DMA PATTERN

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For conversions from one programming language to another, DMA Pattern has built a set of tools, collectively called the Language Convertor, with one important consideration in mind: each customer is different, and each migration is different. Every organization for example has its own development and design standards, patterns and frameworks. Some prefer all data access in a separate layer, others choose for embedded data access.

When converting Natural to Java, some organizations will prefer to keep the resulting Java relatively close to the original Natural, for reasons of readability and maintainability by the existing developers. Other organizations will choose a more radical approach and prefer Java that uses more Object-Oriented design patterns. In order to be able to accommodate these considerations, standards, and frameworks the DMA Pattern tools are parameterized and customized for each project.

To address the stringent requirements listed in the above two sections, DMA Pattern have selected a modular approach to building migration tools for all of its supported source platforms (Natural, IDMS, COBOL…). For language to language conversion tools, such as Natural to Java, the architectural overview of the internals of these tools looks like this: • A parser that supports the complete Natural syntax; • A resolver that links together the AST3 that is produced by the parser with control-flow and data-usage information; • Conversion rules for all Natural syntax, from single statements to complex patterns of code, implemented in function of the target language; and • Code generators for Java, C#, and various COBOL dialects, enabling any desired coding style.