IBM recently made a big announcement, saying they have developed a cool AI tool that’s gonna blow your mind! This tool is all about converting COBOL code into Java, and it’s gonna be a game-changer, folks. They’re giving us a sneak peek next month during their TechXchange learning event. How awesome is that?
According to Kyle Charlet, the CTO for Z software at IBM, they’ve trained large language models (LLMs) to handle this task. These models not only convert COBOL into Java code, but they also optimize it. That’s right, they improve the syntax and make the generated Java code waaay better. It’s like magic, man!
Now, get this: IBM’s code model, which is part of their watsonx.ai project, has knowledge of a mind-blowing 115 coding languages! That’s insane. And guess what? It’s based on a whopping 20 billion parameters! This thing is powerful, my friend. And they’re planning to expand it to other programming languages like PL/1. That’s ambitious.
Now, here’s something interesting. This code model I’m talking about is the same one they used for Red Hat Ansible Lightspeed. Yeah, that’s right. This tool can generate code for an IT automation framework, and it’s coming out later this year. But wait, there’s more. IBM is also considering using generative AI to convert REXX code into Ansible code. That’s some next-level stuff, man.
But here’s the real deal: IBM wants to use these generative AI tools, along with their existing Application Discovery and Delivery Intelligence (ADDI) inventory and analysis tool, to make life easier for developers. They wanna streamline the modernization of those legacy mainframe applications. It’s all about making things faster and more efficient, you know?
But here’s the cherry on top: The plan is not to get rid of COBOL applications entirely. Nah, they still gonna stay on the mainframe. But with this new tool, developers who know Java can create applications that still use the same data sources as the original COBOL apps. Isn’t that something? It opens up mainframes to a wider pool of developers and boosts innovation in application development. Genius move, if you ask me.
Now, let’s talk about the massive amount of COBOL code out there. It’s crazy, man. Billions of lines running on mainframes, waiting to be modernized. And here’s the thing: The pool of developers who know COBOL is shrinking. That’s a fact. But with generative AI, code conversion efforts can skyrocket. Updates, validation, and testing can be done quick and easy. No more years of tedious work, my friend.
Look, it’s hard to say exactly how quickly organizations will jump on the modernization bandwagon. But as the time and effort to do so decreases, the cost of modernizing legacy code will follow suit. So, it’s a win-win situation. Those organizations still running z/OS on mainframes can transition to Java and save some serious cash when it comes to building and maintaining those applications.
But hold on a second, folks. Don’t start thinking AI is gonna replace developers altogether. IBM actually recommends that developers optimize the Java code generated by their watsonx Code Assistant for Z. It’s like a little nudge to keep those developers in the game. Keep pushing, keep improving.
Let me tell you something, my friend. Most developers are already using some form of AI to speed up application development. But here’s the exciting part: The future holds even more AI goodness. We’re talking about LLMs optimized for specific tasks, generating more dependable results. It’s all about the quality of the data, man. The more refined and vetted that data is, the more reliable the AI becomes. We want to avoid those AI hallucinations, don’t we?
So, there you have it. IBM is changing the game with their generative AI tool. We’re talking COBOL to Java conversion, streamlining legacy mainframe applications, and opening up doors for more innovation. It’s exciting to see what the future holds. Get ready, folks. The AI revolution is just getting started.
