White Paper: Pinpoint Migration Services for COBOL

Introduction

In the past, the combination of COBOL and a vendor-specific, proprietary file system was a popular theme. Hardware vendors such as Data General, Digital Equipment and Hewlett Packard built their fortunes on marketing the popular COBOL compiler to operate on their specific platform. Thousands of applications were developed for these platforms during the eighties and early nineties. The introduction of the Open Systems operating models and the increasing popularity of Windows NT have brought many changes: these systems are reliable, affordable, offer dramatic performance improvements and expansion options, along with significant reductions in maintenance expenses.

Every major computer vendor has created an Open Systems offering. As companies seek to take advantage of these new systems they quickly discover that their familiar COBOL and database application environments are unsupported under UNIX and Windows. In addition, system macros, batch operations and user management are completely different. At a minimum, most businesses must retain application functionality, historical and current data collections and basic support for the user community. This poses a significant challenge for IT Management: not only must computer professionals learn a new operating system, they must devise a plan for migrating their current application to Open Systems.

Our Pinpoint Cobol Migration Service addresses each of these common migration issues. The conversion services provided under Pinpoint will successfully "re-host" any legacy COBOL application to any major UNIX platform, including LINUX, IBM, HP PA-RISC, DEC Alpha, and many more. The Pinpoint service may also be used to target Microsoft Windows and Windows Server.

The entire software environment, (COBOL programs, macros and data), is transferred to the new platform and guaranteed to operate correctly. This is achieved without the expense, liability and time required to re-engineer the software, thereby protecting the substantial investments made in these applications.

What Is Pinpoint?

The Pinpoint service is a mature, proven methodology that involves the largely automated translation of legacy COBOL code into industry standard COBOL. The Pinpoint migration process yields native software applications, taking full advantage of the host operating system. There is an important distinction between our service and other companies that offer migrations: With Pinpoint there is simply no interpretive subset of COBOL. There are no database emulations, servers or proprietary runtime systems involved. We have found that there is no valid reason to impose an additional layer of code between your application and the operating system. We feel that conversion methods that employ these techniques detract from overall performance and permanently tie your applications to a proprietary third party. With the Pinpoint migration service, the resulting programs belong to you are guaranteed to operate on the platform of your choice.

The Pinpoint service will address COBOL programs written for a variety of legacy platforms including:

Data General MV/Family computers, running RDOS, AOS, AOS/VS, and AOS/VS II

DEC platforms running VMS

Hewlett Packard

IBM

and many others...

The conversion process is often tedious and requires a thorough understanding of the differences between a given proprietary implementation of COBOL and industry standard COBOL. There are, for example, many semantic differences that will compile correctly but produce undesirable results at runtime. Each conversion project poses unique challenges in coding style, degree of complexity, etc. Our conversation staff has the experience to handle even the most complex COBOL code.

Pinpoint Features

Some of the many issues we routinely handle are:

Semantic conversions of elements which compile correctly but yield invalid results
All aspects of the SCREEN SECTION Record locking syntax is parameterized, so as to work correctly on the new platform
Host-specific runtime switches, including those passed during inter-program communication
Proprietary file I/O syntaxes are handled, including READ PREVIOUS, READ MANDATORY, READ APPROXIMATE, READ STATIC etc.
Variable type-checking is adjusted to operate with the stronger type-checking of the merchant compilers
Support for several UNIX-based filing systems, (all with available 4GL retrofit), including C-ISAM
Conversion of all legacy macros used in the application, including batch control
Programs using forms control for special stationary
External keys and split keys
Syntax conversion
Parameterization of function key handling, to facilitate dynamic remapping of function keys, depending upon which type of terminal is used
Host-specific system calls, including calls to the DG/CLI, VMS-Shell, etc.
Identification of elements which cannot be converted automatically, which we flag and repair manually
Data file conversions, complete with adjustments for byte-length, floating-point byte ordering issues and overpunched data types
Extensive testing and on-site implementation services
Complete (UNIX) terminfo setup for optimum performance under UNIX. This allows you to reuse your existing legacy terminals
Full training for your staff to enable them to continue ongoing support in this open environment

Methodology and Pricing

The Pinpoint migration product suite is a cost-effective migration alternative. It is difficult to arrive at a set price for a given conversion due to varying degrees of complexity, differences in coding techniques and customizations. Therefore, we request that interested parties submit a representative sample of programs for a no-cost, no-obligation code review. Typically, 7 to 10 sample COBOL programs, along with the appropriate databases and macros are sufficient. This will allow the conversion staff to study the programming style used by your company and determine the best method for conversion.

The review phase usually takes 2-3 weeks. Afterwards, we will return the programs to you, fully converted for UNIX or Windows, with instructions for loading and testing. Following a conversion of the sample code, we will provide a detailed quote for your migration project. Although each conversion is unique, Pinpoint is extremely affordable and delivers outstanding value. In addition, our on-site implementation service is recommended to ensure a smooth transition.

It all begins with your existing application. The Pinpoint service guarantees a compete migration of sources, macros and applications to the Open platform of your choice.

The Pinpoint Migration Service assures a high-quality expression of your favorite COBOL programs on Open Systems. With a combination of automated filters and hand-tuning, our experienced staff will compile and thoroughly test each program. Converted programs are guaranteed to function exactly as they did on their original platforms. In addition we will convert Host-specific macros to shell scripts so that original functionality is retained. Each system database will be transferred and rebuilt for operation under the new system. Finally, we will implement the new application on the system and platform of your choosing.

Enhance your new software environment further with office automation. For those clients transitioning character-based applications to UNIX, our EZ/Mail software provides enterprise e-mail, complete document management, fax support, meeting/calendar/resource scheduling, personal productivity toolkit and more. The Pinpoint Migration Service has removed the proprietary elements of your COBOL application. Explore the world of 4GLs for rapid application development, industry-standard report writing and more! With UNIX Operating Systems Universal Data's Pinpoint Migration Service gives you the freedom of choice to host your character-based legacy COBOL applications on literally thousands of different UNIX platforms. With Microsoft Windows For those clients seeking to add a GUI interface to their COBOL legacy, the Pinpoint service will provide smooth transition to Microsoft Windows and Windows NT, with complete support for SQL-Server and ODBC.

Platform Independence

The migration service will remove the proprietary elements of your COBOL application, creating new opportunities for integration with 4GLs, industry-standard report writers, and more. Following a successful move to Open Systems, your MIS staff will continue to be productive with COBOL.