Using Apache Kafka for Modernizing OpenEdge Applications

There are a lot of legacy OpenEdge applications. Modernizing them using “big bang” approach might take a while and the result most likely will not be acceptable for current business. However, using Apache Kafka as an alternative can be a good solution. With Kafka, it’s possible to combine the old functionality of an application with its old database while developing a new application. Eventually, the old database can be completely removed due to Kafka’s loosely coupled nature. This means that the modernization process can be done in small increments, resulting in a more reliable and acceptable product for the business. During this presentation, we will share our experience of using Kafka data streams to simulate the modernization process of an older OpenEdge application, which we want to update into a web-based application.