Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for translating computer programs from a language having the attributes of computer programming language COBOL to a language having the attributes of the computer programming language Java. In particular, source language primitive functions are represented by archetypal templates having code that is selectable based upon the applicable case. In one implementation, the source language is translated to target language code which is, in turn, compiled by a target language compiler, thereby providing a two-step source language compiler.