COBOL :: Essays Papers

COBOLIn the summer of 1998, St Louis Public Schools ( SLPS ) chose to convert form its IBM organisation/390 mainframe to a client server environment. Not only was the SLPS impact but the Public School Retirement System ( PSRS ) was also unnatural since they use their mainframe system.PSRS started looking for a solution for their processing requirements. They were debating on weather to obtain an existing package to re put their system If they did would the be able to convert it to sanction how they run their business, or would they have to potpourri how they conduct business to match the new software. They were also confused as to what new equipment might have to be purchased since they currently were running on older standalone workstations without a server. The organization fixed to purchase new workstations, a server, a high-speed networked laser printer and Windows/2000 workstation and server components. Due to the organizations keen size they elected to hire two c ontract software engineers to help oneself in the conversion, as well as process year determination systems.The company also had to select a political programming language, they decided on COBOL, the SLPS had a free copy of Micro Focus Net transmit COBOL called the University Edition. It is available for schools to utilize in a classroom situation. The software was reviewed, it was decided that it would be adequate for their needs. It had features necessary to satisfy the requirements. Net Express is a Windows based product that is extremely powerful.That mainframe COBOL code formed the reason of the conversion, The conversion consisted mostly of modifying select statements, CICS code, some program calls to mainframe support routines, compare statements also had to be checked for sequence problems ensuring that a mainframe if statements of equal to or greater than were still valid for an ASCII based environment. The company found Downloading software and data files from the mainframe relatively easy, they used a mainframe access program called Extra Packed fields were unpacked on the mainframe, downloaded to the server, and repacked if necessary.After the conversion took place the next task was to conduct year-end processing. This involved many tasks for the organizations, including closedown out of last years business, income tax, providing information to our retirees, allowing for Open Enrollment for various indemnity plans, and providing data to our actuarial firm to assist in funding and well-being decisions.