COBOL Working Storage to Open/OLTP View Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods face challenges in automatically converting COBOL data definitions for use with Web-based applications, requiring manual adaptation and leading to development time inefficiencies and human error when integrating legacy systems with modern web technologies.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that automatically converts COBOL working storage definitions into Open/OLTP view files, utilizing a Visual Basic program to generate these files, which can then be processed by commercially available Transaction Integrator middleware, enabling seamless communication between web browsers and legacy database management systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If manual adaptation of COBOL data definitions is performed, then integration flexibility is maintained, but development time increases and human error increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration easeVSAvoiddevelopment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically converting COBOL data definitions without requiring manual human intervention. The conversion process is automated through software that reads COBOL working storage definitions and generates corresponding Open/OLTP view files automatically, eliminating the need for manual adaptation while reducing development time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of adapting COBOL data definitions with an automated software-based conversion system. The mechanical action of manually copying and adapting data definitions is substituted by an automated computer program that performs the conversion electronically, thereby reducing development time and human error.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If manual adaptation of COBOL data definitions is performed, then integration flexibility is maintained, but human error increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration easeVSAvoidconversion accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The automated conversion system performs self-service by systematically processing COBOL data definitions without human intervention, ensuring consistent and accurate conversion. The system automatically handles the transformation process, eliminating human error while maintaining integration flexibility through standardized automated processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adaptation with an automated software system that performs conversion with higher reliability. The automated system eliminates human error in the conversion process while maintaining the flexibility to handle various COBOL data definition formats through programmed conversion logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If automated conversion is implemented, then development time is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconversion speedVSAvoidconversion system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary conversion system that sits between the COBOL data definitions and the Open/OLTP view files. This intermediary automated conversion tool handles the complexity of the conversion process, providing high productivity while managing system complexity through a dedicated conversion layer that abstracts the complexity from the user interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8041836B1Automatic COBOL working storage to open/OLTP view conversion

Publication Date: 2011.10.18 UNISYS CORP

AI summary

A system and method which automatically converts COBOL data definitions into view files which allows a user from an Internet terminal to access an On-Line Transaction Processing (OLTP) enterprise server. This conversion permits the Internet user to perform COBOL transactions using the enterprise legacy system.