This chapter contains the following topics:
Introduction to the COBOL Configuration File
Accessing a Modified Configuration File
The COBOL configuration file determines several key system values. These values are applied when logging into Passport Business Solutions.
This file controls values for several standard COBOL settings and PBS specific settings. There are several COBOL configuration files as part of a PBS installation.
In Windows you have the cblconfi (main PBS menu access file), cblconfi.fu (for file utilities), cblconfi.in (for initialization utilities), cblconfi.pbsp (for original Lookups and editing Lookup access settings) and cblconfi.pth (for the pathfinder utility.)
In UNIX and Linux you have cblconfi (Thin client), cblconfi.pbsp (Thin client original Lookups), cblconfig (character-based) and cblconfig.pbsp (character-based with original Lookups).
These files are all located in the top-level PBS directory.
The SQL versions of these files have some additional settings such as the server name, database name and more. If you change the SQL Settings in one configuration file you must change them in the others.
|
Note |
If you change the permissions to any of the cblconfi files other users may no longer be able to log into PBS. When modifying and saving the file as an administrator it changes the permissions on the file to administrator only. This has been especially noted for Windows 20012 server. |
There are several sections to the configuration file. Below is a list of the standard settings for the main PBS configuration file and grouped by the sections of Display options, File settings, Printer options and PowerTools settings. If you have an SQL system there are settings for this as well. The second column is the default setting and the third is a description of each.
|
Configuration File Variable |
Default Setting |
Description |
|
Y |
This applies to Windows and Thin client only. Provides the graphical user interface features for the login screen ONLY. Options are Y to use full graphical or anything but Y to not use it. See the Full graphical field in PBS users for the main setting. |
|
|
G |
This applies to Windows and Thin client only. This is the switch for using either the graphical user interface or character based screens. The G is the graphical representation of screens and fields and the C is the character representation. This setting is not to be confused with the FULL_GRAPHICAL setting above which only effects the login and the Full graphical setting in User maintenance which effects PBS screens. |
|
|
(allowed) |
This sets the full graphical fields visually to three dimensions. To turn off this setting add a # to the left of the line.
If you are not set for Full graphical in the User maintenance, then this field has no effect on the Full Graphical screens. |
|
|
RWHELP_MAINT |
1 |
This variable is only included in the cblconfi.pbsp files for the initial install of PBS. Use the PBSP.BAT to access the cblconfi.pbsp configuration file. It is used to access the maintenance of the POPFIL and the Help files used on character mode screens. 0 is off and 1 is on. (1) This environment variable allows the user to access the POPFIL maintenance. Access a GUI screen, Press <Shift-F12> to turn off Full Graphical. Now you can access the POPFIL maintenance by pressing <F8> on specific field. If a specific pop up displays press <F8> again to get to help window. Press <F3>, Change not allowed message will display, press <F2>. POPFIL maintenance will display. In short: F8,F8,F3,F2. (2) This environment variable allows the user to access the Character-based Help maintenance. To access a Character-based screen; if needed, turn off Full Graphical with <F12>. Now you can access the Help maintenance by pressing <F8> on specific field. If a specific look up displays press <F8> again to get to help window. Press <F2>, Prompt will change to display <F2>=Help. Press Esc, F8, F8, and the Character-based Help maintenance will display. In short: F8,F8,F2,Esc,F8,F8. |
|
ICON |
P1.ICO |
This setting applies to Windows and Thin client only. This setting determines the icon that displays in the upper left corner of PBS when it is running. Do not change this setting. This setting is PBS-U.ICO for the cblconfi.fu and PBS-I.ICO for the cblconfi.in configuration files. |
|
(Blank) |
The choices are Y or (blank). If (blank), then the program will open maximized (full window). When set to Y it opens normal (small window). |
|
|
N |
Select N to use Tab as Enter and Y to use Tab as Escape.
The tab key can function like either the Escape key or the Enter key. The Tab = Escape key is the standard for the older Classic, RW32 and early PBS versions. The Tab key = Next field is a Windows standard for moving from one field to the next.
This setting only effects the Character mode screens and does not effect the full graphical screens which always allow the tab key to go to next field. |
|
|
DISABLE_BREAKOUT_FLG |
Blank |
Y is disabled and anything else is enabled. What this does is disable the <F12> key which is what is used to access BreakOut. It also disables the BreakOut button. It may be useful to disable BreakOut in order to prevent users from changing their settings or to prevent users from using BreakOut. |
|
|
|
The following group of five flags are the default font settings. These settings are used if you start PBS with the PBS.BAT batch file. Also, these settings are used if there are no settings found in the start menu shortcut. Start menu shortcuts normally have these settings. |
|
FONT_NAME |
Lucida Console PSI Box Draw |
Default Font. You can use the other fonts installed by the PBS startup and you can also use the system Terminal font.
