Gates, Scott ([log in to unmask]) wrote: : I need to get a COBOL program to accept command line input : if that's possible. : I know I can use an ACCEPT statement in the program, but : this stops the program from running waiting for input if the program is : being run by a UDC. : I'd like it to run the program and if the PARAM is blank, : skip it. : Like this : RUN PROGNAME.progxl SWITCH If your goal is to have the program begin execution at one of several predefined points, consider using alternate entry points. See my article, "COBOL II/iX Enhancements," starting on page 150 of the MPE/iX 6.0 Communicator. Walter Murray Hewlett-Packard Support Technology Lab