Company provides outsorced compilers

Syspoint is making its new service Syspoint Virtual Compiler (SVC) available. The idea is to save compiler license fees by automating the process of outsourcing customer compiles to one of Syspoint’s dedicated compile facilities.

Syspoint’s Virtual Compiler replaces a legacy compiler with an automated front end for FTP (File Transfer Protocol). The Syspoint program transfers the customer’s source code to one of Syspoint’s compile facilities, compiles it there (using the identical compilers the customer would be using), and transfers the object code and listing files back to the customer’s machine. The company says that programmers experience little or no visible difference.

A dedicated line, virtual private network (VPN), or Transport Layer Security (TLS) is used to protect the customer’s source code while in transit. A dedicated machine and rigorously controlled access protects the compile itself. No customer source code is stored on Syspoint’s machines.

The first of a family of virtual compilers, Syspoint’s initial offering automates the outsourcing of IBM’s Enterprise COBOL for z/OS, COBOL for OS/390 and VM, COBOL II and OS/VS COBOL. Additional compilers currently in beta test include more versions of COBOL and PL/1. Products in development replace C/C++ and Fortran.