COBOL Code Bases Continue to Grow, on Tier 1 Application Tinkering

Do not go gentle into that very good night…

COBOL, the programming language commonly utilized to run Tier one/mission-critical programs on mainframe computers – and commonly believed of in some stylish younger corners to be a relic of the dim ages – is really in impolite very good health and fitness.

Which is according to a new survey by Micro Concentration today, which finds that just after much more than sixty many years in the production natural environment, COBOL code bases are – most likely startlingly to some – continuing to mature, as enterprises modernise programs.

In limited, if COBOL ended up a man or woman it would now be holding a Freedom Go – but making much more use of it than numerous predicted. (“Do not go gentle into that very good night”)

COBOL Apps Normal nine.nine Million Lines… 

The normal COBOL code foundation,now runs to nine.nine million strains, vs . eight.4 million in 2017 – reflecting ongoing expenditure, re-use and growth in core company systems by individuals operating programs prepared in the language, Micro Concentration uncovered.

Describing it as a “dependable option that will carry on to mature and thrive”, Chris Livesey, Micro Focus’s senior VP of software modernisation and connectivity stated: “Thanks to the unique design’s readability, adaptability and portability, COBOL adds large worth for businesses as a trustworthy option.”

(The survey further more uncovered that 70 per cent of enterprises expect to modernise existing programs as component of their strategic modify programmes, instead than retiring them, though sixty three per cent stated that they will be improving existing COBOL systems in 2020.)

So what do individuals modernising programs prepared in/all around COBOL need to have to be significantly knowledgeable of? Pc Small business Critique requested the experts…

Modernising Your COBOL Apps

Thilo Rockmann, Chairman and COO, Switzerland’s LzLabs, informed us on a call: “The critical detail is that the new natural environment, where ever that sits, integrates neatly into the development chain of whatsoever you are heading to develop…”

“If there are breaks from an enterprise viewpoint between what you are heading to produce in one particular spot and [how that brings together with] a different development chain, or development method, you will always have friction.

“This is one particular of the locations where by enterprises usually have troubles, as if you want to preserve COBOL programs operating on a mainframe that follow a different cycle to your Java, Python, development, that can cause challenges.”

See also: Swisscom Dumps Mainframes for Non-public Cloud – Cuts IT Prices sixty%

He additional: “The approach wants to be as incremental as possible.

“The language alone is fewer of an challenge. A lengthy time in the past I had to preserve some COBOL code and it wasn’t that difficult, despite my primarily (beforehand) using C++ and Java.

“What is critical for builders is the potential to test the new code that you wrote all around the mainframe, and test it in the natural environment where by your builders sit, and not require selected hrs [time slots] to do it on the mainframe.

“[Improvements are generally vital to] run your mainframe much more effectively: if you run it inefficiently you are heading to spend a lot much more: significant mainframe programs use a lot of CPU time…”

Keith Banham, mainframe R&D supervisor at Macro 4, additional: “Modernising mainframe programs can involve a array of different selections. Enterprises shouldn’t mechanically go down the route of rewriting code or re-platforming devoid of building an over-all system that normally takes account a amount of different components.”

“Cost is certainly an critical thought.

“The assumption is that mainframe pricing is high relative to other platforms – so numerous organisations want to go as considerably as possible off the mainframe to lessen MIPS usage. However, IBM has launched new pricing selections you need to look at. Now, if you are operating new workloads, you can use the new Tailored In good shape Pricing, which is more simple, normally much more expense successful and closer to the Cloud/SaaS usage model. So, really do not assume – do your sums and see if it is really worth the go.”

Finally, of system, company leaders need to have to weigh up the dangers of re-creating code vs . the dangers of a long run absence of mainframe techniques weighing them up in opposition to the dangers of company interruption posed by a significant migration off mainframes.

Succession setting up also has to be taken into account. For the reason that there is a whole lot of COBOL code out there and it clearly is not wafting off the cloud whenever shortly.

See also: MIPS Go Mad: IBM Hits “Historical” Mainframe Highs