Automated Legacy Job Debugging via Screen Scraping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Debugging jobs on legacy systems, such as AS/400, is challenging due to the complexity of first-generation programming languages like COBOL and RPG, requiring extensive manual knowledge and being prone to errors, as existing tools still necessitate significant expertise and are not fully automated.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using screen scraping technology to programmatically identify jobs, retrieve source code, and create breakpoints, enabling fully automated and error-proof debugging by employing tools like ApplinX to navigate and parse legacy system screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual debugging approaches are used with existing tools, then debugging capability is achieved, but extensive manual expertise and time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically identifying the job to be debugged, retrieving its source code, and creating appropriate breakpoints before the debugging session begins. This eliminates the need for manual preparation and reduces debugging time while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The debugging system serves itself by automatically performing tasks that previously required human expertise. The system autonomously identifies jobs, retrieves source code, determines appropriate breakpoints, and sets them up without human intervention, making the debugging process self-sufficient and eliminating manual time investment.
2Measurement precision
If manual breakpoint setting is performed, then debugging precision is achieved, but error-prone manual tasks are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical manual process of breakpoint setting with an automated computational system. The computer automatically analyzes the source code, determines appropriate breakpoint locations based on debugging criteria, and sets breakpoints without human intervention, eliminating manual errors while maintaining precise breakpoint placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to automatically determine where to place breakpoints by analyzing the source code and job characteristics. The automated system continuously refines breakpoint selection based on code structure analysis and debugging requirements, ensuring precise placement without manual intervention and eliminating human error.
3Productivity
If automated screen scraping is used, then job identification speed is improved, but complexity of automation is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary automated process that acts as a mediator between the user's debugging request and the legacy system. The automation layer handles screen scraping, job identification, source code retrieval, and breakpoint creation, shielding the user from complexity while maintaining high productivity through automated operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for debugging a job running on a legacy system is provided. The job to be debugged is identified by programmatically reading a screen provided by the legacy system that displays a list of active jobs of the legacy system via screen scraping. Source code that corresponds to the identified job is programmatically retrieved. A breakpoint is programmatically created in the retrieved source code.