Re: Systems with missing source code

[Keith Carpenter <entropypool@xxxxxxxxx>]

Paul Nelson wrote:
> With V6R1 just around the corner, and software vendors that have disappeared
> along with their source code, some companies must be facing the issue of
> code that won't migrate.
>
> There used to be a company that provided a de-compiler for RPG and CLP
> programs. Has anybody used them? Are they still around?

A decompiler may seem like a silver bullet, but it's a rather extreme 
approach.  Besides the cost, you could be in for a lot of time getting 
the software to work correctly.  The retrieved source won't contain any 
original documentation. I'd want to test it thoroughly.

It may be more practical to find alternative solutions for the software 
in question.  V6R1 compatibly is an issue many of us are dealing with, 
so you may not be only one that needs to replace this particular software.

Personally, I'm disappointed IBM has not maintained better backward 
compatibility with V6R1.  Performance improvements doesn't seem like 
enough of a justification for me.  It's certainly a boon for software 
providers.


Keith