If you want the batch startup to look like it did in older versions of PBS and RW32 use the Terminal font and set the Bold to 0. Adjust the font size to 11. |
|
FONT_SIZE |
12 |
Default font size |
|
BOLD_STATE |
1 |
1= Bold and 0 = Not bold |
|
ITALIC_STATE |
0 |
1= Use italics and 0 = No italics |
|
FIXED_PITCH_STATE |
1 |
The fixed or variable pitch state. The option is 1 for fixed pitch or 0 for variable pitch. |
|
MAX-FILES |
256 |
We recommend that you never change this setting. This field determines how many files can be opened at one time. If this setting is decreased or removed, you may start getting error messages like |
|
V_VERSION |
4 |
The PBS system defaults to the AcuCOBOL Vision 4 data file format. You should never change this setting unless you are an experienced developer of PBS. The other option is 5 for the AcuCOBOL Vision 5 file types. |
|
USE-SAFE-READ-MODE |
N |
When set to Y this switch forces the AcuCorp runtime to read the records in a safe mode. The N is the fast mode. We prefer the fast mode because the safe mode opens and closes files more slowly, thus slowing the PBS system.
Note that this setting is currently inactive. |
|
COMPRESS-FILES |
1 |
The # symbol in front of the setting determines that this setting is not being used. Do NOT change this. |
|
DISABLE_BREAKOUT_FLG |
(space) |
This setting allows you to turn off <F12> access to BreakOut for the entire PBS system. All companies and all users will not be able to access BreakOut if this is set to Y. If there are BreakOut Settings, the set fields will still operate as it did when BreakOut was disabled. The only difference is that NO user will be allowed to access the BreakOut Settings window with the <F12> key. Y disables BreakOut, N or (space) activates BreakOut |
|
WINDOWS_PRINTING |
Y |
Windows or Thin Client only. This is a flag for using Windows Printing for forms. |
|
WINPRINT-NAMES-ONLY |
1 |
Windows or Thin Client only. This makes the selection of a Windows printer faster. Rather than put all the drivers in memory, it is only putting the driver name into memory. |
|
DISPLAY-LOCAL-PRINTERS-POPUP-SCREEN |
N |
Used only in Windows or Thin Client. When set to Y, this will allow you to use the PSI Printer locator utility on every field in PBS where you can access the Company information printers. This may be useful if you are trouble-shooting a printer problem. |
|
PASS_KPxx_FIL_LOC |
Y |
Required for Canadian Payroll. See the G/L Distributions chapter for information on this setting. |
|
|
|
The remaining fields all relate to PowerTools settings. The PowerTools settings only relate to Data Import. Lookups are no longer used in PBS 12.01 and later. |
|
USE_COLOR |
11 |
This is a PowerTools setting. This is set to 11 for Windows and 13 for UNIX and Linux. Do not change this setting. |
|
USE_PTOOLS |
Y |
This sets the flag to either use the PowerTools Lookups or use the original popups (pre 10.5). It is defaulted on installation to Y. If you want to use the original lookups you can set it to N. There is a configuration file and batch/script that are already set to use the old popups. Type pbsp at the DOS prompt or in UNIX/Linux and the old popups will be accessed without having to change the configuration file. |
|
GUI_MODE_SW |
1 |
This PowerTools flag only affects the Lookups in Windows. PowerTools can be used in character or Windows Lookup modes. There are two options for this switch. The number ‘1’ indicates that the Windows lookups are used and ‘0’ indicates that the PowerTools character lookups are used.
The default in character-based UNIX and Linux is ‘0’. The default for Thin Client is ‘1’ for all environments. |
|
SET_POP_SZ |
2 |
The SET_POP_SZ switch effects the Windows style PowerTools Lookups only and relates to a performance issue.
The setting corresponds to number of records being accessed by the lookup at one time. This will affect the number of records being accessed when using the page up, page down or the arrow keys or buttons. The settings and number of records you can access include: x=11, y=17, z=32, 1=100, 2=200, 3=300, 4=400, 5=500, 6=600, 7=700, 8=800, 9=900 and A=1000.
The default for this field is 200 records. Although it is typed as 200 in the configuration file, only the first number is actually read and just the number ‘2’ is the same.
If you are running a slower computer and you find the access to the Lookups is a little sluggish, then set the size to a smaller number of records accessed and the performance should improve.
