Method for translating a cobol source program into readable and maintainable program code in an object oriented second programming language

US9182962B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Todd Bradley Kneisel · Phoenix, US
• Cynthia S. Guenthner · Glendale, US
• Albert Henry John Wigchert · Phoenix, US
• Nicholas John Colasacco · New River, US
• Russell W. Guenthner · Glendale, US
• John Edward Heath · Glendale, US
• Clinton B. Eckard · Glendale, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 7, 2011
• Grant date: Nov 10, 2015
• Expiry date: Apr 29, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06F8/31
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method is disclosed for translating by a computer system of a COBOL computer program into a translated computer program in a readable and maintainable syntax in an object oriented programming language. The translated program including variable names equivalent to the original COBOL variable names and with attributes described in COBOL syntax. The translating method further providing for memory allocation in the translated computer program for storage of “COBOL” variables compatible with that of the original COBOL program; a description of program flow that is readable, and utilizing arithmetic operators to describe operations between COBOL variables. Also disclosed is a special object oriented run-time library for creating and performing operations between COBOL numeric objects, including maintaining storage of variable content in the original COBOL format, and for enabling readability of the translated source code by allowing arguments for variable type descriptions to be expressed in COBOL syntax.