Concept recognition-based program transformation

An approach is described that applies a transformation paradigm to automate software maintenance activities. The approach to code-to-code (horizontal) transformation is based on a high-level understanding of the programming and application domain concepts represented by the code. A very unique characteristic of this approach is its use of concept recognition, the understanding and abstraction of high-level programming and application domain entities in programs, as the basis for transformations. A program transformation tool has been developed to support the migration of a large manufacturing control system written in COBOL