External data can be shared between an ILE COBOL program and an ILE C program. In order for the data item to be shared, it must be defined with the same name and description in the ILE COBOL program and the ILE C program. If the external data that is to be shared between the ILE C program and the ILE COBOL program is defined with different sizes in the programs, then the size of the external data item will be forced to that defined with the extern keyword in the ILE C program.
The ILE COBOL program and the ILE C program must be statically bound together in order for the external data item to be shared.
In the ILE COBOL program, the data item must be described with the EXTERNAL clause in the Working Storage Section. See Sharing EXTERNAL Data or refer to the section on the EXTERNAL clause in the ILE C for a further description of how external data is used in an ILE COBOL program.
In the ILE C program, the data item must be declared using the extern keyword. Refer to WebSphere Development Studio: ILE C/C++ Programmer's Guide for a detailed description of the extern keyword.
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