Thanks Jack for seeing the future..
In the past week I have done some CGI / API development and then sent it to the customer and .. "it failed to work"... I use XCALL HOSTEX a lot to temporary spawn another program....
Then just out of curiosity I compared the ashell release note from customers version 1680 with my version 1691. (good reason to keep customers up-to date, less to read)
And there it is!, a forwarding thinking fix/tweak that allows my program to work!
Version 6.5.1688.1 (31 July 2020)
4. HOSTEX.SBR refinement: The $ASHELL macro now includes the -cgi switch
if applicable (allowing CGI programs to use HOSTEX to launch subprograms).
Note that this also affects AMOS.SBR in situatons where it is forced to
launch a new session.
Updated customer, and all is well.. Thanks for using your crystal ball... Im now wondering with this skill how many $$ you have placed at the betting office for Tuesday results..