Focus area 04
Modernize established systems with respect.
I help understand, secure and gradually evolve OS/2, mainframe and other established software environments.
No big bang – clear steps
Established systems contain valuable knowledge. Modernization therefore does not have to begin with complete replacement. I first examine what should be preserved, isolated, documented or deliberately replaced.
I bring practical experience with older industrial and control computers, DOS, OS/2, ArcaOS and eComStation, complemented by knowledge of electrical engineering, older hardware and extending existing applications.
Assessment
Dependencies, data formats, interfaces and operational knowledge become visible.
Protection
Risks are prioritized and critical processes are documented so they do not depend on individual people.
Step-by-step migration
New components can be introduced through clear interfaces while proven parts continue to run in a controlled way.
Platform and tooling experience
I work with 16- and 32-bit DOS applications from 8086 onwards, OS/2 Warp, ArcaOS, eComStation and MVS. Development and maintenance may involve OpenWatcom, GCC, PDCurses, SDL, OpenCOBOL/GnuCOBOL, VisualAge COBOL for OS/2, Sibyl and Free Pascal.
- OS/2, ArcaOS and DOS applications
- COBOL, REXX and Pascal-related systems
- Migration of mainframe applications
- Technical documentation and preservation of knowledge
- Step-by-step modernization planning
Mainframes and migration
In mainframe environments, I support MVS and z/OS applications in COBOL and REXX. This includes migration towards server or container technology, integration through REST interfaces, and new development or further development of existing applications.