CobolIntel User Guide

Getting Started

Starter (Free): 3 analyses per day signed in (2 per day anonymous), files up to 50KB, 19 core analysis modes including Explain, Architecture, Bug Finder, JCL Analyzer, conversion modes, and Dead Code Analysis.
Enterprise: All 22 analysis modes including Migration Risk Assessment, Microservice Refactor, Full Report + Roadmap, multi-file and ZIP batch processing, full mainframe coverage (COBOL, JCL, HLASM, BMS/MFS, CICS, IMS, DB2), Volume Disposition Reports, Cross-Program Audit, Variable Trace Map, Dependency Graph Map across portfolios. Private VPC or on-premise deployment, SSO/SAML/SCIM, audit logs, dedicated onboarding, named support, annual contract. Contact Us for pricing tailored to your estate.

Running Your First Analysis

Go to cobolintel.com and sign in or create a free account, or run anonymously (anonymous users are limited to 2 analyses per day).

Paste COBOL source code directly into the editor, or click UPLOAD to upload a single file or ZIP archive. Drag-and-drop is supported.

Select a dialect from the top bar: IBM z/OS (Enterprise COBOL), Micro Focus / Rocket (Visual COBOL / COBOL Server), or GnuCOBOL. The dialect setting ensures the analysis engine interprets dialect-specific syntax correctly. Dialect can also be auto-detected from content.

Choose an analysis mode from the left sidebar. Modes are organized by function: Understand, Find & Fix, Modernize, Convert & Validate, and Top-Level (Enterprise).

Click Run Analysis. Results stream in the output panel on the right. Use the Download button to save the report as a self-contained HTML file that opens in any browser without an internet connection.

Drag and Drop

You can drag files directly from your file explorer onto the source panel. The panel highlights when a file is being dragged over it. Single files and ZIP archives are both supported.

System Requirements

CobolIntel requires no installation. You need only a modern web browser and an internet connection. No mainframe connection is required — COBOL source is uploaded or pasted directly into the browser.

Multi-File Analysis (Enterprise)

Upload a .zip file or drag multiple files. CobolIntel processes all programs together, enabling cross-program analysis, call chain mapping, system-level architecture reports, and estate-level disposition output. The engine identifies the main program automatically and routes supporting artifacts (copybooks, IMS DBD/PSB, BMS/MFS screen maps, ISPF panels, compile listings) to context.

When you upload a mixed estate, the engine produces a Files Inventory line at the top of every report:

Analyzing N migration units from M uploaded files. K supporting artifacts. L files not analyzed.

Files that cannot be analyzed (documentation, spreadsheets, images, binary executables) are listed in a “Files Not Analyzed” section at the end of the report with a per-file reason. Documentation file types (.md, .html, .pdf, .docx, .csv, .json, .xml, etc.) are skipped automatically. The engine attempts content-based rescue for files with unrecognized extensions — if the content matches COBOL, JCL, or HLASM patterns, it is classified accordingly even without a recognized extension.

Mode Behavior in Multi-File

Dep Map / Dependency Graph Map — Produces a unified dependency report across all files showing shared copybooks, cross-program CALL relationships, and visual network diagrams.

Cross-Program Audit (Enterprise) — Compares business rules and data definitions across all programs to find inconsistencies and CALL parameter mismatches.

Conversion modes (Java, Python, C#, SQL, Pipeline, COBOL) — Identifies the main program automatically and uses copybooks and secondary programs as reference context. JCL files are converted to the equivalent orchestration format (Spring Batch for Java, Airflow DAG for Python and Pipeline).

Full Report + Roadmap (Enterprise) — Estate-level synthesis with Portfolio Verdict, Migration Risk Assessment, JCL and Dataset Inventory, HLASM Modules, Known Unknowns, Board Brief, and Language Environment runtime options.

COBI Assistant

Click the COBI button in the sidebar to open the analysis assistant panel. Ask COBI follow-up questions about your analysis output, request clarifications on specific paragraphs or variables, or explore migration options. COBI maintains context from your current analysis session.

You can ask COBI anything about your loaded COBOL — what a specific paragraph does, why a variable is declared a certain way, what a COMP-3 field means, how a particular business rule works, or what a risk flag in the analysis output means.

Analysis Modes

CobolIntel provides 22 analysis modes across five functional groups. Modes marked ENT require an Enterprise subscription. Modes marked MULTI-FILE support multi-file or ZIP upload.

