Visual COBOL 9.0 arrived in 2024 with a host of new features and enhancements, promising to further revolutionize COBOL application development and modernize legacy systems. This latest release from Micro Focus focuses on performance, developer productivity, and integration capabilities, making it a must-have upgrade for businesses relying on COBOL. Here’s a detailed look at what’s new in Visual COBOL 9.0.
Enhanced Performance and Scalability
Enhanced Performance and Scalability
Visual COBOL 9.0 introduces advanced compiler optimizations that significantly improve the performance of COBOL applications. These optimizations include better loop unrolling, enhanced inline expansions, and improved memory management. As a result, applications run faster and more efficiently, reducing the overall resource consumption.
Multithreading Support
With the growing need for concurrent processing, Visual COBOL 9.0 now offers enhanced support for multithreading. This feature allows COBOL applications to take full advantage of multi-core processors, leading to better performance and scalability, especially for data-intensive tasks.
Advanced Development Tools
Enhanced Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
The new version of Visual COBOL comes with an upgraded IDE that offers a more intuitive and productive environment for developers. Key enhancements include:
Improved Code Editor: Syntax highlighting, code completion, and real-time error checking have all been enhanced, making the development process smoother and more efficient.
Debugging Tools: Advanced debugging tools like VS , now provide deeper insights into code execution, allowing developers to quickly identify and resolve issues.
Refactoring Tools: New refactoring tools make it easier to manage and restructure large codebases, improving code maintainability.
Enhanced Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
Visual COBOL 9.0 strengthens its integration capabilities with popular DevOps tools such as Jenkins, Git, and Docker. This seamless integration facilitates continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, enabling more efficient and automated software delivery processes.
Modernization and Cloud Readiness
Cloud-Native Development
As businesses increasingly migrate to the cloud, Visual COBOL 9.0 introduces features that support cloud-native development. These include:
- Containerization Support: COBOL applications can now be easily containerized using Docker, making them portable across different cloud environments.
- Cloud APIs: Enhanced support for cloud APIs allows COBOL applications to interact with various cloud services, enabling more flexible and scalable solutions.
Mainframe Modernization
Visual COBOL 9.0 continues to lead in mainframe modernization efforts. It provides tools and utilities to help organizations move their mainframe applications to modern platforms without rewriting the code. This transition helps reduce costs and increases agility.
Enhanced Security Features
Improved Data Protection
Security is a top priority in Visual COBOL 9.0. The new release includes enhanced data protection features such as better encryption methods and more robust access controls. These improvements help safeguard sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
Secure Coding Practices
The updated IDE now includes features that promote secure coding practices. Developers are alerted to potential security vulnerabilities in real-time, helping to prevent security issues before they become critical.
Community and Support
Expanded Community Resources
Visual COBOL 9.0 comes with expanded community resources, including more comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and forums. These resources are designed to help both new and experienced developers get the most out of the platform.
Enhanced Customer Support
Micro Focus has also improved its customer support services with the release of Visual COBOL 9.0. Users can expect quicker response times and more personalized assistance, ensuring that any issues are resolved promptly and effectively.
Conclusion
Visual COBOL 9.0 represents a significant step forward in the evolution of COBOL development. With its enhanced performance, advanced development tools, cloud readiness, and robust security features, it is poised to help organizations modernize their COBOL applications and stay competitive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. Whether you are looking to improve existing applications or develop new ones, Visual COBOL 9.0 offers the tools and capabilities needed to succeed.