Mainframe
COBOL to Java, C#
& Cloud
A successful mainframe modernization strategy must preserve core business logic while integrating with modern cloud architectures. SoftwareMining's automated COBOL-to-Java translation tools make this possible by enabling rapid, secure, and verifiable migrations to AWS, Azure, or private clouds. Our proven approach removes the risks of manual rewrites and produces maintainable, object oriented code that performs reliably at enterprise scale.
Many organizations are modernizing not only to cut mainframe costs but also to gain agility, scalability, and access to modern DevOps practices - all without disrupting mission critical operations.
Testing is often the most time consuming phase of modernization. Whether the goal is rehosting with Micro Focus or full COBOL-to-Java translation, verifying functional equivalence can dominate project schedules.
SoftwareMining's automated translation framework reduces this burden by ensuring consistent behavior between COBOL and Java. It removes most manual verification, speeds up delivery, and maintains full traceability for both auditors and developers.
Modernizing COBOL systems to Java provides a long term solution that supports cloud ready architectures and scalable enterprise growth. This approach offers several key benefits:
To explore alternative modernization paths, see the Comparison of COBOL Migration Strategies, which explains the five main "R" approaches to modernization.
The most efficient and low risk way to modernize mainframe COBOL applications is by using a proven automated translator. SoftwareMining's COBOL-to-Java and C# tools generate clean, maintainable, and functionally equivalent code ready for cloud deployment. For details on specific conversion features, see the COBOL to Java Conversion FAQ.
Modern Java application servers already provide many of the transaction and session features offered by IBM CICS. To support mainframe modernization, the COBOL-to-Java translator must generate code that takes advantage of these Java based capabilities. See Approach to Migration of CICS COBOL to Java for details.
Mainframe screen definitions written in BMS or MFS can be automatically converted to modern HTML pages that use technologies such as JSP, Razor, or ASP. This step is essential for replacing terminal based interfaces with web ready designs.
The translated code also replaces cryptic BMS commands with clear, meaningful statements that new developers can easily understand. This improves maintainability and readability across all refactored modules. See Converting legacy BMS operations to meaningful statements for more details.
Many COBOL systems still rely on VSAM or KSDS files for data storage. As part of modernization, these datasets must be migrated to relational or cloud databases to ensure scalability and compatibility.
SoftwareMining's automated converter simplifies this process by generating SQL schemas that mirror existing VSAM structures. It maps record layouts, keys, and relationships into normalized tables, enabling a seamless transition from indexed files to modern database platforms. CICS APIs that previously accessed VSAM data are refactored into Object Relational components that manage SQL access. For more information, see Mainframe CICS VSAM to Java Conversion.
The migration utilities also handle EBCDIC to ASCII character conversion, preserving data integrity and ensuring full compatibility with Java applications.
Legacy COBOL applications often use IBM MQ or similar queueing systems to exchange messages between modules. During modernization, the translated Java system can continue communicating with existing MQ queues for phased testing and integration.
After deployment, the same messaging interfaces can be configured to use any enterprise or open source message broker, providing flexibility and cloud portability. SoftwareMining's translation framework ensures that messaging logic remains intact while enabling integration with modern Java based systems.
A complete modernization must include the conversion of legacy JCL scripts into formats that work in cloud or distributed environments. SoftwareMining's JCL translation utility automatically transforms mainframe job control into readable and maintainable Unix or Windows scripts. This makes legacy workloads easier for modern development teams to understand and manage. See JCL Translation for details.
Many COBOL systems use embedded SQL (EXEC SQL) statements designed for mainframe DB2. During modernization, these statements must be converted to Java or C# dialects that use standard parameterized queries instead of COBOL host variables or null indicators. See COBOL + EXEC SQL to Java/C# Conversion for more details.
To improve performance, the converter optimizes SQL communication, reducing network round trips between the application and the database. This is especially important when connecting Java or C# systems to DB2 or other remote databases. See Detecting Performance Bottlenecks for optimization guidance.
When modernizing systems that use IMS databases or proprietary data files, an intermediate data access layer may be required. This layer ensures that hierarchical data can be accessed and updated using standard SQL operations while preserving existing business logic.
Assembler modules should be reviewed individually during modernization. In many cases, they can be replaced with equivalent Java libraries that provide the same functionality within a modern framework. This simplifies maintenance and improves long term flexibility compared to COBOL or Assembler code.
For detailed guidance on CICS, JCL, and data conversion solutions, see the related sections on SoftwareMining's website.