Mode	Description	Access
UNDERSTAND
Explain	Plain English breakdown of what the program does — logic, data flows, business rules, and purpose.	Free
Architecture	System architecture map showing program structure, division layout, and high-level component relationships.	Free
Flow	Interactive call tree showing program execution flow, paragraph hierarchy, and PERFORM chains.	Free
Dep Map	CALL, COPY, CSECT, and file dependency map. Shows all external dependencies in the program.	Free
Copybook	Data layout explainer for COPY members — field-by-field breakdown of PIC clauses, levels, and structures.	Free
FIND & FIX
Bug Finder	Identifies risks, bugs, and code quality issues — including unhandled file statuses, overflow risks, S0C7 abend candidates, and logic errors.	Free
Dead Code Analysis	Two-pass symbol-table analysis identifying unreachable paragraphs, unused variables, and orphan PERFORM targets. Near-zero false positive rate.	Free
JCL Analyzer	Job Control Language breakdown — step-by-step analysis of JCL, DD statements, datasets, GDG generations, SMS classes, and execution dependencies.	Free
Cross-Program Audit ENT MULTI-FILE	Detects business rule inconsistencies, conflicting logic, and interface mismatches across multiple COBOL programs.	Enterprise
MODERNIZE
→ Java	Convert COBOL to Java 17+. Preserves business logic with idiomatic Java classes and method structure.	Free
→ Python	Convert COBOL to Python 3. Readable, maintainable output with PEP-8 compliance.	Free
→ C# BETA	Convert COBOL to C# (.NET 8). Includes FixedString helpers enforcing PIC X(n) field widths for data fidelity.	Free
→ SQL	Generate DDL and type mappings from COBOL data structures. Converts WORKING-STORAGE and file records to SQL schema.	Free
→ Pipeline	Convert COBOL batch programs to modern data pipeline equivalents — PySpark, dbt, or Apache Airflow.	Free
→ COBOL	Plain English to COBOL generation. Describe business logic in natural language and generate standards-compliant COBOL.	Free
Microservice Refactor ENT	Identifies natural microservice boundaries in COBOL programs and produces a domain-driven refactoring plan with API contracts.	Enterprise
CONVERT & VALIDATE
Document	Generates full technical documentation — program description, data dictionary, paragraph reference, and interface specification.	Free
Executive Brief	Non-technical executive summary suitable for steering committees, program boards, and migration sponsors.	Free
Test Generator	Generates unit test cases to validate conversion accuracy — inputs, expected outputs, and edge cases derived from program logic.	Free
TOP-LEVEL (ENTERPRISE)
Migration Risk Assessment ENT	Per-program risk scoring with disposition recommendation, dialect features detected, complexity factors, and migration confidence. Includes Known Unknowns, Board Brief, and Language Environment runtime options blocks.	Enterprise
Dependency Graph Map ENT MULTI-FILE	Full CALL · COPY · file dependency graph across all programs in a ZIP package. Force-directed visual network with 7 Rs disposition coloring and blast radius analysis.	Enterprise
Full Report + Roadmap ENT MULTI-FILE	Comprehensive estate-level migration assurance report with Portfolio Verdict, Executive Brief, Plain English Explanation, System Architecture, Bug and Risk Report, Microservice Strategy, Technical Documentation, Recommended Modernization Plan, Binary Portability Findings, JCL and Dataset Inventory (when JCL present), and HLASM Modules (when HLASM present).	Enterprise

Supported File Types

CobolIntel recognizes 30+ file extensions and uses content-based classification when extensions are unknown.

COBOL programs (analyzed standalone)

Extension	Description
`.cbl`	Standard COBOL source
`.cob`	COBOL source (alternate extension)
`.cobol`	COBOL source (full extension)
`.src`	COBOL source
`.txt`	Plain text COBOL — content-detected

JCL and utility control (analyzed standalone)

Extension	Description
`.jcl`	Job Control Language
`.proc` / `.prc`	Cataloged procedure
`.cntl`	Control library extension
`.sysin`	Inline control card pattern
`.idcams` / `.icf`	IDCAMS standalone control
`.csd`	CICS CSD definitions

HLASM (analyzed standalone)

Extension	Description
`.asm` / `.mlc` / `.hlasm` / `.s`	HLASM assembler source
`.macro` / `.mac`	Macro definitions

IMS database definitions (supporting artifacts)

Extension	Description
`.dbd`	IMS Database Definition
`.psb`	IMS Program Specification Block

Screen maps (supporting artifacts)

Extension	Description
`.bms` / `.map`	CICS BMS map
`.mfs`	IMS MFS map
`.pan`	ISPF panel

Copybooks and includes (supporting artifacts)

