COBOL

Provides tokenization-based syntax colorization for 5+ COBOL dialects (Rocket COBOL, ACUCOBOL-GT, COBOL-IT, RMCOBOL, ILECOBOL) and related languages (JCL, PL/I, HLASM, REXX) with awareness of COBOL's fixed-format column structure (columns 1-6 sequence area, 7 indicator area, 8-11 area A, 12-72 area B). Uses dialect-specific keyword and reserved word definitions to apply context-aware colorization inline within the VS Code editor without requiring external compilation or language server.

Provides real-time code completion for COBOL keywords, intrinsic functions, and copybook names triggered via VS Code's standard IntelliSense UI (Ctrl+Space). Generates completion suggestions in three case variants (lowercase, UPPERCASE, CamelCase) based on dialect-specific keyword definitions and current editor context. Completion is triggered on partial keyword input and filters suggestions by prefix matching without requiring external language server or network calls.

Offers optional keybinding configuration that emulates xedit (IBM mainframe editor) keyboard shortcuts, allowing developers familiar with mainframe editing environments to use familiar key combinations in VS Code. Keybindings are optional and can be enabled/disabled via extension settings, providing a bridge for mainframe developers transitioning to modern IDEs.

Implements configurable tab key behavior that respects COBOL's fixed-format column structure (columns 1-6 sequence area, 7 indicator area, 8-11 area A, 12-72 area B). Tab key can be configured to jump to the next COBOL column boundary (e.g., from column 7 to column 8, or from column 11 to column 12) rather than inserting spaces, enabling rapid navigation within fixed-format constraints. Reduces manual spacing and improves editing efficiency in fixed-format COBOL.

Supports development container workflows (VS Code Dev Containers) that include COBOL compilation and debugging tools (Visual COBOL, Rocket COBOL). Enables developers to use the extension within containerized development environments that provide COBOL compiler, debugger, and mainframe connectivity without requiring local installation. Integrates with VS Code's Dev Containers extension to provide seamless COBOL development in isolated, reproducible environments.

Enables rapid navigation within COBOL programs by parsing program structure (IDENTIFICATION DIVISION, ENVIRONMENT DIVISION, DATA DIVISION, PROCEDURE DIVISION, sections, paragraphs) and exposing navigation shortcuts via VS Code's command palette and breadcrumb UI. Implements outline/breadcrumb generation that reflects COBOL's hierarchical structure, allowing developers to jump to specific divisions, sections, or paragraphs without scrolling through large files. Uses static parsing of COBOL keywords to identify structural boundaries.

Allows developers to drag copybook files (.cpy, .cblcopy, .cobcopy) from the file explorer and drop them into COBOL source code, automatically generating a COPY statement with the copybook name. Integrates with VS Code's drag-and-drop API to detect copybook file types and insert the appropriate COBOL COPY syntax without manual typing. Reduces friction in including external data structures and common code segments.

Renders visual markers on VS Code's minimap and overview ruler to highlight COBOL program structure boundaries (divisions, sections, paragraphs) with customizable colors for each structural level. Implements VS Code's decoration API to overlay colored regions on the minimap, allowing developers to quickly identify program structure at a glance without reading code. Colors are configurable per structural level (division, section, paragraph) with separate light and dark theme variants and alpha transparency control.

Implements a configurable linter that validates COBOL source code against user-defined or built-in rules for internal coding standards (naming conventions, indentation, comment placement, keyword capitalization). Uses pattern matching and static analysis to identify violations without compilation or external services. Violations are reported inline in the VS Code editor with diagnostic messages, allowing developers to fix issues before committing code.

Implements a find-all-references feature that locates all occurrences of a selected COBOL identifier (variable name, paragraph name, section name) within the current file and workspace using text-based pattern matching. Results are displayed in VS Code's Find Results panel with file location and line number, enabling developers to understand identifier usage and impact of potential refactoring. Uses case-sensitive or case-insensitive matching based on COBOL dialect conventions.

Enables renaming of COBOL identifiers (variable names, paragraph names, section names) across a file or workspace using text-based find-and-replace with case-preserving substitution. Renames all occurrences of the selected identifier while attempting to preserve the original case pattern (e.g., 'myVar' → 'newVar', 'MY-VAR' → 'NEW-VAR'). Integrated with VS Code's rename refactoring UI (F2 key).

Provides a suite of automated code formatting utilities accessible via command palette to standardize COBOL source code: (1) column number removal — strips sequence numbers from columns 73-80 in fixed-format COBOL; (2) program identification area removal — removes columns 1-6 (sequence area) and column 7 (indicator area); (3) comment removal — strips all comment lines (lines with '*' in column 7); (4) keyword/field case conversion — converts keywords and identifiers to uppercase, lowercase, or mixed case; (5) column number resequencing — regenerates sequence numbers in columns 73-80; (6) storage item alignment — aligns data structure definitions for readability. Each utility operates on the current file or selection.

Provides a utility to convert COBOL string literals (text in quotes) to hexadecimal representation for use in COBOL MOVE or VALUE statements. Converts selected text to hex format (e.g., 'ABC' → 'X'414243') and inserts the result into the editor. Useful for handling non-printable characters, binary data, or EBCDIC-encoded strings in mainframe COBOL.