> We are converting ... some COBOL programs to JAVA to do some WEB voodoo.

Have you considered to use Java only for the Web Voodoo and retain
the (slightly modified) COBOL code for the heads-down business code
and transactions? For example by running the COBOL code as a child
process of the Java VM or in a separate server job?

Lars "just a thought"


PS... I've even been lazy enough to use the telnet protocol to have
Java code invoke and "remote control" native code programs "behind the
scenes". This way, the modifications on the native side were marginal
(e.g. no need to add NetIPC or socket routines or somesuch).