Extension	Description
`.cpy` / `.copy`	COBOL copybook
`.inc`	INCLUDE file
`.dcl` / `.dclgen`	DB2 DCLGEN host variable copybook

Compile listings (analyzed for context)

Extension	Description
`.lst` / `.lis` / `.list`	Compiler listing — source plus compile options

Extension	Description
`.zip`	Multi-file package — Enterprise tier

File size limits

Starter: files up to 50KB, single file
Enterprise: unlimited file size, multi-file and ZIP batch processing

Files automatically excluded from analysis

Documentation and data files are recognized but excluded from analysis with a clear reason in the report:

.md · .markdown · .rst · .adoc · .html · .htm · .pdf · .docx · .doc · .odt · .rtf · .log · .out · .err · .csv · .json · .xml · .yaml · .yml

These appear in a “Files Not Analyzed” section in the report so reviewers can verify the engine accounted for every uploaded file.

Full Report

The Full Report is the comprehensive estate-level migration assurance output. Available with Enterprise. Contains up to 11 sections:

Portfolio Verdict — Per-program disposition table with 7 Rs framework recommendation, GO / NO-GO verdict, and rule-based rationale
Executive Brief — Cross-estate summary with Known Unknowns subsection (artifacts buyer should provide for higher-confidence analysis) and Board Brief subsection (3-sentence executive translation in business-impact language with no acronyms)
Plain English Explanation — Per-program narrative for non-technical stakeholders
System Architecture — Cross-program structure and call relationships
Bug and Risk Report — Findings tagged with evidence confidence labels: [observed] (visible in source), [inferred] (strong indirect cues), [assumed] (industry-typical default; confirm with additional artifacts)
Microservice Strategy — Domain-driven refactoring plan with API contracts and bounded context boundaries
Technical Documentation — Data dictionary, paragraph reference, interface specification
Recommended Modernization Plan — Sequenced migration roadmap with cost framing using Job Accounting chargeback baseline (1.5–2.5% of corporate annual sales) rather than IBM list pricing
Binary Portability Findings — COMP-5 endianness risk, packed-decimal precision concerns, signed/unsigned mapping per target language, S0C7 abend behavior across Java, Python, C#, Go, and JavaScript
JCL and Dataset Inventory — Auto-detected when JCL is present. Per-step utility recognition (IDCAMS, SORT, IEBGENER), GDG generation references, SMS class identification (DATACLAS / MGMTCLAS / STORCLAS), tape archive flagging, JES2 vs JES3 distinction
HLASM Modules — Auto-detected when HLASM is present. Macro expansion, DSECT mapping to COBOL parameter copybooks, AMODE/RMODE, SVC instruction migration blockers, Micro Focus ED vs ES distinction (ED supports compile and execute; ES supports neither)

The Full Report also includes a Language Environment runtime options block when LE markers (CEE3ABD, CEEMSG, CEEDUMP, CEEUOPT) are detected — covering TRAP, TERMTHDACT, HEAP, STACK, and ALL31 settings that affect migration target behavior.

7 Rs Modernization Framework

Every program receives a 7 Rs disposition recommendation:

Disposition	Meaning
Retire	No longer needed — decommission and remove
Retain	Keep on z/OS unchanged — typically because no automated path exists (HLASM) or the business case for migration does not justify the effort
Rehost	Lift-and-shift to alternative infrastructure with no code change
Replatform	Move to a new runtime with minimal code change — Micro Focus / Rocket Visual COBOL on Linux, GnuCOBOL for cost-sensitive cases, or workflow orchestrator for JCL
Refactor	In-place restructuring — REDEFINES become struct/union, OCCURS DEPENDING ON becomes dynamic collections, COMP-3 becomes BigDecimal/Decimal
Rearchitect	Architectural redesign — CICS pseudo-conversational becomes REST microservice, IMS hierarchy becomes document store with composite keys, embedded SQL with cursors becomes ORM with explicit transaction management
Replace	Discard and rebuild from business requirements using modern application

Pricing

Starter

Free forever

For developers and architects evaluating CobolIntel.

3 analyses per day (signed in) / 2 per day (anonymous)
19 core analysis modes — Explain, Bug Finder, Architecture, Java/Python/C#/SQL conversion, JCL Analyzer, Dead Code Analysis, and more
Files up to 50KB
Free account, no credit card required

Start Analyzing →

Enterprise

For banks, insurers, government agencies, and SI partners running production COBOL.

