MySQL -- Cobol

[Zeroanarchy]

Has anyone worked on developing a method of talking between Cobol and MySQL.

I am currently working at a site that has a Cobol back end and the concept is to access this information via PHP for web purpose. I am gathering that services will have to be developed to ensure both sources of information are kept up to date but I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has embarked on a similar project and what the outcome was.

Cheers

ZeroAnarchy
Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake
when you make it again.

 

[ingresman]

You might be able to use the C interface but it would need some work. Or you could expose the mysql data as web services (even as a simple accept an SQL statement) and consume that way.
What COBOL platform you talking about Microfocus on Unix or perhaps a mainframe ?

 

[Zeroanarchy]

Thanks ingresman, I believe Cobol is sitting on a mainframe. I have heard of services that are available in PHP to request information from the Cobol system but have not heard of anyone who has attempted this method.

example:

http://devzone.zend.com/article/1912-Integrating-PHP-with-System-i-using-Web-Services

and this example for MicroFocus:

http://mfcobol.smos.org/

I would be interesting from anyone who has used these methods and wheather they where successful or not.

Cheers

ZeroAnarchy
Experience is a wonderful thing. It enables you to recognize a mistake
when you make it again.

 

[ingresman]

You need to find out the platform. If it's on windows or unix and it's MF cobol you should have no issue using web services or even creating your own handler like the MF example.
The zend article for series I is what used to be as/400. If your on a S390 mf you will have to go via CICS transaction server if it has support for HTTP swithed on.
Or you could use MQ (the IBM message queue technology) which will run on any IBM machie and most IBM should have it.
I think you need to understand the COBOL envrionment before you can get any real headway.
I do suggest web services will be the way to go and you can lots of advice on that here.