System and method for discovering host-based application assets for the development of business-centric software components

摘要

A method in a computer system is disclosed for discovering host-based legacy screen assets. The system has a client, a server and a host, including a repository. The method comprises the steps of creating an application object comprising a collection of the legacy screen assets; and, creating a recognition file for storing constituent elements of the legacy screen assets. After this, a first stream of data representative of the legacy screen asset is received from the host in response to a request by the client for data fields. Next, the first data stream is parsed into constituent elements and stored in the recognition file and then the constituent elements are associated with the screen assets. The constituent elements of the first data stream are appended to the recognition file for the screen assets; and, then they are associated with data names that are stored in the repository, thereby creating a specification for each of said legacy screen assets.