The modernization of enterprise applications does not need to start with the complete replacement of the systems that support operations. In many scenarios, it is possible to advance through the evolution of technology, user experience, and the tools used by development teams.
This approach is present in the isCOBOL Evolve 2026 Release 2 (2026 R2), the new version of Veryant's platform, which includes enhancements in the COBOL language, new graphical components, resources for the development environment, and execution optimizations.
The new features reinforce the continuous evolution of the platform and expand the possibilities for application modernization, preserving the existing codebase as part of the technological strategy.
More interactive interfaces for enterprise applications
Among the highlights of the version are new graphical components that expand the possibilities for interaction in isCOBOL applications.
The new progress bar allows for a visual representation of the progress of lengthy operations, while the buttons of type toggle provide a visual alternative for controls that switch between two states.
The version also incorporates three Java Bean components: DropZone, Rating, and SignatureBox. They allow, respectively, to receive files via drag and drop, collect ratings through a visual scale, and capture signatures directly in the application.
These components are compatible with ThinClient and WebClient environments and can be used in grid cells, expanding the possibilities for building interfaces.
In practice, the new features allow for the development of interactions that are more suited to user needs without the modernization of the experience necessarily depending on the complete replacement of the application.
More productivity in COBOL development
The isCOBOL 2026 R2 also presents improvements in the Veryant extension for Microsoft Visual Studio Code.
Among them are the visualization of code structure, automatic formatting, and enhancements to IntelliSense for COPY files, including support for different syntaxes used in COBOL.
The update also introduces parameterized sections, which allow for receiving arguments and returning values, promoting modularity and code reuse without requiring the creation of a separate subprogram for each situation.
Other enhancements include the ternary operator and features related to object-oriented programming, such as object type checking and automatic resource management for resources that need to be closed, such as files and database connections.
Together, these changes offer new possibilities to organize, develop, and maintain COBOL applications, keeping up with more current development practices.
Monitoring and diagnosis of applications
The new version also expands the resources available for monitoring and investigating problems.
Among the new features are mechanisms to track SQL statements embedded in the code and resources that allow capturing memory and thread information in ThinClient sessions directly from the applications.
These functionalities can support technical teams in behavior analysis and incident investigation, contributing to maintenance and diagnosis activities in corporate environments.
Performance optimizations
Another highlight of isCOBOL 2026 R2 is the optimizations implemented in the generation of classes executed by the Java platform.
In the presentation of the version, Veryant demonstrated internal tests with execution time reductions of 83% to 94% in four specific operations after recompiling the code.
The results presented involve operations such as searches in indexed tables, initialization of structures, and method calls. The percentages correspond to the scenarios evaluated by the manufacturer and do not represent a generalized or guaranteed gain for all applications.
Effective performance depends on the characteristics of the system, the workload, and the environment in which the application is executed. Therefore, evaluation in each scenario remains important to identify the potential benefits of an upgrade.
Modernization without losing business knowledge
COBOL applications often concentrate business rules, processes, and knowledge accumulated over many years. Evolving these environments requires considering not only the technology but also the continuity of operations and existing dependencies.
Updates like those of isCOBOL 2026 R2 expand the options available for organizations seeking to enhance their applications, improve user experience, and keep up with the evolution of development practices.
Modernization, in this context, can be conducted in a planned manner, assessing which resources make sense for each environment and how to incorporate them into the existing architecture.
INTERON and the evolution of business applications
INTERON follows the evolution of technologies aimed at modernizing business applications, connecting platforms, technical knowledge, and business needs.
Knowing the updates of solutions like isCOBOL helps evaluate opportunities for evolution and supports decisions about the future of critical applications.
More than just updating tools, the challenge is to identify how technology can continue to meet business demands, preserving the knowledge already embedded in the systems and creating conditions for its evolution.
INTERON — Evolving Business Applications.
Technical source: Veryant, isCOBOL Evolve 2026 Release 2 Overview.
Check the updates of isCOBOL Evolve 2026 R2 on the official Veryant website..