# Federico Tomassetti Tools to solve complex problems This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles. ## The circle of competence for developers DevFeed: [The circle of competence for developers]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Federico Tomassetti Published: 2026-07-26T06:34:18Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Federico Tomassetti]() Topics: [Programming](), [Code](), [Artificial Intelligence](), [Large Language Model]() Tags: [ai](), [code](), [developers](), [llms](), [programming](), [reflections]() ### AI overview The article reflects on developers' future amid rapid changes in AI-assisted programming. It argues that a core developer competence is describing system behavior precisely, while noting that programming roles and practices differ widely. ### Source excerpt In the world of programming, we are asking ourselves questions about the future of the developer--or, more importantly, about whether developers have a future at all. What is going to happen to us? This makes me think of the "circle of competence" discussed in the book The Art of the Good Life. The author argues [...] The post The circle of competence for developers appeared first on Federico Tomassetti. ## RPG Metrics: A Free-Beta Code Quality Scanner for IBM i RPG DevFeed: [RPG Metrics: A Free-Beta Code Quality Scanner for IBM i RPG]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Federico Tomassetti Published: 2026-07-15T09:22:39Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Federico Tomassetti]() Topics: [Code quality](), [Software](), [ibm]() Tags: [code-processing](), [code-quality](), [free](), [maintainability](), [platform](), [rpg]() ### AI overview This commentary reviews RPG Metrics, a code quality scanner from KDP Software for IBM i RPG source. The tool measures metrics including cyclomatic complexity and maintainability, identifies problematic files and refactoring points, and is free while in beta. The article compares it with enterprise-oriented static-analysis products. ### Source excerpt KDP Software has worked the IBM midrange platform since 1985. Their new RPG Metrics tool measures cyclomatic complexity, maintainability, and RPG Free convertibility across your RPG source. It is free during beta, it took me minutes to get a number out of it, and when I had questions the founder answered them himself. The post RPG Metrics -- The IBM i Tool the Big Vendors Wouldn't Sell You appeared first on Federico Tomassetti. ## Using Gherkin to Document Behavioral Equivalence in RPG Migrations DevFeed: [Using Gherkin to Document Behavioral Equivalence in RPG Migrations]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Federico Tomassetti Published: 2026-07-14T06:24:03Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Federico Tomassetti]() Topics: [migration](), [Testing](), [Mainframe]() Tags: [legacy-modernization](), [mainframe](), [migration](), [rpg](), [specifications](), [testing]() ### AI overview The article argues that Gherkin can make RPG migration testing auditable to business stakeholders by expressing undocumented business rules in a readable form. It presents behavioral equivalence and stakeholder sign-off as more important migration outcomes than test coverage alone. ### Source excerpt Everyone benchmarks RPG migration test suites on coverage. That's the wrong metric -- the real deliverable is behavioral equivalence a non-programmer will sign off on, and Gherkin is the only format the people who actually know the rules can read. The post Why Gherkin Is the Right Testing Tool for RPG Migration -- And It Has Nothing to Do With BDD appeared first on Federico Tomassetti. ## AI RPG Migration Can Compile and Still Break Business Logic DevFeed: [AI RPG Migration Can Compile and Still Break Business Logic]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Federico Tomassetti Published: 2026-06-30T08:00:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Federico Tomassetti]() Topics: [migration](), [AI-assisted coding](), [Benchmark](), [Code]() Tags: [ai](), [benchmarks](), [business-logic](), [compilation](), [legacy-modernization](), [migration](), [rpg](), [tests]() ### AI overview The article argues that AI-assisted RPG migration tools should be evaluated on behavioral equivalence, not only compilation and generated test-pass rates. It cites the AgentModernize study, where the best reported result reached 19.4% behavioral equivalence, and describes gaps between extracting business rules and implementing them faithfully. ### Source excerpt AI-assisted RPG migration tools report high compilation success rates while silently failing on behavioral equivalence -- packed decimal truncation, activation group persistence, and cycle logic. The benchmarks show why, and what a real accuracy test looks like. The post AI RPG Migration Can Compile and Still Break Business Logic appeared first on Federico Tomassetti. ## What Is Software, and Will LLMs Replace It? DevFeed: [What Is Software, and Will LLMs Replace It?]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Federico Tomassetti Published: 2026-06-23T08:56:06Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Federico Tomassetti]() Topics: [Large Language Model](), [Software](), [data](), [integrity](), [Software as a service]() Tags: [ai](), [business](), [chatbots](), [consistency](), [data](), [future-of-ai](), [future-of-software](), [integrity](), [interfaces](), [language-engineering](), [llms](), [mcp](), [opinion](), [patterns](), [reflections](), [saas](), [software](), [software-development](), [sql](), [structure](), [visualization]() ### AI overview The article argues that large language models are unlikely to replace software. Instead, they may provide more flexible interfaces while software's underlying structures--organized data, schemas, constraints, consistency rules, visualizations, and guided processes--remain essential. ### Source excerpt Software isn't being replaced by LLMs, it's being fronted by them, with the deterministic core (schemas, constraints, processes) staying as essential as ever. The post What Is Software, and Will LLMs Replace It? appeared first on Federico Tomassetti. ## AI Coding Feels Like Using an Unreliable Compiler DevFeed: [AI Coding Feels Like Using an Unreliable Compiler]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Federico Tomassetti Published: 2026-05-19T13:17:09Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Federico Tomassetti]() Topics: [ai-coding](), [Large