The Edge Portfolio Analyzer (EPA) was first introduced in response to the growing need to understand mainframe application portfolios prior to Y2K.   It became recognized that the only definitive source of information resided in a site’s executable libraries. With the acquisition of the Edge Information Group by Oh7FoxEasy, the product has since been renamed to the Executable Portfolio Analyzer (EPA2).

Whether faced with a language update such as LE or COBOL v6, any modernization project or a major application update, defining the scope of the project starts by knowing what makes up the executables running in production today.

The Executable Portfolio Analyzer is a proprietary utility that analyzes executable load modules in existing production libraries. EPA2 generates both text reports and data files that can used as input to EPA External Analyzers, additional routines supplied with the EPA2, or other PC or mainframe development tools, such as change-management and production-control software, for further analysis, reporting, or management. EPA2 looks at load modules rather than source modules because the executable instructions in load modules contain essential information that is not available from any other source:

"The truth only exists in the code that goes into production every night."

Designed as a knowledge- and experience-based "power tool," the Executable Portfolio Analyzer eliminates the need to understand the obscure and arcane contents of load modules. The Analyzer automatically processes production load modules, examines their object code, and extracts information — such as names, dates and sizes, languages, compilers and release levels, compiler and linkage editor options, system date invocations, subsystems used, and much more — that is critical to problem resolution or avoidance. Without the Executable Portfolio Analyzer, most of this vital information buried within load modules is not available without tedious and time consuming manual analysis. With the EPA2, you can do large-scale analysis of load module libraries in minutes rather than the hours, days, or even months often required when using only basic system utilities and manual analysis.

EPA2 presents extracted data in both easy-to-use printed reports and machine-readable data files. The data files are fully-documented flat files that can be used as input to many host- and workstation-based management tools commonly found in development departments. The format of the data files easily interfaces with other software. EPA2 External Analyzers provide cross-module analyses and form the basis of user-written customized analyses.

Much can be said about Rex's seemingly limitless knowledge of the system, his tireless energy, and his helpfulness to those willing to listen and learn. He was widely respected within the technical community, IBM User Groups, and his home town of Kansas City.

Rex's spirit still permeates Edge and the Portfolio Analyzer. He is and will be missed by all of us who worked with him.

Mr. M. Carl Gehr, Jr

Carl was the Lead Developer and Principal Consultant for Edge Information Group. He was a specialist in language and application development technologies. Carl had over 45 years experience in Information Systems, including 32 years as an IBM Systems Engineer.

During that time he was actively involved in the IBM technical user groups SHARE and GUIDE.   While at IBM, he was the IBM Liaison to the GUIDE languages projects and worked very closely with the IBM development organizations on product strategies. He participated in the GUIDE/SHARE Languages Futures Task Force from 1979-84. This group defined most of the basic requirements that led to the Language Environment as well as the earlier SAA and AD/Cycle language products.

Ms. Marilyn Frankel