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copied!<p><strong>Run away!</strong></p> <p>At least until your client comes around to using a real database system to implement the order entry system. All transaction processing systems need to ensure <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACID" rel="nofollow noreferrer">ACID</a> properties are maintained for every transaction. This is one of the fundamental reasons why real data processing systems use databases. Not using a DBMS is a sure formula for disaster (sooner or later).</p> <p>Can COBOL be interfaced to a web service or a GUI type application? The answer is definitely yes and it is not an uncommon practice. Making it happen can be a more or less painful process depending on how the COBOL application is structured. If it has a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Client%E2%80%93server" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Client/Server</a> type structure, then you only need to replace the Client side components with web/GUI components, insert the appropriate middle-ware to connect to the server and you are pretty much done. If the COBOL application was developed as a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_ball_of_mud" rel="nofollow noreferrer">big ball of mud</a>, then you are in for a rough ride. Since your client developed his system on a stand-alone platform by himself, I am willing to bet serious money the "big ball of mud" model applies. Be prepared for the worst.</p> <p>If this application only took "hours" instead of "months" to understand it doesn't sound all that complex - you may find rebuilding it from scratch is a viable option. However, don't underestimate the work in doing that either!</p> <p>As for upgrading the AIX system or switching to Linux, I cannot help you. </p> <p>Here are a couple of resources for COBOL on AIX that you might want to review:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www-01.ibm.com/software/awdtools/cobol/aix/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">COBOL AIX vendor information</a></li> <li><a href="http://publibfp.dhe.ibm.com/epubs/pdf/igyapg00.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">COBOL for AIX User's guide</a></li> </ul> <p>If you choose to go the Linux route I would recommend checking out:</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.opencobol.org/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">OpenCOBOL</a> COBOL to C translator</li> <li><a href="http://opencobol.add1tocobol.com/#how-do-i-use-opencobol-for-cgi" rel="nofollow noreferrer">OpenCOBOL CGI programming</a></li> </ul> <p>Your client expressed interest in MicroFocus COBOL. MicroFocus is probably the largest COBOL vendor outside of the mainframe market. They have a very good reputation. <a href="http://www.microfocus.com/products/micro-focus-developer/micro-focus-cobol/cobol-UNIX-and-Linux/server-express.aspx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">MicroFocus also supports web development on Linux platforms</a> and tends to have good support for IBM COBOL dialects which may be a consideration if migrating from AIX.</p> <p>My final words of advice are to run away until your client wakes up to the following facts:</p> <ul> <li>Data and transactions need to be managed using a real DBMS that supports ACID.</li> <li>tacking a web based order entry system onto a "ball of mud" is not a week-end project. It may require a complete refactoring and possibly a complete re-write of the existing system</li> </ul> <p>BTW... If you want to retain a working relationship with this person, don't call his system a "ball of mud" even if it is one. He built this thing and probably sees it as one of his children.</p>

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