Use of a DBMS (data base management system) to aid in the software conversion process
A.F. Huntley, Robert A. Bryant, Buhrmaster, Jose Christian, R. Hume · OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · 1987
Procedures are described that provide for the automated conversion of a screen library containing over a thousand screen display definitions to a new screen definition software package. The first step is to extract the screen definition information from the original screen package. This information is then loaded into a data base management system (DBMS). The information is manipulated as necessary and output in a format that can be utilized by the new screen package. A major benefit of the procedures developed is that a DBMS allows bulk updates of multiple screen definitions to be performed. Both the source and target screen packages provide only for the updating of individual screens. Although the procedures described apply to the problem of converting screen definitions for a specific application using the two specific screen definition software packages, the flexibility inherent in a DBMS allows its use in solving many such complex problems. The concept can be modified to allow possibilities limited only by the creativity of the DBMS users and the information contained in the data base.