COBOL
Re-engineering

Organizations running mission-critical COBOL applications on a mainframe have invested vast amounts of time and money in these applications. It is reported by industry analysts that around 60% of the world’s business data is still processed using COBOL on a mainframe. The need for Web-based solutions and an SOA environment represents the newest, and perhaps the largest, challenge for IT departments in many organizations.

Dynasty has a specialized team offering tools and services for moving legacy business assets to more modern environments. The applications are re-engineered into Java by means of the SPIDER tool and can be easily integrated into any open architecture system. The resulting software will run on modern equipment and can provide Web-based solutions.

The advantages of this approach include:

  • Graphic interfaces are Web-enabled
  • Converted screens retain the original functionality
  • There is no need for expensive user training
  • The organization can continue to use established procedures

SPIDER Re-engineering Tool for Source Code Modernization

The SPIDER re-engineering tool assists developers in the porting and re-engineering of legacy COBOL or other legacy source code into Java. SPIDER is a platform-independent toolset to remotely facilitate, manage, control, and monitor batch conversions and real-time services for the customer. These batch processing services can be executed on multiple hosts and can be activated from multiple work-stations, which can also serve as clients of those hosts. All hosts and work-stations are activated as Java virtual machines with which all elements of the system can interact via TCP/IP.

Challenge

Total re-engineering of a large Cobol based application to Java:

  • Proprietary source definitions (screen and/or server)
  • CICS or BMS screen definitions or other proprietary screen source
  • Server application logic
  • Database access and data manipulation logic

Solution

Perform analysis and use SPIDER tool to perform batch conversion process:

  • Application structure analysis and constraints
  • Source scanning grammar adaptation
  • Automatic source transformation into SPIDER intermediate language
  • Developer review/revision of transformed code
  • Generation of JAVA target source code
  • Run and testing in target environment

Results

Staff of 4 was able to deliver re-engineered system within 6 months:

  • Generated Java Source for Client/Server
  • Server logic for screen/GUI management revised (automatic)
  • 2000 screens converted from legacy BMS to Java client GUI (automatic)

For more information please send an email to: re-eng@dynasty.com