The IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS Migration Assistant (CMA) has been very popular among COBOL migration users. It is a step-by-step wizard and an interactive checklist that guide users through the information along their migration journey from COBOL 4 or earlier to COBOL 6 or later and helps ease their migration efforts a lot! Now, we are very pleased to announce that the COBOL Migration Assistant V2 is live, mainly to include the following changes:
Design improvements:
- All the pages in the CMA now have a new look that aligns with the other IBM.com pages
- On the homepage, a diagram is created to depict the whole migration journey; and a notification area (by clicking the “alarm” icon ) is added on the upper right to broadcast news/updates about COBOL migration
Content updates:
- Step 1 and later steps: COBOL 5.2 is removed as a migration target, because COBOL 5.2 is withdrawn from service on April 30, 2020, and you should migrate to the latest versions of COBOL 6
- Step 2. Convert PDS load library: COBOL load libraries and PDSE data sets are further clarified
- Step 5. Upgrade hardware and software levels: details are added about hardware and software requirements for COBOL 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3
- Step 6. Install all prerequisite service updates: details are added about determining service required for COBOL 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3
- Step 5. Upgrade hardware and software levels, Step 6. Install all prerequisite service updates, and step 12. Regression testing: content is organized in accordion sections to shorten the text blocks for better readability
- Other misc editorial updates such as adding reference links where necessary, fixing broken links and typos, etc.
So why not using the COBOL Migration Assistant right away simply with an IBMid login? If you have any comments regarding the new CMA, please leave them on the Support page in the CMA, or send them directly to compinfo@cn.ibm.com.
Besides the CMA, you are also encouraged to visit the one-stop COBOL Migration Portal, where you can access all the COBOL migration-related information, such as the migration videos, FAQs, or register for the no-charge COBOL Migration and Performance Tuning Webinars, and many other resources.
Dan Zhang is the Content Designer for IBM COBOL compilers, with over 10 years of experience in designing and developing technical content.