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 Assessment: Independent modernization decision intelligence before choosing a migration vendor, platform, or transformation path. The offline Enterprise Scanner keeps raw source and source-identifying details inside the customer environment and creates a validated evidence package for Portfolio Assessment, Decision Brief, Technical Appendix, Provenance, and related deliverables. Contact Us for an engagement 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 when the compiler is known. Auto-detection is a source classification aid, not proof of the compiler/runtime; provide a compiler listing and build evidence when dialect-specific behavior matters.

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. For JCL, the output is a candidate orchestration draft; the appropriate framework and operational design depend on the customer’s target platform, workload, controls, and runtime requirements.

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 technical observations with candidate disposition, categorical evidence sufficiency, missing evidence, conflicts, and required validation. A final disposition is not established from source syntax alone.	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 technical-candidate and evidence-state coloring plus blast-radius analysis.	Enterprise
Full Report + Roadmap ENT MULTI-FILE	Comprehensive estate-level analysis with Portfolio Decision Status, Executive Brief, Plain English Explanation, System Architecture, Bug and Risk Report, candidate modernization considerations, Technical Documentation, 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 Decision Status — Per-program candidate disposition, categorical evidence sufficiency, supporting and missing evidence, conflicts, and next validation
Executive Brief — Cross-estate summary with Known Unknowns subsection (artifacts the customer should provide to complete the evidence) and Board Brief subsection
Plain English Explanation — Per-program narrative for non-technical stakeholders
System Architecture — Cross-program structure and call relationships
Bug and Risk Report — Separates source-derived observations, inference, customer-provided information, and unknown evidence
Architecture Evaluation — Candidate boundaries and validation questions; source syntax does not establish a rearchitecture decision
Technical Documentation — Data dictionary, paragraph reference, interface specification
Modernization Validation Plan — Required evidence and tests before a candidate disposition can become a final decision; no unsupported cost or schedule estimate is generated
Binary Portability Findings — COMP-5 and packed-decimal observations with compiler, runtime, build, storage, interface, and input-data evidence requirements
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. Records technical constructs and migration questions; current target or vendor capability requires dated product/version evidence

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

Source analysis may produce a technical candidate for evaluation. A final 7 Rs disposition requires the listed business, operational, dependency, target-fit, and owner evidence:

Disposition	Meaning
Retire	Requires confirmed non-use, cleared dependencies, and business-owner approval
Retain	Requires continued business value and acceptable operational and risk posture
Rehost	Requires target compatibility and operational-fit evidence
Replatform	Requires target compatibility and operational-fit evidence; syntax cannot select a runtime or vendor
Refactor	Requires a supported maintainability or technical-change case
Rearchitect	Requires business or architectural justification for structural redesign
Repurchase	Requires a viable packaged replacement and verified requirements fit

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
Evidence-bound 7R technical candidates and required next validations
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
Offline Enterprise Scanner keeps raw source inside the customer environment
Validated evidence package drives Portfolio Assessment and deliverables
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

How is source handled in Hosted Analysis and Enterprise Assessment? +

Hosted Analysis: submitted source is processed through CobolIntel and may be processed by supported AI providers. Standard hosted analysis does not intentionally write raw source to durable application storage, although some features may temporarily cache it in memory. Provider terms and settings govern provider retention and training practices. Enterprise Assessment: the offline scanner keeps raw source, excerpts, filenames, paths, locators, and line coordinates local. Only a validated evidence package crosses the assessment boundary. The Report Service may retain evidence packages and related assessment records for reports, provenance, and deliverables; optional AI narratives may process sanitized source-derived evidence after consent.

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? +

The analyzer can apply IBM z/OS, Rocket Enterprise Suite (including products formerly sold as Micro Focus Enterprise products), or GnuCOBOL dialect rules. Rocket and Micro Focus are not the same company. Auto-detection is a source classification aid; use a customer-supplied compiler listing and build evidence when compiler/runtime behavior affects a conclusion.

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? +

A Full Report or Migration Risk Assessment may identify a technical candidate among Retire, Retain, Rehost, Replatform, Refactor, Rearchitect, or Repurchase. A final disposition remains NOT ESTABLISHED until its business, operational, dependency, target-fit, testing, commercial, and owner evidence requirements are satisfied.

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, COMP-3, COMP-1/COMP-2, and signed/unsigned binary declarations as technical observations. Exact range, byte order, floating-point behavior, S0C7 outcome, and target compatibility require compiler/runtime version, build options, storage and interface evidence, representative input data, and controlled behavioral tests.

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 sufficiency? +

Decision sections use categorical evidence sufficiency and identify source-derived observations, inference, customer-provided information, independently verified evidence, conflicts, and unknowns. Missing runtime or business evidence remains unknown; it is not replaced with an industry default or neutral score.

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 candidate target-language output for validation. Documentation modes (Document, Explain, Executive Brief) produce human-readable narrative. Assessment modes (Migration Risk Assessment, Full Report + Roadmap, Dep Graph Map, Cross-Program Audit) identify technical candidates, evidence gaps, and sequencing inputs. A final strategic disposition is produced only when its evidence contract is satisfied.

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