Modernize COBOL Mainframe Bridge: Explore Java and Python Migration Options

Overview

The current COBOL Mainframe Bridge (sensors/cobol-mainframe-bridge/) collects system and business metrics from mainframe systems. This issue tracks the exploration and potential modernization using Java and Python.

Current Implementation

Location: sensors/cobol-mainframe-bridge/

Key Files:

  • SYSMETRC.CBL - Main metrics collection program
  • METRICS.JCL - JCL job control language
  • README.md - Documentation

Core Functionality:

  • System metrics collection (CPU, memory, I/O, jobs, errors)
  • Business metrics processing (transactions, success rates, revenue)
  • Data persistence (sequential files, VSAM datasets)
  • Threshold monitoring and alerting

Objectives

Explore modernization options for the COBOL sensor and determine the best path forward for maintainability, cloud deployment, and developer accessibility.

Tasks

Analysis Phase

  • Analyze current COBOL implementation
  • Research Java modernization approach
  • Research Python modernization approach
  • Define evaluation criteria

Proof of Concept Phase

  • Build Java POC implementation
  • Build Python POC implementation

Evaluation Phase

  • Compare Java vs Python implementations
  • Analyze trade-offs and risks
  • Make recommendation with supporting data

Implementation Phase

  • Implement chosen approach
  • Validate functional parity
  • Update CI/CD pipeline
  • Create documentation

Success Criteria

  • Comprehensive analysis of modernization options completed
  • Clear recommendation with supporting data
  • Implementation maintains functional parity with COBOL
  • CI/CD pipeline integration working
  • Documentation complete

Related Resources

  • Existing Java sensor: sensors/java-http-metrics-collector/
  • Existing Python sensor: sensors/python-iot-mqtt/
  • COBOL use case documentation: docs/cobol_sensor_usecase.md