In the world of rapidly advancing technology, IBM is striving to modernize the technology of some of its aging mainframes through its generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform. This platform was announced in 2020 as an initiative that will enable developers to refactor old code written in COBOL for its mainframes in order to make them more efficient and easier to maintain.
COBOL, or Common Business-Oriented Language, has long been the basis of many corporate systems in place and is the primary language used in IBM’s mainframes. It is an old language, however, and is increasingly considered to be dated and inefficient for modern applications. In order to make the code more accessible for modern developers and make it easier to update, IBM is introducing a platform that uses AI to automatically refactor the code written in this older language.
The platform is meant to give developers access to a self-service interface. It will utilize AI and automation capabilities so the refactoring process does not have to be done manually, saving developers much time and effort. The AI technology can also detect any inconsistencies in the code and suggest changes to ensure compatibility with current technologies, such as open source databases or cloud solutions.
IBM has been at the forefront of modernizing enterprise IT for many years now and this platform is yet another example of their commitment to that process. By introducing a platform to refactor COBOL code written for its mainframes, IBM now has the capability to bridge the gap between the traditional world of mainframes and a more modern digital future. Not only will it help reduce the reliance on tedious and often obsolete languages such as COBOL, but it can potentially lead to increased efficiency, cost savings, and even provide a platform for innovation.
While it will undoubtedly take time for enterprises to adopt this AI-based refactoring platform across their IT departments, it is still an important step forward for IBM and the modernization of legacy systems. As more companies make the shift to more modern digital systems, it is likely that this new technology will become even more important.
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