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VX/MMS - OpenVMS MMS to make and XML

Description:

VX/MMS parses VMS/OpenVMS MMS (Module Management System) files and converts them into XML representations, enabling automated Linux makefile generation. This ensures seamless execution of MMS scripts on Linux while preserving dependencies, build rules, and source relationships. Additionally, VX/MMS supports VMS code scanning, allowing organizations to analyze dependencies and estimate migration costs.

By integrating with Sector7’s Continuous Integration (CI) migration tools, VX/MMS enables no-code-freeze migrations, ensuring that development can continue on VMS while automatically generating a Linux-compatible version in minutes.

MMS to XML: Streamlining the Migration Process

Generating XML from MMS

VX/MMS transforms MMS files into structured XML, capturing:

Target dependencies

Rules and build steps

DCL syntax conversions

Macro definitions

This XML representation allows for automated build process adaptation, supporting both Linux and Windows environments.

XML to Makefile: Automating Build Scripts

Once the MMS is converted to XML, it can be translated into Linux/Windows makefiles using Sector7’s inbuilt XML-to-Make engine.

MMS Targets & Rules → Makefile Syntax

DCL Commands → Linux Equivalent Commands or VX/DCL Execution

Macro Definitions → Makefile Variables

Executing MMS Scripts on Linux

VX/MMS provides direct execution support, allowing MMS rules to be interpreted and run on Linux via VX/DCL.

This ensures that build systems remain functional post-migration, even when relying on legacy DCL-based commands.

Continuous Integration with VX/MMS

Seamless VMS to Linux Code Migration

VX/MMS is fully integrated into Sector7’s CI migration pipeline, allowing teams to:

Continue developing on VMS/OpenVMS

Automatically translate MMS to XML and Makefiles

Run builds on Linux in minutes

By integrating with Sector7 translators, VX/MMS ensures that VMS-specific syntax is automatically converted to ANSI-standard equivalents, enabling 100% build automation.

Supported MMS Syntax

VX/MMS recognizes and translates key MMS syntax elements, including:

Targets and Dependencies

Rules for build execution

Conditional statements (.IFDEF, .ELSE, .ENDIF)

Macro Assignments (MACRO = VALUE)

DCL Commands (COPY, DELETE, LINK, etc.)

Example Target Definition
TARGET : target_name {dependency_list } { dcl_statements }
Supported DCL Statements

File Operations: COPY, DELETE, RENAME, PURGE

Language Compilation: CC, COBOL, CXX, FORTRAN

Repository Handling: VX/CDD Integration

Forms Processing: VX/DECFORMS Integration

Messaging: VX/MSG for message compilation

These commands are either translated to Linux equivalents or executed using VX/DCL.

VX/MMS File Conversion Overview

Input File VX/MMS Output Files Description
Filename.mms Filename.xml XML representation of the MMS file for structured build adaptation.
Filename.make Generated makefile for execution on Linux or Windows.
Filename.scan Analysis file containing details on dependencies and migration scope.

Conclusion

VX/MMS simplifies the migration of VMS/OpenVMS build environments by converting MMS files into XML and automatically generating Linux/Windows makefiles. Integrated with Sector7’s CI tools, VX/MMS enables automated VMS-to-Linux migration with no code freeze, ensuring teams can continue developing on VMS while seamlessly transitioning to modern platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Curious about how Sector7 can facilitate your application migration? Explore our FAQs for expert insights.

What is VX/MMS and how does it help with OpenVMS migrations?

VX/MMS parses VMS/OpenVMS MMS (Module Management System) files and converts them into XML representations, enabling automated Linux makefile generation. This tool preserves dependencies, build rules, and source relationships while ensuring seamless execution of MMS scripts on Linux.

By integrating with Sector7's Continuous Integration migration tools, VX/MMS enables no-code-freeze migrations, allowing development to continue on VMS while automatically generating Linux-compatible versions. To discuss your migration requirements, contact us.

What MMS syntax elements does VX/MMS support?

VX/MMS recognizes and translates key MMS syntax including targets and dependencies, rules for build execution, conditional statements, macro assignments, and DCL commands.

How does VX/MMS convert MMS files to XML?

VX/MMS transforms MMS files into structured XML, capturing target dependencies, rules and build steps, DCL syntax conversions, and macro definitions for automated build process adaptation.

What is the workflow for generating Linux makefiles from MMS?

The process involves MMS targets and rules converting to makefile syntax, DCL commands translating to Linux equivalents or VX/DCL execution, and macro definitions becoming makefile variables.

How does VX/MMS handle DCL commands and file operations?

VX/MMS supports comprehensive DCL statement handling including file operations like COPY, DELETE, RENAME, and PURGE, plus language compilation commands for CC, COBOL, CXX, and FORTRAN. It also integrates with repository handling through VX/CDD and forms processing via VX/DECFORMS.

Organizations like DuPont have successfully leveraged similar build automation strategies during their modernization projects.

Can VX/MMS analyze dependencies and estimate migration costs?

Yes, VX/MMS supports VMS code scanning, allowing organizations to analyze dependencies and estimate migration costs through detailed analysis files.

How does VX/MMS integrate with Continuous Integration pipelines?

VX/MMS is fully integrated into Sector7's CI migration pipeline, enabling teams to continue developing on VMS/OpenVMS while automatically translating MMS to XML and makefiles, with builds running on Linux in minutes.

What are the key benefits and results of using VX/MMS?

VX/MMS simplifies migration of VMS/OpenVMS build environments by converting MMS files into XML and automatically generating Linux makefiles. The tool ensures 100% build automation while preserving all dependencies and build relationships.

Organizations achieve seamless VMS-to-Linux migration with no code freeze, maintaining development velocity throughout the transition process. Companies like Allianz have successfully modernized their build environments using similar approaches.

To explore how VX/MMS can streamline your build migration, contact us for a consultation.

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