SYNON CA 2E CONVERTER
ARCAD Transformer Synon
Convert from Synon 4GL to RPG Free Form
WITH ARCAD TRANSFORMER SYNON Future proof your legacy IBM i (aka AS/400 or AS400) applications converting Synon CA 2E 4GL code to modern ‘Free Form’ syntax
Overcome skill shortage
» Free Form is easier to learn, understand and maintain
Break free
» from ‘vendor lock-in’ and escalating maintenance costs
Unlock the full potential
» of the latest advances on the IBM i platform and DB2 database
Auto-refactoring
» Reduce code volume by factor of 3
Improve speed
» Achieve over 30% application performance gains
Reliable
» No risk in terms of regression
Modern Conversion
» Convert from Synon to Free Form ILE RPG, and from DDS to SQL
Readability and modularity
» of generated code through the externalization of functions
Let’s modernize your SYNON source code with ARCAD TRANSFORMER SYNON
With ARCAD, we seized the opportunity of migrating our IBM i applications and set up a strategy which will allow us to maintain and improve our systems for the next 15 / 20 years. What I liked about the ARCAD solution is they guarantee the non-regression of the converted system
Jean-Christophe Dutel, Managing Director, DUTELBy converting to a modern language and tools, our IBM i application is now easy to maintain by young developers.
Hugues Clement, IT Manager, GEODISFAQ
General Information
ARCAD Transformer Synon is an automatic conversion solution that modernizes IBM i applications created with Synon/CA 2E by transforming the code generated by the CASE tool into RPG ILE Free-Form code.
The solution eliminates the need for the Synon CASE tool, which has become obsolete.
Modernizing your applications improves their maintainability, performance, and compatibility with current standards. Transitioning to RPG Free-Form and ILE architecture makes the code more readable, attracts new talent, and opens the door to further modernization, such as microservices, web services, and SQL—while maximizing your investment in IBM i.
Technical Aspects
The Synon model data as well as the generated source code are necessary to initiate the project.
Not at all. One of the first steps involves mass generation from the Synon model.
Modifications to the generated source code are usually made to fix known limitations or platform bugs via Synon exit points. These modifications can be replicated or simply ignored if they are already handled by the modernization engine. Any other context is assessed during the evaluation phase.
Our process can handle one or multiple Synon models, whether they are linked or not, and can merge them if necessary.
Yes, the generated code adheres to the modular ILE architecture and fully leverages its benefits, such as service programs and linked modules.
Our process requires the addition of long names in all physical files to make the code more readable and functionally understandable. Adding these long names does not alter the file level (LVLID) or the content of stored data.
Yes, our process allows retaining the existing DB2 database or converting physical/logical files (DDS) into tables/indexes (DDL).
This is a true conversion and does not rely on the surrogate method.
The solution optionally includes the conversion of these components to RPG Free.
The modular architecture ensures that your applications maintain at least their current performance levels.
Features
Transformer Synon does not change the appearance of the application’s DSPF screens. However, it is entirely possible to modernize the screens alongside the code modernization using solutions from our partners.
The modernization process includes validation steps to ensure that the modernized application functions identically to the original Synon application. For this, we use our regression testing solution, ARCAD-Verifier.
Customers using the ARCAD for DevOps solution or those who choose to use it after the project receive the source code in a ready-to-use repository.
Customers using a different solution are not disadvantaged. Our consultants work in coordination with the client’s team to deliver the source code in the most suitable format.
The project can optionally include the deployment of modernized components into production. This fully automated process is based on the ARCAD for DevOps solution.
The project can optionally include the deployment of tables into production. This fully automated process ensures data quality validation beforehand and is based on ARCAD for DevOps and ARCAD Transformer DB solutions.
Security and Confidentiality
The materials for modernization are collected from your IBM i system and transferred to the ARCAD Software infrastructure. Once the conversion process is complete, the modernized components are reinstalled on your IBM i for compilation and testing.
No, there is no risk. Only the generated code and the Synon CA 2E database are collected. No client or functional data is collected or exported outside your system.
Yes, it is entirely possible to perform the conversion process within your system. Our team will provide the necessary technical prerequisites for this step.
Benefits
Modernization reduces application maintenance costs, facilitates the hiring of young developers, and prepares your infrastructure for the future.
Most of our clients see an approximately 30% improvement in application performance, especially for batch processing of large data volumes.
Yes, by converting the database to the DDL format, you can leverage advanced SQL security features.
ARCAD Software offers an audit service to assess the health of your Synon CA 2E applications and proposes a modernization project tailored to your needs.
The duration of the project depends on the size and complexity of your Synon CA 2E applications. A medium-sized project (around 5,000 programs, a single Synon model) typically takes about 12 months, from project planning to the delivery of modernized programs in production, including automated regression testing phases.
Support and Assistance
Our offering includes a 6 to 12-month warranty period during which your teams can benefit from our support if any issues related to the modernization process are identified after final delivery. During this warranty period, ARCAD Software is responsible for analyzing and resolving issues and redeploying the affected components.
Simply replace the modernized component with the original program. No compilation is required. The modernized application is 100% compatible with the application generated by Synon.
No, this product requires technical expertise that is only available through our consultants and partners.
TRIAL VERSION / DEMO
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