DBMaker: The Database for Micro Focus COBOL Applications

DBMaker is a complete robust RDBMS (Relational Database Management System) that supports both traditional business applications written in COBOL and new technologies like Java, C++, and XML. DBMaker provides the benefits that are currently sought by people who use traditional COBOL file structures. DBMaker supplies improved access and control within any traditional text based (green screens) application or the latest Graphical User Interface (GUI). DBMaker makes available the kind of COBOL database solutions that are needed by ISVs (Independent Software Vendors), Development Managers, COBOL Developers, and Application End Users. DBMaker enables COBOL applications to adapt more quickly to future enhancement requests and end user environments.

Interoperability Within the RDBMS Design
The ability of an application, or component of an application, to work with other applications as needed.

When computers were first used to support business transactions, each application was constructed by hand (typically on a single proprietary machine). An application provided all of the needed functions; information was rarely passed between applications. Applications were also tied to a specific machine, and high machine maintenance costs limited the number of systems (both numerically and in operating system types).

The business environment of today is extremely different. Desktop computers are used to access many different types of applications, and users expect all applications to be available from those desktop computers. The current business world of downsizing, acquisition, and partnerships has left businesses with many different operating systems where applications need to run. At the same time, computer technologies have diversified through new languages, interfaces, and the World Wide Web. All of these factors mean that the number of components (computers, applications, operating systems, networks, etc.) changes constantly. If a business does not deal with these changes, it will be unable to pursue many opportunities for success.

DBMaker provides data interoperability between COBOL and other applications (where the COBOL application is not completely supported by SQL), without requiring modifications to COBOL source, and without increasing processing overhead. DBMaker's support of COBOL is accomplished through DCI (DBMaker COBOL Interface). DCI connects COBOL "READ" and "WRITE" statements directly to the internal database engine, for lightning fast data access and data modification. DBMaker's support of ANSI SQL-99 allows other applications (Word processors, Spreadsheets, 4GLs, etc.) direct access to data that was stored in Index Files or other non-relational storage. DBMaker's extensive API support (XML, Java, C++, etc.) provides methods for data interchange with applications through the web, or in different departments or corporations. Lastly, DBMaker's robust support of data integrity and security means that data will be protected against system failure, and that private information will not be made available to inappropriate channels.

DBMaker - The Best Choice for Upgrading COBOL Applications

Ever since Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS) have been introduced, vendors have attempted to move COBOL applications from traditional index file systems. This has led to the COBOL/Database conundrum, (COBOL applications cannot thrive without database functions, yet cannot easily move to database environments). DBMaker addresses specific COBOL applications concerns as follows:

Efficient Data Access
DBMaker data access is tuned for COBOL programs. DBMaker DCI (DBMaker COBOL Interface) accesses the database kernel directly. By reducing the typical layers of interfaces between the database and the program, there is very little overhead in accessing the data; data throughput is very comparable to the original COBOL files. The internal kernel has a very small footprint. This reduces the need for upgrading the computer processing power before database inclusion.

Ease of Installation and Migration
DBMaker is installed and running within a few minutes. There is no need to spend hours learning database internal processes, setting up database sizes, etc. DBMaker also provides utilities to convert and load all the existing data from Micro Focus supported file structures into the database. This greatly reduces the time and work required for data migration.

No Source Changes Needed
DBMaker is designed to interface to programs that use COBOL file syntax (READ, WRITE, LOCK, etc.). DBMaker does not require changes to the application in any way. This reduces any long-term impact to development due to a code freeze. Simply change to the runtime parameters so that programs point to DCI, and the application will access the data from the database.

Cross Platform Support
DBMaker works efficiently on many different platforms. This includes Windows, Linux, and several major Unix platforms. As a company moves to a new platform, the COBOL/database application needs to support that platform. DBMaker does not limit COBOL applications to a single platform.

Cost effective solution
The total cost of ownership (TCO) of any database solution includes purchase price, installation/management costs, migration costs, and production costs. DBMaker's cost per user is very reasonable, comparing favorably with Midrange and PC based databases that are not optimized for COBOL. DBMaker avoids the long learning required before installing most databases: install the CD, and follow the short simple instructions to have the database created. DBMaker ties in quickly with the running application, and migrates from COBOL file formatted data to database formatted data. DBMaker can be embedded as part of packages that are created for upgrades, shipped to customers, etc. By reducing the cost of each component of the TCO, DBMaker becomes a cost effective solution for moving COBOL applications to database technology.

For more information about DBMaker, you can contact us, or download the DBMaker software from this website. A sample COBOL application (including compiled Micro Focus programs, File Definitions, and the specific instructions for conversion from COBOL files to DBMaker) is available upon request.