Infinite has performed thousands of successful AS/400 migrations since its founding. We co-developed the first IBM Midrange migration toolset with IBM for the System/32 and released BABY/32 in the early 1980's. Since that time, Infinite has developed and released many successful products and services packages designed to migrate AS/400-based applications written in RPG and COBOL.

The latest AS/400 migration product set is the Infinite i family of products which include compilers for RPG, RPG ILE, COBOL, COBOL ILE, CL and DDS. This product family also includes a deployment environment that incorporates utilities and the database necessary to execute a native AS/400 application under Windows, Linux or Unix and write the migrated data to Oracle or MS SQL.

The Infinite approach to AS/400 migration. First, we don't translate RPG or COBOL into something else. Our methodology and our products recompile the original source code into native executable object code for the target platform. Since we don't change it, we know it will work. Maintaining source code integrity is crucial for mitigating the risk of changing platforms. We want to execute business critical applications to 21st century platforms in the easiest, fastest, least cost and least risky manner possible.

A typical AS/400 application migration will incorporate the appropriate Infinite i compilers, the infinite i deployment environment with the appropriate database support (Oracle or MS SQL) and the services to assist in recompiling the application, perform any necessary remediation and migrating the data and the database from DB2/400 to Oracle or MS SQL.

While there is no typical AS/400-based application, a migration can take from 90 days to 6 months depending on the amount of remediation necessary to deploy the application. Of course, custom development would require additional time.

FAQs

What is Infinite i?

Infinite i migrates RPG and COBOL legacy applications developed for the IBM System i (AS/400) so they can run on other operating systems, specifically Windows , Linux and UNIX (AIX, HPUX and Solaris). In order to use Infinite i you must have a complete set of source code. Unfortunately, not having source is will not allow us to recompile the AS/400 code and execute it on an alternate platform. Applications run on the new platform very similarly to the way they run on the AS/400. Infinite i supports physical and logical files, subfiles, command language, stored procedures, etc.

What languages does Infinite i support?

Infinite i has compilers to support RPG/400, ILE RPG, SQL RPG/400, COBOL/400, SQL COBOL/400, COBOL ILE, CL/400, CMD/400, DDS/400 (pf, lf, dspf, prtf)

Does Infinite i convert my source code into another language?

No. We believe that maintaining the integrity of the initial software is important. Your native COBOL or RPG source code remains intact and is recompiled into object code that executes natively under Windows, UNIX or Linux. Your investment in development and support staff, documentation and training remain secure

Is it possible to continue development once an application has been re-hosted?

Infinite i offers the developer options for future development. If an ISV plans to offer the same application on multiple platforms, they may prefer to develop on the AS/400 where they are more comfortable and recompile on Infinite i. Infinite i includes development tools to allow changes to be made, built and tested. The SEU, PDM and the language compilers implement full source validation. Or the developer may choose to use other toolsets for development in Java or .NET. Infinite has a suite of plug in middleware for use with development tools from the WebSphere family, the WebLogic family te JBoss family or the Microsoft family of products. Once migrated, RPG or COBOL applications can be executes into the Cloud using the Infinite Cloud family of products which are integrated with Infinite i. The Infinite Cloud family plug into JBoss, WebSphere and Web Logic. So, you can develop in RPG, COBOL or use other industry standard tools in Java or .net and easily integrate new programs or modules into your newly rehosted RPG or COBOL programs.

Does Infinite i require an AS/400 host at any stage (other than migrating source)?

No, once the application and data are migrated, Infinite i provides a platform for the High Level Language source code and is entirely independent of the AS/400. During the initial migration, the entire content of the libraries are downloaded from the AS/400 to Infinite i, including the objects (compiled programs, files, etc) that provide additional migration information.

Is it possible to transfer RPG source from Infinite i to AS/400 host? If yes, will source be compatible in the AS/400?

Yes, the source stays in AS/400 format. When an ISV or end-user plans to offer the same application on multiple platforms, some developers prefer to develop on the AS/400 where they are more comfortable and recompile on Infinite i. All the source and data transfer back and forth between the AS/400 and Infinite i is accomplished by simple Save Files and FTP Transfers.

What does and end-user or ISV have to provide Infinite so they can begin migrating AS/400 code?

