Ted Hisokawa
Oct 14, 2025 17:06
GitHub Copilot and AI brokers are revolutionizing the modernization of legacy programs, making out of date COBOL programs accessible to at present’s builders, in response to GitHub’s insights.
In an period the place legacy programs nonetheless underpin crucial international infrastructures, GitHub Copilot and AI brokers are stepping as much as modernize these outdated frameworks. Based on a report by GitHub, these applied sciences are notably efficient in making COBOL programs, which have been in use for over six a long time, accessible to up to date builders.
The Problem of COBOL
COBOL, a programming language that predates the web, stays integral to many banking, insurance coverage, and authorities programs. Regardless of its significance, discovering builders expert in COBOL is more and more troublesome as the unique consultants retire. This has left a good portion of the world’s 200 billion strains of COBOL code in want of modernization.
AI-Powered Options
Julia Kordick, a Microsoft World Black Belt, has been on the forefront of utilizing AI to modernize COBOL programs while not having to study the language. By leveraging AI for reverse engineering, her staff can extract and doc enterprise logic, determine dependencies, and supply a complete understanding of legacy codebases.
A Systematic Method to Modernization
Kordick’s staff employs a three-step framework for modernization: code preparation, enrichment, and automation aids. GitHub Copilot assists in reverse engineering code to grasp its performance, whereas AI brokers enrich this understanding by translating and analyzing the code’s construction.
Automation aids additional scale this course of, permitting for the technology of name chain maps and test-driven modernization plans. These steps not solely streamline the modernization course of but in addition be certain that human consultants stay integral to validation and oversight.
Actual-World Utility and Limitations
Whereas AI supplies important efficiencies, Kordick warns that it’s not a panacea. Human experience is crucial for validating AI-generated evaluation, and the distinctive complexities of every COBOL codebase imply that full automation just isn’t but possible. However, AI has already remodeled legacy modernization from a frightening activity right into a manageable mission.
Open-Supply Framework for COBOL Modernization
GitHub and Microsoft have open-sourced a framework constructed with Microsoft Semantic Kernel, providing a sensible start line for organizations trying to modernize their legacy programs. This framework consists of a number of specialised brokers that deal with varied points of the modernization course of, from dependency mapping to value monitoring.
The framework is designed to maintain organizations answerable for their mental property whereas permitting inside groups to study and adapt to new enterprise logic as modernization progresses.
For extra detailed insights, go to the complete article on [GitHub](https://github.weblog/ai-and-ml/github-copilot/how-github-copilot-and-ai-agents-are-saving-legacy-systems/).
Picture supply: Shutterstock
