COBOL

File:COBOL Report Apr60.djvu

IBM keypunch deck for Cobol student program at New York University 1979

COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) is a high-level programming language designed for business applications. It was created in 1959 by a committee called the CODASYL (Conference on Data Systems Languages), which was a consortium of industry and government representatives. COBOL is one of the oldest programming languages and was designed to improve the readability and portability of computer programs. It is primarily used in business, finance, and administrative systems for companies and governments.

History

The development of COBOL began in 1959 with the aim of creating a universal programming language that could be used on any computer. This was a significant departure from the era's norm, where each manufacturer had its own specific language. The CODASYL Committee released the first version of COBOL in 1960. The language was based on previous work by Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist, who had developed an earlier language called FLOW-MATIC.

Over the years, COBOL has been updated several times to add new features and capabilities. The most significant updates were COBOL-74, COBOL-85, and COBOL 2002, each of which introduced major enhancements to the language. Despite predictions of its decline, COBOL remains widely used today, particularly in legacy applications in the financial and public sectors.

Features

COBOL is known for its simplicity, readability, and robustness. Its syntax is designed to be self-documenting and readable by non-programmers. This makes it an ideal language for business applications, where programs often need to be understood and maintained by users who are not computer experts.

Some of the key features of COBOL include:

• Strong support for file handling and data processing.
• The ability to handle large volumes of data.
• Support for structured programming.
• Facilities for handling databases and transaction processing.

Usage

Despite the advent of more modern programming languages, COBOL remains in extensive use. It is estimated that there are hundreds of billions of lines of COBOL code still in use today. Many financial institutions, insurance companies, and government agencies rely on COBOL for their critical systems. This includes systems for payroll processing, customer account management, and transaction processing.

Challenges and Modernization

One of the main challenges facing COBOL is the aging workforce skilled in its use. As many COBOL programmers retire, there is a growing concern about the shortage of new programmers who are familiar with the language. This has led to various initiatives aimed at training new COBOL programmers and modernizing COBOL applications. Modernization can involve integrating COBOL systems with newer technologies or migrating COBOL applications to more contemporary programming languages.

Conclusion

COBOL has played a significant role in the development of the IT industry, particularly in the business and finance sectors. Despite its age, it continues to be a critical component of many enterprise systems. The ongoing need for COBOL programmers and the efforts to modernize COBOL applications underscore the language's enduring relevance.

COBOL Resources
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