Note: you can also tune the record access for individual Lookups. If only one or a few. Lookups are causing an issue, then see theLookup Design chapter for more information. |
|
SET_POP_ID |
N |
This setting is used in the PowerTools character lookups only and is defaulted to ‘N’. When set to Y a column displays on the left side of the lookup that displays a number for each line. To use the line you can enter the number rather than moving to the item with the arrow keys and then selecting the item with <Enter>. |
|
SET_OS |
W |
The default setting is W for windows. |
|
PT_MENU_FONT_NAME |
Lucida Console PSI Box Draw |
Any valid font name could be used, but a mono-spaced font will provide a more accurate display. |
|
PT_MENU_FONT_SIZE |
10 |
Font size range is 8 - 14 |
|
PT_MENU_BOLD_STATE |
1 |
0 is not bold and 1 is |
|
SET_POP_SEL_CTRL |
LINE |
The Lookup focus refers to the where the cursor first lands when a Lookup is displayed. The Lookup focus options include: # LINE = First line # INDEX = Sort-by # SEARCH = Search field # AUTO = This depends on number of records. If there are more records than will fit in the window, then the focus is on the INDEX (Sort-by). If they are the same as or less than the number that will fit in the Window, then the focus is on the LINE. |
|
PT_MENU_FONT_NAME |
Tahoma |
Any valid font name could be used, but a mono-spaced font will provide a more accurate display. |
|
PT_MENU_FONT_SIZE |
9 |
Font size range 8 - 14 |
|
PT_MENU_BOLD_STATE |
0 |
0 is not bold and 1 is |
|
USE_GUI_PANEL |
YES |
Yes uses the Graphical User Interface for PowerTools. No uses the character based PowerTools interface. |
|
PT_SCR_FONT_NAME |
Tahoma |
Any valid font name could be used, but a mono-spaced font will provide a more accurate display. |
|
PT_SCR_FONT_SIZE |
9 |
Font size range 8 - 14 |
|
PT_SCR_BOLD_STATE |
1 |
0 is not bold and 1 is |
|
PT_LU_FONT_TYPE |
Small |
The default is large. This setting is not active and you must remove the pound symbol to make it active. Options include Small=Small system font Large=Large system font
|
|
|
WT |
The default is white. This setting is not active and you must remove the pound symbol to make it active. White=WT CN=Cyan YW=Yellow |
|
PT_LU_LIST_COLOR |
WT |
The default is white. This setting is not active and you must remove the pound symbol to make it active. White=WT CN=Cyan YW=Yellow |
|
|
SQL Settings. The remaining settings below apply to PBS running in SQL. They are automatically produced/defaulted by the PBS SQL install program. Normally you do not have to change these settings. |
|
|
PBSSQL_DEFAULT_CONNECTION |
None |
This is automatically produced by the install program. |
|
PBSSQL_DEFAULT_DATABASE |
pbsdata |
This is automatically produced by the install program. |
|
PBSSQL_MASTER_DATABASE |
None |
This is automatically produced by the install program. Normally is pbsmaster. |
|
SQLDB_FLG |
Y |
This is automatically produced by the install program. |
|
SQLDB_TYP |
MSSQL |
This is automatically produced by the install program. |
|
4GL_ILLEGAL_DATA |
Unchanged |
This is automatically produced by the install program. |
|
XFD_DIRECTORY |
4GLXFD |
This is automatically produced by the install program. |
|
A_MSSQL_ADD_TIMESTAMP |
1 |
This is automatically produced by the install program. |
|
A_MSSQL_ODBC_DRIVER_NAME |
11.0 |
Native client is needed 11.0 |
|
A_MSSQL_NT_AUTHENTICATION |
1 |
Do not change this |
|
A_MSSQL_DEFAULT_CONNECTION |
None |
This is automatically produced by the install program. |
|
A_MSSQL_LOCK_DB |
None |
This is automatically produced by the install program. |
|
A_MSSQL_ADD_IDENTITY |
1 |
This is automatically produced by the install program. |
|
#A_MSSQL_LOGIN |
Not active |
You may change this setting to indicate a login for MSSQL. To make it active you must remove the # symble at the beginning of the variable |
|
#A_MSSQL_PASSWD |
Not active |
You may change this setting to a password corresponding to the MSSQL_LOGIN above. To make it active you must remove the # symble at the beginning of the variable |
|
PBS_VERSION |
|
This is the PBS version |
|
PBS_INSTALLATION_TYPE |
|
It is either a first time install or a database-in-place install |
|
ACUSQL_RUNTIME_DLL |
asqlsrvr.dll |
This is the ACUSQL driver. Do not change this |
|
ASQL_ODBC_DRIVER_NAME |
SQL Server Native Client 11.0 |
This setting is needed for ACUSQL. Native client 11.0 must be installed on the server and each client that accesses PBS. |
|
FILE_IO_PEEKS_MESSAGES |
1 |
This configuration variable tells the Windows runtime to automatically call the Windows PeekMessage() API function between file operations. |
For most situations you will never need to change the COBOL configuration file. But, in the case where certain settings need to be different per workstation then you will need to change this file.
If you require different PowerTools settings per workstation in a Passport Business Solutions environment, you must first copy the COBOL configuration file, rename it and then modify the Windows or shortcut, batch or script so that it accesses the new file.
All the Passport Business Solutions shortcuts, batches and scripts, including administrative utilities, access a cblconfi configuration file. You can copy any cblconfig file to a new name. Then you can modify the shortcut, batch or script to gain access to the new configuration file.To change a configuration file, simply copy and rename it, then modify the line that you need.
For example, one of the users may want to access the character Lookups from their workstation. To do this copy the cblconfi to cblconfi.new. Then in the cblconfi.new change one of the settings.
Save the file.
Then at the workstation go to
START > PROGRAMS > PBS
Right click on the shortcut that the user prefers and select the properties. The target field will look something like the following.
P:\ PBS\wrun32.exe -w -c CBLCONFI ACUSTART.ACU RWC
To access the new configuration file change the line to be the following.
P:\ PBS\wrun32.exe -w -c CBLCONFI.NEW ACUSTART.ACU RWC
Any change to the configuration file requires a restart of Passport Business Solutions before the change goes into effect.