1. A computer implemented method for translating a program on a source application system in a first representation with a first high level language and a first data structure to a second representation with a second high level language and second data structure on a target application system, comprising the steps of: generating a cross reference between a first set of data items from said source application system and a second set of data items from said target application system; and translating said program in said first representation with a first high level language and a first data structure on said source application system to said second representation with a second high level language and a second data structure on said target application system in accordance with said cross reference.