Stronger than ever

developed a legacy software reengineering capability that parses and converts JOVIAL source files into language-neutral graph-based representations of their operation. This article introduces three suggested types of software wrappers and describes their use as a key technology for modernizing legacy systems, discusses a process for selecting which upgrade path to use, and explains a new tool-set that automatically generates wrappers. This article describes a commercial off-the-shelf-based replacement strategy that can reuse existing software code while providing a flexible framework for incremental upgrades and managed change. It is now possible to transform system applications code and databases at automation levels that exceed 99 percent to migrate legacy systems to a modern computing environment while preserving their processes. The authors in this article show how the spiral model and its recent extension – Model-Based Architecting and Software Engineering – can be used to tailor a project's balance of discipline and flexibility via risk considerations. CrossTalk Kent Bingham, Digital Illustration and Design, is a self-taught graphic artist/designer who freelances print and Web design projects.