Migrating RPG Code to Modern Languages: A Practical Playbook for Teams Modernizing IBM i Applications

Modernize with Confidence. Migrate with Clarity.

Migrating RPG Code to Modern Languages is the ultimate guide for teams facing the challenge of modernizing legacy systems built in IBM RPG. This hands-on book demystifies the migration journey—from strategic planning to deep technical execution—giving you the tools, insights, and confidence to move forward.

Drawing on years of experience in software language engineering and real-world migrations, Federico Tomassetti walks you through the why, how, and what of successful modernization. You’ll learn how to evaluate if migration is right for your business, how to avoid costly pitfalls, and how to execute with precision and purpose.

Whether you’re a CTO exploring long-term options, an engineering manager tasked with transformation, or a developer navigating a legacy system, this book offers clear explanations, practical strategies, and honest advice grounded in experience.

Inside, you’ll find:

• How to assess if a migration is the right decision—and when to act.

• What a real migration looks like, step by step.

• Technical challenges you’ll face (RPG, CL, DDS, SQL) and how to handle them.

• How to reduce scope, build momentum, and validate along the way.

• Tips for managing team dynamics, from legacy experts to new developers.

This isn’t a theoretical textbook. It’s a companion for the journey. Because migrations are more than just technical rewrites—they’re high-stakes, high-reward transformations. And with the right guidance, they’re absolutely achievable.