Wrapping legacy COBOL programs behind an XML-interface

Abstract

This paper describes the tools and techniques for encapsulating host COBOL programs with an XML interface. The legacy programs are divided into three classes - online programs, batch programs and subprograms. For each program type, a different wrapping technique and a different tool is employed. Online programs are transformed into data-driven subprograms which process an XML document. Batch programs are adapted to read and write XML documents. Subprograms are left unchanged, but their parameters are set from an XML document. By using XML to implement corporate portals, it has proven possible to reuse existing host programs within new intranet/Internet systems, thus reducing system development costs and development time by more than 60%.