AUTOMATION

COBOL Code Debugging with Hopper

Autonomous AI-driven debugging of COBOL programs on mainframes

Updated: 5/13/2026
Difficulty
hard
Time
varies
Use Case
Mainframe development - automate repetitive debugging and code patching workflows
Popularity
0 views

About this automation

An AI agent operates autonomously within the TN3270/ISPF environment to debug COBOL programs. The agent can find source members, check copybooks, locate compile JCL, submit jobs, read JES/SYSPRINT output, interpret condition codes, patch fixed-width source, and resubmit—all without human intervention.

How to implement

1

Access Hopper agentic development environment

2

Describe the COBOL issue or desired change in natural language

3

Agent navigates TN3270 terminal and ISPF panels

4

Agent locates relevant source members and copybooks

5

Agent submits compile jobs and monitors JES output

6

Agent interprets error codes and condition codes

7

Agent patches source code and resubmits

8

Agent reports results and changes back to developer