The Infinite Project Manager will send instructions to the client in how to create a Save File (SAVF) on the AS/400. The Infinite team will then move it to the new system and begin recompileing it into native executables for the target platform. The Infinite i compilers and toolsets handle most of the migration themselves. The remediation comes from testing and interactive project management between the Infinite team and the client team.

How does a developer debug an application that encounters an error on the target platform but works on the AS/400?

Debugging is managed similar to debugging on the AS/400. Compiled listings include the same error codes as the compilers on the AS/400, including references to missing dependent objects, syntax errors, data type errors, etc. In the event of failures that are not programming errors, Infinite Software support should be contacted to determine if a product bug exists.

Do the compiler licenses include the ability to rerun the conversion at any time?

Yes, the compiler licenses will allow for the re-running of conversions and at any time.

How is your performance versus the AS/400?

Customers who have done proprietary testing and benchmarking on a comparable system (processor speed, memory, disk response time) found performance as good as or better than their application running on an AS/400. Obviously the performance of Infinite cannot be isolated from other factors – system, network throughput and application architecture.

What version of Linux does Infinite i Support

Infinite i has been tested and certified on the following operating systems: Windows: Enterprise Server 2008 and below Unix: HPUX 11.00 +; AIX 4.1 +; Sun Solaris 5.8 + Linux: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 32 and 64 bit

What version of Oracle does the Infinite i Deployment Environment support?

Infinite I has been tested and certified on the following databases: Oracle: 11g MS SQL: 2008

Does Infinite i support OS/400 API's?

Infinite i supports most OS/400 APIs. In the typical selling cycle, the prospect will engage us to do a sample migration. We take a representative module of your software with test data and actually migrate it to your target platform (Windows, UNIX or Linux). You will be able to see any exceptions and we will work with you to resolve each one of them.

Are there any limitations to the RPG Compiler?

Infinite i supports the commonly used commands and there are usually workarounds for the less commonly used ones. Most issues arise because of AS/400 hardware references that no longer exist. For example communication commands referencing controllers and line descriptions are not supported, however communication protocols on the new platform usually provide a solution.

Are there any limitations to the COBOL/400 compiler?

The COBOL/400 compiler in Infinite i is consistent with the IBM COBOL/400 compiler in terms of features and functionality. The only limitation is partial support for DISPLAY / ACCEPT with ROW / COLUMN.

Can the definition of PIC X(250000 be used to work about the OPM COBOL limitations of field size?

It is possible to use this definition in the COBOL programs. It is however not possible to define the same field length in a file.

Are there any limitations to the ILE COBOL compiler?

The COBOL/ILE compiler in Infinite i is consistent with the IBM COBOL/ILE compiler in terms of features and functionality.

Is there support in the Infinite i for 'C'?

Infinite i provide C-APIs that allow an interface with the environment when writing standard C-programs. These C programs are compiled using the CRTCPGM command to create a C program in the environment from where the C program can then be called from a COBOL, RPG or CL program or vice versa.

How long does it take to migrate an application?

Timing can vary based on the amount of code to be converted. A typical migration consisting of 12,000 objects – 3,000 programs combined with physical and logical files, display files and command language – may take less than four weeks to complete including migration, analysis, testing and validation. On average, the re-hosting and modernization process takes about 90 days.

How does Infinite i migrate, store and access DB2/400 data?

The Infinite i re-hosting components include a complete replication of the AS/400 DB2/400 database. This database resides on the new host and operates just like the database you are accustomed to. The end user may elect to use Oracle or SQL Server in place of the internal database. All three options include support for specific DB2/400 features like Physical Files, Logical Files, Joined Files, Triggers, Referential Integrity, Commitment Control and Journaling.

Can Infinite i work along with/support other tools or software, for example MQSERIES (MSMQ)?

Infinite i can interface with MQSERIES or MSMQ via C API calls. The underlying runtime support within Infinite i allows any HLL program (written in ILE RPG, RPG/400 or COBOL/400) to invoke external C programs. This generic mechanism allows also calling MQSERIES or MSMQ API functions to send or receive transactional messages and communicate any type of host that runs these products.

Does Infinite i support Journaling and Commitment Control?

Yes.