There are a couple of options available when considering replacing a VisualAge Generator Project with COBOL:

• Re-write Project

• Convert VisualAge Generator to COBOL

This document discusses each of these options.

Replace Project 

We do offer an alternative to an expensive rewrite of a project with our BW*Wizard code generator. We can build new systems very rapidly and cheaply.  If you have systems that are largely table-maintenance in function, it may be counter-intuitive, but this is actually the best and least expensive option available.  For example, if you send us the 'create table' SQL/DDL for a couple of tables, in a couple of hours we can build list and maintenance programs for these tables, ready to be tested, with well-structured, error-free code that looks like the very best hand-written code.  Even if you have extensive business logic, replacing an old, hard to maintain system with a new well-structured one can be a powerful incentive to move in this direction, especially when the cost is reasonable.  For some companies, the idea of moving to a web browser interface with Java servlets can push them in this direction, and BW*Wizard even offers an option to build CICS COBOL programs which are called from the Java servlets to do all the SQL or VSAM database I/O, allowing business logic to remain in COBOL, where the developers may have more skills.

Convert to COBOL

For sites with strong COBOL skills and weak VA GENERATOR 4GL skills, this is a good solution, since the converted code can be maintained by COBOL/CICS programmers using your standard code management tools.  Bridgewater has an automated process to convert VA GENERATOR ESF into native COBOL / CICS / BMS, so the conversion process is not expensive, but the converted code must all be tested.  If you are renting the VA GENERATOR software now, the savings could pay for the conversion.  The converted code will also use significantly less CPU cycles per transaction, and this saving in MIPS can translate into dollars.  Another side benefit of moving to a CICS/BMS system is that it allows the use of the IBM CICS/TS CWS option to put an HTML web front-end on the BMS maps, allowing a very inexpensive web interface to the system.

Programs generated from VA GENERATOR make heavy use of runtime routines, which impair performance. A CICS transaction converted to COBOL often uses 5 times less CPU cycles. The runtime routines also have associated fees, which can be eliminated.

VA Generator runtime requires up-to-date versions of OS/390, COBOL, and LE.  Some sites find these requirements to be a show-stopper. VA Generator requires high-powered developer PCs and servers, developer training and code management changes. VA GENERATOR and VisualAge Generator require rare specialized programming skills that can be difficult to acquire and retain.

Converted COBOL can be maintained using existing development and code management tools, without staff-training issues.

Steps

• Take inventory – often companies will find that a number of applications are no longer being used

• Validate Applications – don’t assume the applications are all correct, we often find errors and/or that the VA GENERATOR source and executables do not match

• The VA GENERATOR programs are exported from MSLs into ESF (an 80-byte text file)

• The ESF files are downloaded and sent to Bridgewater

• ESF is converted into COBOL source, copybooks and BMS

• Converted code is moved to the target development region

• PPT, PCT, RCT CICS entries are created, DB2 Plans are created and bound

• A copy of the original VA GENERATOR system is kept in another development region so that a parallel test can be run

• Customer tests the Project(s) and Bridgewater fixes any conversion problems

• Whether you decide to re-write or convert your VisualAge Generator Project, Bridgewater can help.

For more information, please contact us at information@bridgewater.com or call (858) 486-5755.

We are an eight year old San Diego based software development and professional services firm dedicated to helping organizations significantly reduce application development times without sacrificing current best practices or maintenance procedures

• Certified Sun Java, IBM VisualAge Java and DB2 consultants

• We have over 100 satisfied clients around the world including Avon Products, Pershing Brokerage, Hyundai, IBM, and USDA

• Our flagship product is BW*Wizard: a code generator which significantly increases the productivity of application development teams by producing pure source code (Java, COBOL, or VisualAge Generator) in minutes that would take days to hand code

• We have worked with VA GENERATOR since 1980

• In 1990, we developed a VA GENERATOR-to-COBOL converter, called BWCBLGEN

• We have worked closely with the IBM RTP Lab, and have performed VisualAge Generator training and consulting for IBM in the US, Europe, Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, and Korea

• Security Pacific Bank: when moving a distributed loan system back to a central CICS system, we reduced the CPU load by converting the most-used transactions

• SDGE: we converted the cash payment and booking system as well as two other systems to enable SDGE to discontinue their VA GENERATOR license, and to use their COBOL-skilled staff to maintain the system

• Unigroup (United Van Lines): we converted  a system for a group that had a skill shortage – they could not find developers with the 4GL skills

• Michelin: we converted all their VA Generator code to COBOL, because the 4GL was not supported at their site, and they wanted to save the runtime license costs

References can be supplied upon request.

About Bridgewater  BW*Wizard  Presentations  Services  Partner Page 

JAVA  COBOL  VAGen  Overview  How does it work?  White Papers 

Customer Quotes  Support  Contact Us