XML files generation - COBOL or Java?

[B Mkote]

Hi,

We have the need to produce an XML formatted file from what is now a sequential file produced by a COBOL program. I did some cursory search and with that it seems like either we can use a third party tool or can write a COBOL program with all the XML tags already in working storage reformat the file in to XML. Or can there be a way to use a Java app to read the generated file and produce the XML using Java tools and a Java parser?

But with these we are not sure what one should be choose. Asking client for a new tool is a tough preposition. The option with COBOL seems doable, but does not seem to be the most elegant of solutions. Solution with Java parser sounds interesting and appealing, but the question is, we need to make sure that anything that is run is standard, vanilla IBM stuff. What level of VSE (if any) supports Java natively? Someone here mentioned that VSE might not support this approach.

Anyone else have any other thoughts on what approach should we take to get done with it?

[B Mkote]

Anyone please?

[nicc]

Anyone please?

No. People answer of their own free will, on their own time, for free and depending on whether the topic interests them. Do not beg!

As to whether Java will run on your system - ask your sysprogs. It may not even be installed - and it runs un the USS side of the 'box'.

COBOL has XML capabilities builtin - use them.

[Robert Sample]

I don't know enough about VSE to provide an answer. However, your customer won't care about an "elegant" solution (as your post stated it). Your customer is concerned about getting something that is easy to maintain, works correctly, and fulfills their requirements. Whether that solution is in COBOL or JAVA or whatever won't matter (unless the language to use is one of the requirements).