Introduction

Imagine you’re renovating a house. You could slap on a new coat of paint (rehosting), remodel the kitchen (refactoring), add an extension (encapsulation), or tear it down and build a new one (replacement). Each approach has its pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your budget, timeline, and desired outcome.

Similarly, modernizing legacy COBOL systems offers various paths, each with unique trade-offs. This chapter is your architect’s blueprint, guiding you through the diverse modernization strategies available. We’ll explore encapsulation, rehosting, refactoring, rearchitecting, replacement, low-code/no-code integration, and the strangler fig pattern.

By the end of this chapter, you’ll be equipped to select the right strategy or even a hybrid approach tailored to your specific needs, ensuring a successful and cost-effective modernization journey.

Understanding Modernization Strategies

Modernizing legacy COBOL systems requires choosing the right strategy. Like planning a trip, you need to understand the available routes. This section outlines key modernization strategies, their benefits, and use cases to help you make informed decisions.

Overview of Modernization Strategies

Modernization isn’t one-size-fits-all. Several strategies exist, each with its own approach:

Each strategy has trade-offs in cost, risk, and time. The right choice depends on your needs and goals.

Aligning Modernization with Business Goals

Align modernization with business goals; it’s not just a technical task. Ask yourself: