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How To Migrate Cobol Code to Oracle PL\SQL Code MnMTK ToolKit

To migrate Cobol code to Oracle code can be used Ispirer Migration Studio and Ispirer Migration Commander tools. These tools are included in the Ispirer Migration and Modernization ToolKit as tools that can be used to convert the application scripts.

So after the installation of Ispirer Migration and Modernization ToolKit you will need to use 2 tools from the set of tools:



- Ispirer Migration Studio Tool. Tool that allows to convert only one application script at a time.







- Ispirer Migration Commander Tool. Tool that allows to convert multiple scripts at a time.

1. Registration

If you run the Studio or Commander tool for the first time, you need to register the tool using the license information that you have. To do that you can open Studio or Commander tool and click “Help” button on the options menu and click “License Info”. Please see the screenshot for your reference:

In the opened window please click “Enter License” button:

In the opened window you will have to provide registration name and registration number. Or you can click “Read From File” button and select the file with the license information and the tool will automatically catch the required information. After the appropriate information is provided, you need to click “Register” button:

If everything was correct you will see the “License Info Dialog” with the updated information about the limitations of your current license:


Also you can register the toolkit using the SQLWays Wizard tool. Here you can find step by step guide on how to run and register the tool. Please follow the steps described in the article:

How to Run And Register The Toolkit

2. Conversion

After the registration is complete, we can proceed with the conversion of the Cobol code into Oracle. To do that we can use Studio or Commander tool. Both tools were developed for scripts conversion purpose. The main difference between these two tools is below:

  • Ispirer Migration Studio - Is able to convert only one script at a time.
  • Ispirer Migration Commander - Is able to convert multiple scripts or all the scripts in the provided folder including all the sub-directories.

2.1 Setting Required Options

2.1.1 Direction Options

First of all in both tools we need to provide the source and target destinations. This can be done using the “Source” and “Target” options. So for Cobol to Oracle direction we need to provide “Cobol” as a source and “Oracle” as a target. Please see the screenshot, it is applicable for both Studio and Commander:

2.1.2 Options In The Options File

After that if required we need to set options in the options file(sqlways.ini). In this file located all the options supported be the tool. By default this file is stored in the following directory:

c:\Users\[YOUR_USER]\Documents\Ispirer\SQLWays 8.0\

If you want to copy the options file, and use it from another location, then you heed to provide a path to the required options file. You can do that in the Studio or Commander by clicking “Options” button in the options menu and choosing “Migration”:

And in the opened window, in the option “INI File Path” provide a correct path to the required options file, like it is done on the screenshot:


More information about the sqlways.ini file and supported options can be found here: Description of the options file and its options

2.2 Running The Conversion

After setting all the required options we need to specify the source code that need to be converted.

2.2.1 Conversion Using Ispirer Migration Studio

In the Studio tool we need to provide the Cobol code in the left window and click “Run Conversion” button. After the conversion process is finished, in the right window we can see the results of conversion - generated Oracle code.

After the conversion you can review the source and converted target code, side by side for your convenience.

2.2.2 Conversion Using Ispirer Migration Commander

2.2.2.1 Converting Files

In the Migration Commander we need to specify the .cbl files that should be converted and click “Run conversion” button. Please note that .cpy files should not be specified for a conversion. Commander will automatically read information from .cpy files if required.

In the opened window you need to provide the target directory, where our tool will put the converted files and click “Ok”:

After the conversion process is finished, the converted files will be located in the target directory. And by clicking the files in the left and right panels, you can compare source code and generated target.



2.2.2.2 Converting Whole Folder

Also in the Ispirer Migration Commander tool you can specify a whole folder for a conversion. And in that case the tool will convert all the files in the folder and its subfolders. In that case you just need to choose the selected folder and click “Run Conversion” button:

Then you have to provide the target directory, where converted files will be placed. Also when migrating from Cobol to Oracle we need to provide a “File Mask” to convert only the files with the extension “.cbl”. And click “Ok”. Please see the screenshot:

After the conversion process is finished, the converted files will be located in the target directory. And by clicking the files in the left and right panels, you can compare source code and generated target.



Also you can review the recorded demo on our youtube channel that shows how to migrate Cobol code to Oracle PL\SQL code: Cobol to Oracle PL\SQL Conversion Demo


If you will have questions or face with some difficulties please feel free to mail us: support@ispirer.com



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