Softwaremining

SoftwareMining is a software company specializing in transformation tools for the modernization of legacy COBOL applications. SoftwareMining's modernization approach is to help clients move their COBOL Software Applications to a maintainable Java or code base, thus removing dependencies on a diminishing pool of legacy resources (see Aging Workforce in Europe).
SoftwareMining's modernization approach focus's on applying automatic re-factoring and re-architecture during the translation process. The translation system also attempts to:
* removal of unused COBOL Data Structure from each program
* normalization and reuse of COBOL structures
* automatic extraction of "Business-Objects" from PROCEDURE DIVISION code
The approach is designed generate a layered Object Oriented Java or C# system.
The translation objectives have been set to legibility and Maintainable of generated code, close to that produced by manual rewrite. SoftwareMining uses many Artificial Intelligence techniques in order to achieve this.
The translated Java or C# code uses a framework-based approach, where code from several Open Source libraries such as Apache Tomcat, Log4j and Log4Net are referenced. In addition to these libraries, SoftwareMining also distributes its own set of libraries to cater for additional facilities needed by the system. SoftwareMining is currently investigating incorporation of Spring Framework into their libraries.
Additionally the system can Extract Business Rules from COBOL code.
through a process of Program slicing, (isolating statements which operate on one or more "Variables Of Interest"). The extracted rules can then be saved as:
* COBOL rule / program
* Translated to Psuedo Natural Language (English like) format. This is used for program documentation.
* Translated to Java or C# rule / program
Whilst this approach will generate a "leaner" system, more manual integration work will be required for putting the new rules back into an application.

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