HTWC's Automatic Easytrieve to COBOL Conversion - Htwc.it

WHY COBOL?• COBOL I/O handling and memory management are moreefficient.• COBOL sorting and searching is more efficient.• COBOL coexists better with other languages and environments.• COBOL skills are available in the labor market for programsupport• Easy extensibility to Easytrieve reports via standard COBOLprogramming• Ability to port on a plethora of platforms supporting COBOL• Enhanced debugging capabilities of the compilersEasytrieve programs for use with the batch conversion utility4. Compile and Test: Due to the thorough POC, the compileand test phase tends to be A straight forward user testing basedupon predefined scenarios:.The following types are supported;• DB2® (Native and Easytrieve mode)• IMS (DL1)• VSAM, QSAM and Sequential files• Tape files• Tape files and unit record devicesTHE Easytrieve to COBOL CONVERSION PROCESSEasytrieve to COBOL conversion process is performed as following:Proof of Concept: We initially convert 3 - 4 programs so the client/partner can evaluate the result and refine the conversion specification1. Code understanding: Programs and artifacts are analyzed byCommand types supportedThere is an automatic support of some 90 different commands.Following is a sample excerptEASTTRIEVE - COBOL - COMMANDS SUPPORTEDType Statement Parameters SubParameters ManagedActivity Definition JOB INPUT KEY YAssignement Statement EQ/= YDecision and Branching IF CONDITON CONDITON YDecision and Branching IF CONDITION NUMERIC/ALPHAYBETIC/SPACE[S]/ZERO[S]/HIGH-VALUE/LOW-VALUEDecision and Branching DO WHILE CONDITION YDecision and Branching DO UNTIL CONDITION YInput/Output Specification DISPLAY POS YInput/Output Specification DISPLAY COL YInput/Output Specification POINT CONDITION YInput/Output Specification READ KEY CONDITION YInput/Output Specification WRITE UPDATE YInput/Output Specification WRITE DELETE YInput/Output Specification WRITE ADD YReport Processing REPORT SPACE YTable Processing SEARCH YInclude Statement COPY text copied YInclude Statement MACRO insert copycobolSQL statement SQL Copied in CobolProgramYYa process similar to a compiler. The process creates a completeworklfow of the software defining a cross reference.2. Customization: The result of cross reference is analyzedand some customized rules are defined to improve the outputconversion.3. Transformation: The automated conversion process isperformed, generating COBOL sources which are checkedand compiled. A discovery utility can help locate and centralize“Application Modernization means toremove the complexity, cost and cumbersomeattributes from applications, whilst preservingtheir asset value. Many projects appear verycomplex due to the variety and nature of thelegacy applications. In HTWC we have founda partner who addresses this, by convertingthe legacy applications into a ModernCOBOL, from which we have the tools andmethodologies to convert into .NET or Java”Barry Ryan, Senior Manager Irish LifeExpert references available upon request