Bidirectional Fidelity
~95% round-trip accuracy between OpenAPI 3.0 specifications and RPG ILE code. Complex nested structures, arrays, and metadata are preserved without manual intervention.
Architecture • Integration • IP Transfer
The RPGTools Engine:
Modernization Infrastructure,
Ready to Integrate
A decoupled, zero-runtime parsing and generation core that automates RPG‑to‑API modernization — built over multiple years of focused R&D, available for OEM integration and asset transfer.
Not a project to build — a product to integrate.
~95%
Round-trip fidelity
90%+
Test coverage
0
Runtime dependencies
3
Delivery interfaces
5
Languages supported
The Design-First Engineering Gap
Most IBM i tools handle Code-First (RPG to API). RPGTools solves the harder problem.
Zero-Runtime Dependency
A pure build-time analyzer. No proprietary runtime libraries to install on client partitions — removing a major friction point for enterprise sales and adoption.
Headless Core
The standalone Python engine can be embedded into existing CI/CD pipelines, wrapped in a proprietary interface, or exposed as a microservice. VS Code and Web UI are just clients.
Decoupled Architecture
Modern, open-standard foundations — easy to maintain, easy to staff.
+---------------------------------------+
| VS Code Extension |
| TypeScript - Native Client |
+-------------------+-------------------+
| JSON / HTTP
+-------------------+-------------------+
| Core Engine |
| Python 3.11+ - Standalone |
| Parsers - Generators - Validators |
+-------------------+-------------------+
|
+-------------------+-------------------+
| Transport Abstraction |
| SSH - ODBC - Local FS - Mock |
+---------------------------------------+
Key point: The Core Engine is completely isolated from the UI layer. It can be deployed as a CLI tool, a microservice, or bundled within a desktop application.
Core Engine (Python)
- Parses RPG / SQLRPGLE (free & fixed format)
- Resolves includes and prototypes
- Detects REST endpoints via metadata
- Generates OpenAPI 3.x specifications
- Produces RPG skeletons and templates
- Applies validation and consistency rules
Delivery Interfaces
- CLI: Batch execution, CI/CD integration, automation
- Web UI: Configuration editor, enterprise management, logs
- VS Code: Structure navigation, preview, remote IBM i
All three share the same engine — identical results everywhere.
Transport Layer
- Local filesystem
- IBM i IFS via SSH/SFTP (Paramiko)
- DB2 services via ODBC
- Mock transport for testing
Unified abstraction — same workflows locally or against remote IBM i systems.
Build vs. Acquire
Accelerate your modernization roadmap by 12–18 months.
The Cost of Building
- ✗ 12+ months R&D — to build a reliable RPG parser and OpenAPI generator
- ✗ Edge-case complexity — nested arrays, DIM(), LIKEDS, mixed free/fixed formats
- ✗ Scarce talent — developers fluent in both RPG and modern API tooling are rare
- ✗ Ongoing maintenance — evolving VS Code APIs and OpenAPI specifications
- ✗ No revenue — during the entire build phase
Estimated cost: €200–400k+ in salaries alone, excluding opportunity cost and time‑to‑market.
The Value of Acquiring
- ✓ Immediate capabilities — add Design-First to your portfolio today
- ✓ Proven stability — 90%+ test coverage, validated on enterprise codebases
- ✓ Clean IP — single author, MIT/Apache/BSD dependencies, ready for full transfer
- ✓ Knowledge transfer — structured onboarding with the original engineer included
- ✓ Multi-language — 5 languages, enterprise configuration, remote IBM i support
Fraction of build cost. Accelerate your roadmap by years, not months.
Transfer-Ready IP
Engineered for clean acquisition — no surprises during due diligence.
Clean Licensing
All dependencies verified: MIT, Apache 2.0, BSD, ISC. No GPL or AGPL contamination detected. Full dependency audit available.
Comprehensive Testing
90%+ test coverage across core modules. Automated suites for parsing, generation, validation, and round-trip fidelity scenarios.
Full Documentation
Architecture guides, configuration references, and developer onboarding materials. Designed for team handover, not single-developer dependency.
Transition Support
Structured knowledge transfer plan included. The original author is available for technical onboarding to ensure smooth integration with your engineering team.
Strategic Fit
Designed to complement existing modernization platforms.
For Modernization Vendors
Add automated RPG-to-API capabilities to your existing suite. Differentiate your offering with bidirectional OpenAPI support that your competitors lack.
For Portfolio Companies
A focused capability add-on with immediate technical value. Minimal integration risk, clear IP boundaries, and a defined transition path.
For IBM i Ecosystem Players
Strengthen your tooling portfolio with a mature asset that addresses the growing API modernization demand — without diverting internal R&D resources.
Explore This Opportunity
Due diligence package available under NDA.
Start a Conversation
A 20-minute introductory call is usually enough to assess strategic fit before moving to technical evaluation.
What to Expect
- Confidential executive summary
- Technical architecture walkthrough
- Live demonstration on real RPG sources
- IP and licensing documentation
- Transition and integration planning