Introduction

Modernizing legacy applications is a key challenge for many organizations looking to stay competitive in an ever-evolving technological landscape. Progress 4GL (Advanced Business Language) has been a staple in building business applications for decades, but with the rapid changes in technology, legacy systems built with Progress 4GL often need to be updated to align with modern development practices and infrastructure. This course focuses on strategies, best practices, and tools for modernizing legacy applications that are built using Progress 4GL, while maintaining business continuity, improving performance, and enhancing functionality.

The training will cover the steps required to assess, refactor, and re-architect Progress 4GL-based applications for modern platforms, including cloud integration, mobile access, and microservices. Participants will learn how to optimize the existing codebase, streamline processes, and migrate legacy applications to more scalable, maintainable, and flexible environments. Modernization with Progress 4GL will enable organizations to leverage the benefits of cloud computing, better integration with new technologies, and a more efficient development lifecycle.

Prerequisites

• Knowledge of Progress 4GL and basic application development concepts
• Familiarity with the Progress OpenEdge platform
• Understanding of legacy application challenges
• Experience in basic software development and database management
• Familiarity with modern development trends such as cloud computing, APIs, and mobile development

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to Legacy Application Modernization

1.1 What is Legacy System Modernization?
1.2 Why Modernize Legacy Applications Built with Progress 4GL?
1.3 Key Challenges in Modernizing Legacy Systems
1.4 The Role of Progress 4GL in Modernization

2. Assessing Legacy Applications

2.1 Conducting a Comprehensive Assessment of the Legacy System
2.2 Identifying Core Functionalities and Components for Modernization
2.3 Determining Business Impact and Prioritizing Features
2.4 Creating a Roadmap for Application Modernization
2.5 Tools and Techniques for Assessing Legacy Applications

3. Refactoring Progress 4GL Code for Modern Environments

3.1 Best Practices for Refactoring Legacy Code
3.2 Improving Code Quality and Performance
3.3 Modularization and Reusability of Code Components
3.4 Enhancing Maintainability and Reducing Technical Debt
3.5 Automating Refactoring with Tools

4. Re-Architecting Legacy Applications for Modern Platforms

4.1 Transitioning from Monolithic to Modular Architecture
4.2 Designing for Cloud Integration: OpenEdge to Cloud
4.3 Implementing Microservices Architecture
4.4 Integrating with Modern Databases and Technologies
4.5 API-First Development for Interoperability

5. Migrating Legacy Progress 4GL Applications to Cloud

5.1 Benefits of Cloud Migration for Legacy Systems
5.2 Best Approaches for Migrating OpenEdge Databases to the Cloud
5.3 Migrating Business Logic and Code to Cloud-Based Infrastructure
5.4 Ensuring Data Security, Compliance, and Backup in the Cloud
5.5 Leveraging Cloud Native Services for Scalability

6. Integrating Legacy Applications with Modern Tools

6.1 API Integration for Legacy Systems
6.2 Connecting Progress 4GL with External Web Services
6.3 Integrating with New Front-End Technologies (e.g., Web, Mobile)
6.4 Using OpenEdge for Data and Workflow Integration
6.5 Automating Legacy Integration through Middleware

7. Enhancing User Experience (UX) in Modernized Applications

7.1 Modernizing the User Interface (UI) of Legacy Applications
7.2 Implementing Responsive and Mobile-Friendly Design
7.3 Enhancing UX with New Front-End Technologies (e.g., Angular, React)
7.4 User-Centered Design Principles in Modernization
7.5 Transitioning to Web-Based and Mobile Solutions

8. Performance Tuning and Optimization in Modernized Applications

8.1 Optimizing Legacy Code for Speed and Efficiency
8.2 Database Performance Improvements with OpenEdge
8.3 Load Balancing and Auto-Scaling in Cloud Environments
8.4 Implementing Caching Strategies for Speed
8.5 Monitoring and Performance Tuning After Migration

9. Testing Modernized Applications

9.1 Creating Test Plans for Modernized Systems
9.2 Automated Testing for Legacy and Modern Systems
9.3 Performance and Load Testing in the Cloud
9.4 Ensuring Compatibility Across Platforms and Devices
9.5 Validating Business Logic and Integrations

10. Continuous Integration and Deployment for Modernized Systems

10.1 Implementing CI/CD for Progress 4GL Applications
10.2 Automating Deployments in Cloud and On-Premise
10.3 Managing Version Control and Code Updates
10.4 Monitoring Deployments and Rollbacks
10.5 Best Practices for Ongoing Maintenance and Updates

11. Leveraging Modern Frameworks and Tools in Progress 4GL Applications

11.1 Integrating OpenEdge with Contemporary Frameworks
11.2 Utilizing Docker and Kubernetes for Containerized Deployment
11.3 Integrating with DevOps Toolchains for Streamlined Development
11.4 Using Cloud-Native Tools to Enhance Legacy App Development
11.5 Adopting New Frameworks and Methodologies in OpenEdge Applications

12. Conclusion

12.1 Summary of Key Techniques in Legacy Application Modernization
12.2 Overcoming Challenges in Migrating Legacy Progress 4GL Applications
12.3 Future Trends in Progress 4GL Modernization
12.4 Maintaining and Scaling Modernized Applications
12.5 Next Steps in Enhancing Legacy Application Infrastructure

Modernizing legacy applications built with Progress 4GL offers businesses the opportunity to align their critical systems with contemporary technologies, while preserving the business logic that has served them over the years. By refactoring, re-architecting, and migrating applications to cloud platforms, organizations can gain better scalability, performance, and integration with newer technologies. This course equips developers with the knowledge and tools needed to undertake this transformation, ensuring that legacy systems continue to meet the demands of a rapidly changing digital landscape. Through cloud integration, improved UX, and modern architecture patterns such as microservices, businesses can future-proof their applications and enhance their overall IT infrastructure for continued success.