Language Model](), [Compiler](), [coding](), [Development]() Tags: [ai](), [ai-coding](), [compiler](), [language-engineering](), [llm](), [programming](), [reflections](), [software-development](), [time](), [verification]() ### AI overview The article argues that current LLMs used for coding resemble unreliable compilers: their transformation of developer intent into code is not sufficiently faithful, repeatable, or reliable to trust without verification. Developers must inspect, understand, test, and often correct generated code, shifting the bottleneck from writing code to reviewing it. ### Source excerpt AI Coding Feels Like Using an Unreliable Compiler Every developer I know is asking roughly the same questions about LLMs. Yes, there are LLM-fanatics and LLM-skeptics, but most are LLM-confused: sometimes LLMs seem amazing and sometimes they seem so dumb one wonders why we are using them in the first place. So we keep asking [...] The post AI Coding Feels Like Using an Unreliable Compiler appeared first on Federico Tomassetti. ## Joining forces to modernize legacy software DevFeed: [Joining forces to modernize legacy software]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Mary Louise Stewart Published: 2026-05-14T08:00:00Z Content type: release Language: en Sources: [Federico Tomassetti]() Topics: [Software](), [Reverse Engineering](), [Refactoring](), [Code generation](), [interoperability](), [AI-assisted coding]() Tags: [code-generation](), [interoperability](), [legacy-code](), [legacy-modernization](), [migration](), [model-driven-development](), [modernization](), [parsing](), [refactoring](), [reverse-engineering](), [software](), [transpilers]() ### AI overview Strumenta and Metadev announced a collaboration to modernize legacy software. Strumenta contributes code analysis, extraction, and transformation capabilities, while Metadev contributes modeling, AI integration, and code generation. Their approach uses LionWeb models as an intermediate representation between legacy code and modernized systems. ### Source excerpt Strumenta and Metadev Join Forces to Modernize Legacy Software A collaboration combining Strumenta's expertise in code analysis, extraction, and transformation with Metadev's capabilities in modeling, artificial intelligence, and code generation from models. Torino/Seville, May 14, 2026 -- Strumenta S.r.l. and Metadev S.L. have reached a collaboration agreement to offer a joint approach to Modernizing Legacy [...] The post Joining forces to modernize legacy software appeared first on Federico Tomassetti. ## 7 steps in a Legacy Modernization Project DevFeed: [7 steps in a Legacy Modernization Project]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Federico Tomassetti Published: 2026-02-25T06:55:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Federico Tomassetti]() Topics: [Agile](), [Code quality](), [Code](), [modules]() Tags: [automated](), [business-value](), [code-quality](), [legacy-modernization](), [modernization](), [modules](), [project](), [rpg](), [technical]() ### AI overview This tutorial outlines seven steps for modernizing an RPG-based ERP/MRP system: assess the legacy landscape, define a roadmap, secure buy-in and budget, build the right team and partnerships, execute iterative value-driven increments, manage change, and measure and adapt the modernization effort. ### Source excerpt Embarking on an RPG-based ERP/MRP system modernization is undeniably complex. But it's also highly rewarding when aligned with your business's long-term success. By addressing both the technical and strategic facets, you turn an aging system from a liability into a competitive asset. Let's outline the 7 steps in a legacy modernization project: Step 1: Assess [...] The post 7 steps in a Legacy Modernization Project appeared first on Federico Tomassetti. ## 7 Reasons Why CEOs Should Modernize their Software DevFeed: [7 Reasons Why CEOs Should Modernize their Software]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Aisling Foley Published: 2026-02-18T07:23:00Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Federico Tomassetti]() Topics: [Software](), [cobol](), [Visual Basic](), [SAS]() Tags: [cobol](), [financial-services](), [growth](), [integration](), [leadership](), [legacy](), [legacy-modernization](), [manufacturing](), [security](), [software]() ### AI overview This commentary argues that CEOs should modernize legacy software because systems that remain stable can still create strategic, regulatory, security, integration, and knowledge-retention risks. It discusses legacy systems used in manufacturing and financial services, including COBOL, RPG, Visual Basic 6, and SAS. ### Source excerpt Key Takeaways Legacy software is tolerated because, let's face it, it works, and works well. But that's no longer good enough. Nowadays, it limits an organisation's strategic options. Legacy software can slow down, or make strategic plans more expensive or complicated than they need to be. Whilst legacy software is considered stable, the real risk [...] The post 7 Reasons Why CEOs Should Modernize their Software appeared first on Federico Tomassetti. ## Case Study | Vertec | IT Industry | SQL Parser to translate code to English DevFeed: [Case Study | Vertec | IT Industry | SQL Parser to translate code to English]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Aisling Foley Published: 2026-01-05T17:15:48Z Content type: article Language: en Sources: [Federico Tomassetti]() Topics: [Parser](), [SQL](), [Code](), [Software]() Tags: [case-study](), [code](), [databases](), [interview](), [language-engineering](), [parsing](), [software](), [sql]() ### AI overview This case study describes how Strumenta developed and delivered two SQL parsers for Vertec, enabling the company to translate SQL snippets and database-related code into English as it expanded beyond German-speaking markets. The project also included support, improvements, and issue fixes. ### Source excerpt About Vertec Vertec a Swiss company founded in 1996, provides an integrated CRM and ERP solution for service providers. Their PSA (Professional Services Automation) software has over 1,200 customers across Europe enabling them to optimize business processes and boost daily productivity. Challenge Originally targeting German language companies in Switzerland and Germany, Vertec now operates in [...] The post Case Study | Vertec | IT Industry | SQL Parser to translate code to English appeared first on Federico Tomassetti.