The State of Legacy Languages – Where They Stand in Today’s Market

The world of software development is constantly evolving, and legacy languages such as COBOL, Fortran, Perl, and C are becoming increasingly outmoded.  Legacy languages are those that have been around for many years and are no longer actively developed. Although these languages still offer some advantages, such as their relative simplicity, they are quickly becoming obsolete in favor of more modern programming languages.

While legacy languages are now rarely used, some organizations still rely on them to power their applications. Legacy languages are often used in legacy programs and systems, which can be difficult and expensive to replace.

Developers with skills in legacy languages are also highly sought-after, as legacy systems can pose significant software and data security risks. However, developers with the skills to maintain legacy languages are retiring or leaving the job market at a higher rate than new legacy language developers are entering it. 

Moreover, new developers are rarely trained in legacy languages, so these languages are largely out of favor with the younger generation. This has left many companies in a precarious situation, as legacy system maintenance is often necessary to ensure their long-term security.

In this article, we’ll look at some examples of legacy languages, what applications still rely on these legacy languages, and why new DevSecOp organizations must cater to these languages.

Some features of C that make it an attractive language for appsec include its flexibility, portability, and efficiency. Additionally, C is a powerful language with low-level access to memory and hardware, meaning developers have more control over the appsec process.

Despite its age, C remains the primary language for developing embedded systems and system software. It’s also used in appsec, making it invaluable for organizations that need to secure their systems and applications.

Its features include its ability to be used on various hardware platforms and its relatively simple syntax, making it easy for developers to read and understand. It is also highly reliable and secure, making it ideal for appsec.

COBOL is still widely used for mainframe computing, with many organizations using it to develop and maintain their legacy applications. Its advantages include its simplicity, readability, and support for database access.

COBOL’s features make it well suited for legacy programs and systems, although its reliance on lengthy codes has led to many of these applications becoming outdated. However, COBOL is still widely used in business applications such as banking, finance, and accounting, as it can provide organizations with a comprehensive set of security controls.

Due to its flexibility, Perl is often used as a glue language to join different components together. It is also used in appsec as it allows developers to quickly and easily develop secure applications.

Despite its age, Perl remains widely used in appsec due to its flexibility and ease of use. Its most common applications include system scripting, web development, and appsec. Furthermore, it is still widely utilized in legacy applications, such as banking and finance systems.

Advantages of Legacy Languages

Though developers and organizations may not use legacy languages as often anymore, they still have some distinct advantages.

• • • Ease of learning: Legacy languages are generally easier to learn than their modern counterparts. This means that fewer resources need to be dedicated to learning the languages, which can make them more cost-effective to use.
    • Low cost of development: Legacy languages can often be used to develop applications at a lower cost than modern languages, since many of the tools and libraries associated with them are freely available.
    • Specific uses: Where newer languages may not always be available or suitable, legacy languages can provide a solution. For instance, organizations can use legacy languages to develop specific applications, such as embedded systems.
    • Reduced risks of software security breaches: Legacy languages are not subject to the same risks as modern languages, since they have been around for a long time and have well-established security protocols.

Disadvantages of Legacy Languages

New DevSecOp organizations must be aware of risks associated with legacy languages and cater to them accordingly. Here are a few risks to consider:

• • • Outdated security features: Legacy languages may contain outdated or vulnerable security features, making them more susceptible to attack.
    • Lack of support: Legacy languages may lack up-to-date libraries and frameworks, making it more difficult to secure them.
    • Poor documentation: Poorly documented code may lead to risks such as security bugs and vulnerabilities.
    • Compatibility issues: Legacy languages may be incompatible with modern systems, making them more vulnerable to attack.

Legacy Languages’ Place in Today’s World

Due to the risks associated with legacy languages, DevSecOp organizations should consider the risks associated with legacy languages and ensure they use the security features provided by these languages. This will help protect their applications and systems from potential threats. Doing so will also minimize the risks associated with software breaches.

Organizations that still rely on legacy languages should heavily consider using Kiuwan’s SAST and SCA products, as these products  ensure legacy applications security. 

SAST will help organizations identify and fix security issues in their code, while  SCA will help them to identify any vulnerable third-party components used in the application. Kiuwan also offers a wide range of other products and services to protect applications, making it the best solution for organizations looking to secure their applications that rely on legacy languages.