IBM i DDS to DDL Modernization
for a Leading Food Production Company
About the Client
A leading producer, processor, and exporter of pork products catering to national and international markets since 1995. Headquartered in the U.S., they manufacture and deliver a wide array of products to over 30 countries worldwide. Comprising over 5,500 employees, 8 feed mills, and 3 processing plants across 5 states, they are committed to supplying quality, wholesome food to the table.
- Industry: Manufacturing
- Platforms: IBM i
The Challenge
The organization relied on a large database environment built on legacy DDS definitions, including a significant number of DDS-defined database files generated through Synon. As the business looked to modernize its technology stack, aging database structures, complex application dependencies, and limited support for modern SQL capabilities created challenges for ongoing maintenance and future development initiatives. The company needed a modernization strategy that would improve flexibility and governance while ensuring existing business applications continued to operate without disruption.
Our Solution
Programmers.io developed a comprehensive modernization strategy that combined automated conversion, impact analysis, application remediation, and database enhancement.
Assessment and Impact Analysis
Programmers.io began the engagement with a comprehensive assessment of the client's IBM i environment to understand the scope of the modernization effort. This included analyzing database objects, application dependencies, reporting tools, integrations, and business-critical processes. The resulting impact analysis identified all affected components, helping the team mitigate risk and develop a structured modernization roadmap.
Synon DDS to DDL Conversion
The team converted thousands of Synon-managed DDS-defined database objects into modern SQL DDL structures while preserving existing functionality and business rules. Special attention was given to maintaining key structures, access paths, and relationships to ensure a seamless transition without disrupting day-to-day operations.
Automated Conversion Framework
To accelerate the migration and improve consistency, Programmers.io designed and implemented a custom conversion utility tailored to the client's application landscape to convert native DDS objects into SQL DDL. The framework automated the generation of DDL statements, preserved critical database attributes, and reduced the manual effort typically associated with large-scale modernization initiatives.
Application Remediation
Following the database conversion, all impacted applications were reviewed and updated to ensure compatibility with the new database architecture. This work included modifying RPG programs, resolving dependencies, updating file access methods, and conducting extensive testing to validate performance and functionality across the environment.
Audit Framework Modernization
As part of the modernization initiative, Programmers.io implemented a standardized audit framework across the database environment. New audit capabilities enabled automated tracking of record creation, updates, user activity, and timestamps, providing greater visibility and governance while reducing the need for custom application-level auditing logic.
Results
The client successfully modernized its IBM i database environment by converting approximately 3,000 DDS-defined objects to SQL DDL, creating a more maintainable and future-ready architecture. The initiative improved data governance, introduced standardized auditing capabilities, reduced reliance on legacy Synon-based database definitions, and positioned the organization to more easily pursue future application modernization projects. Most importantly, the transformation was completed while preserving the functionality and stability of critical business applications
Technologies Used
Our software architects and engineers are experts in using the latest technologies.
- IBM i (AS/400)
- SQL DDL
- DDS
- Synon / CA 2E
- RPG / ILE RPG
- Custom Automation Utilities
- IBM Db2 for i
Business Impact
By modernizing its database architecture from DDS to DDL, the organization positioned itself for long-term innovation while preserving the stability of its existing IBM i applications. The project enabled the adoption of modern database standards, improved governance, reduced technical debt, and established a scalable foundation for future modernization efforts.
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