Legacy Code Services

Your Code Has a Future.
Even If It's Written in the Past.

SpecterDC

Source code recovery. COBOL to modern languages. Legacy system modernization. We bring aging codebases into the present—whether you have the source or not.

The Legacy Problem

Your business runs on code written decades ago. The original developers are gone. Documentation is sparse or missing. The language is obsolete. Finding someone who understands it is nearly impossible.

But that code works. It's battle-tested. It contains years of business logic that can't be easily replicated.

You don't need to start over. You need a bridge to the future.

What We Do

Source Code Recovery

Lost your source? We can recover it. Using advanced decompilation and reverse engineering, we reconstruct readable, maintainable source code from compiled binaries. Your code isn't gone—it's just hiding.

COBOL Conversion

COBOL to Java. COBOL to C#. COBOL to Python. We translate legacy mainframe code into modern languages while preserving business logic. Keep what works. Lose what doesn't.

Legacy Modernization

Not just translation—transformation. We refactor, restructure, and modernize your codebase. Add APIs. Improve architecture. Make it maintainable. Same functionality. Modern foundation.

Feature Addition

Need new features in legacy systems? We add modern capabilities to existing codebases—APIs, integrations, UI updates—without breaking what works. Extend. Don't replace.

Binary Analysis

Understand what your software does without source code. We analyze compiled programs to document functionality, identify vulnerabilities, and map business logic. See inside the black box.

Code Rescue

Corrupted files. Incomplete backups. Partial migrations gone wrong. We piece together what remains and fill in the gaps. Salvage what you can. Rebuild what you can't.

Languages We Work With

From legacy to modern—and everything in between

Legacy Languages

  • COBOL
  • FORTRAN
  • Pascal
  • PL/I
  • RPG
  • Assembly (various)
  • BASIC variants
  • NATURAL

Target Languages

  • Java
  • C# / .NET
  • Python
  • Go
  • Rust
  • TypeScript
  • Swift
  • Kotlin

Platforms

  • IBM Mainframe
  • AS/400 / IBM i
  • VAX/VMS
  • Unix variants
  • Windows legacy
  • DOS applications
  • Embedded systems
  • Custom hardware

How It Works

1

Discovery

We analyze what you have—source code, binaries, documentation, or just a working system. We identify the scope, complexity, and best approach.

2

Analysis

Deep dive into the existing code. We map business logic, data flows, and dependencies. You get a complete picture of what the system does.

3

Translation

Code is converted to your target language. We preserve functionality while improving structure. Automated where possible, expert review throughout.

4

Validation

Rigorous testing ensures the new code behaves identically to the original. Side-by-side comparison, regression testing, and edge case verification.

5

Delivery

You receive clean, documented, maintainable code. We provide knowledge transfer so your team can take it forward. Ongoing support available.

Common Scenarios

"Our COBOL developer retired."

No one understands the code anymore. We translate it to a language your current team knows.

"We lost the source code."

It happens. We recover readable source from your compiled binaries.

"The vendor went out of business."

No more support. No more updates. We reverse engineer and modernize so you're not stuck.

"We need an API for our mainframe."

Legacy system meets modern integration. We add REST APIs without disrupting core functionality.

"Auditors want documentation."

We analyze your system and produce comprehensive documentation of what it does.

"We're migrating to the cloud."

Mainframe to AWS/Azure/GCP. We translate, refactor, and containerize.

Let's Talk About Your Code

Every legacy system is different. Tell us what you're working with and what you need. We'll assess the scope and provide an honest evaluation.

Initial consultations are free. NDA available upon request.