All 22 analysis modes including Migration Risk Assessment, Microservice Refactor, and Full Report + Roadmap
7 Rs disposition framework on every program
Multi-file and ZIP batch processing
Full mainframe coverage: COBOL, JCL, HLASM, BMS/MFS, CICS, IMS, DB2
Dependency Graph Map across portfolios
Cross-Program Audit and Variable Trace Map
Volume disposition reports across your full estate
Private deployment in your VPC or on-premise
SSO / SAML / SCIM
Audit logs and compliance reporting
Unlimited users and unlimited file size
Dedicated technical onboarding
Annual contract with named support contact

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my COBOL source code stored or used for training? +

No. CobolIntel does not store your source code and does not use it to train any model. Code is processed in memory and discarded after analysis. Enterprise customers can deploy privately in their own VPC or on-premise for additional control.

Can I analyze auto-generated COBOL? +

Yes. CobolIntel analyzes any standard COBOL regardless of how it was produced — hand-written, generated by a tool, or converted from another language.

Which COBOL dialects are supported? +

IBM z/OS (Enterprise COBOL), Micro Focus / Rocket (Visual COBOL / COBOL Server), and GnuCOBOL. Select the appropriate dialect before running analysis to ensure correct interpretation of dialect-specific syntax and extensions. Dialect can also be auto-detected from content.

How large can my files be? +

Starter tier supports files up to 50KB, single file only. Enterprise supports unlimited file size and multi-file/ZIP batch processing.

Do I need an account to use CobolIntel? +

A free account gives you 3 analyses per day. Anonymous use is supported with 2 analyses per day. Sign up at cobolintel.com — no credit card required for the free tier.

What is the 7 Rs framework? +

Every program in a Full Report or Migration Risk Assessment receives a 7 Rs disposition: Retire, Retain, Rehost, Replatform, Refactor, Rearchitect, or Replace. The framework gives a stronger structural answer than a single “go / no-go” call and lets you sequence your migration program by disposition complexity.

What is the Variable Trace Map? +

The Variable Trace Map is included in Full Report and conversion mode outputs. It provides a field-by-field mapping from COBOL variable names and PIC types to their converted equivalents, with precision risk ratings (EXACT / APPROXIMATE / MISMATCH) to identify data fidelity risks in migration.

What does Binary Portability cover? +

CobolIntel detects COMP-5 (Native Binary), COMP-3 (packed decimal), COMP-1/COMP-2 (HFP floating point), and signed/unsigned binary fields. It flags endianness risks (z/OS big-endian to x86 little-endian), HFP-to-IEEE-754 precision changes, signed-vs-unsigned default differences across target languages (Java signed only, C#/Go support unsigned), and S0C7 abend behavior mapped across Java, Python, C#, Go, and JavaScript runtimes.

What are Known Unknowns and Board Brief? +

Every Migration Risk Assessment and Full Report includes a Known Unknowns subsection listing artifacts the engine could not see (compile listing, IDCAMS LISTCAT, RACF profiles, SMS classes, CEEUOPT, scheduler artifacts) but which would refine the analysis if provided. The Board Brief subsection translates the top 3 risks into business-impact language with no acronyms — designed for steering committee or board review.

What about evidence confidence? +

Findings in Bug and Risk Report, Microservice Strategy, Recommended Modernization Plan, and Binary Portability Findings carry evidence tags: [observed] for findings directly visible in source, [inferred] for findings based on naming conventions or structural cues, [assumed] for findings based on industry-typical defaults (BIND options, DYNAM/NODYNAM, SMS classes, RACF profiles, LE runtime options) when the source does not reveal the answer.

How do I download my analysis report? +

Click the Download button in the output panel after analysis completes. Single-file analyses download as a self-contained HTML report. Multi-file analyses download a ZIP package containing one output per program, a variable_trace.csv with combined variable mappings, and a README.txt with generation summary, timestamp, mode, files processed, and migration notes. Reports open in any browser without an internet connection.

Is CobolIntel a code conversion tool, a documentation tool, or a migration assessment tool? +

CobolIntel does all three. Conversion modes (Java / Python / C# / SQL / Pipeline / COBOL) produce target-language output. Documentation modes (Document, Explain, Executive Brief) produce human-readable narrative. Assessment modes (Migration Risk Assessment, Full Report + Roadmap, Dep Graph Map, Cross-Program Audit) produce disposition decisions and migration sequencing for program owners and steering committees.

How do I contact support? +

Email support@cobolintel.com. Enterprise customers receive a dedicated named support contact.

Support

For technical questions, billing, or enterprise inquiries:

Email: support@cobolintel.com

Website: cobolintel.com

Enterprise customers receive a dedicated named contact and named support SLA.

COBOL_INTEL — User Guide