COBOL Copybook Schema Parser for Disparate Vendor Formats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data processing systems are unable to flexibly handle COBOL data files generated by different vendors due to variations in file formats, endianness, character encodings, and nested data structures, which requires modification and understanding of source code, limiting their ability to process interspersed data types and nested data.
Innovation Solution
A computer-readable medium that receives and parses COBOL copybook descriptions to create standardized data record schemas, allowing for the processing of COBOL data files without modification, by transforming disparate formats into a common syntax, and flattening nested data structures for handling by modern database management systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional data processing systems are modified to handle COBOL data files from different vendors, then the ability to process multiple vendor formats is improved, but the system complexity and modification requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (COBOL data processing system with schema parser) that acts as a mediator between diverse COBOL data files and the target processing system. This intermediary translates various vendor-specific COBOL formats into a standardized internal representation, eliminating the need to modify the core system for each vendor while maintaining high adaptability to different formats
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the COBOL data processing task into distinct components: format detection, schema parsing, data extraction, and standardization. By dividing the processing workflow into separate modular stages, the system can handle multiple vendor formats without increasing overall complexity, as each segment deals with specific format requirements independently
2Measurement precision
If source code modification is required to understand COBOL application formats, then processing accuracy for specific vendors is improved, but the ease of operation and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates standardized schema representations (copies) of vendor-specific COBOL data formats. Instead of modifying source code to understand each vendor's format, the system generates standardized schema copies that capture the essential structure and semantics of each vendor's format, enabling accurate processing without direct source code modification or deep understanding of vendor-specific implementations
Solution Approach 2:
The schema parser serves as an intermediary that automatically translates vendor-specific format definitions into standardized schemas. This eliminates the need for operators to manually study and understand complex COBOL source code, as the intermediary handles format interpretation automatically, improving both accuracy and ease of operation
3Productivity
If conventional systems assume uniform data types in files, then processing simplicity is maintained, but the ability to handle interspersed data types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic data type handling where the system automatically detects and adapts to different data types interspersed within COBOL files. Rather than assuming uniform data types, the processing system dynamically adjusts its interpretation based on schema definitions and actual data characteristics, maintaining processing simplicity while gaining versatility to handle mixed data types through automated type inference and schema-based validation
4Reliability
If nested COBOL data structures are processed directly, then data integrity is preserved, but compatibility with modern database management systems deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments nested COBOL data structures into hierarchical levels during parsing, representing them as structured schemas that preserve the nested relationships through hierarchical definitions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain data integrity by preserving the logical nested structure in the schema representation while enabling database compatibility through standardized schema formats that can be mapped to relational database structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms nested COBOL data structures from their original hierarchical dimension into a standardized schema dimension that is compatible with modern database systems. By representing nested structures as hierarchical schemas with defined relationships rather than physical nesting, the system preserves data integrity through schema constraints while achieving database compatibility through standardized representation that can be flattened or mapped to relational models
Data Source
AI summary
A computer readable medium is configured to receive a description of a COBOL copybook that can be represented in one of a plurality of disparate formats, to parse the COBOL copybook based on the description of the COBOL copybook, and to create a standardized data record schema based on the COBOL copybook. The description of the COBOL copybook includes information about the format of the COBOL copybook.