COBOL Programming Language: Features, Applications, and Example

COBOL programming language may seem old, but it’s still used a lot, especially in banking and finance. The problem is, that many COBOL developers are retiring, and fewer young people are learning it. This means there aren’t enough experts to fix problems when they come up. In addition, Windows, Linux, etc, support COBOL operating systems.

COBOL is everywhere and it powers 95% of ATM transactions and 43% of banking systems. COBOL systems handle $3 trillion in transactions every day. That’s a lot! Over 800 billion lines of COBOL code are still running daily. Why is COBOL still important? Even though it’s old, COBOL is very reliable. It helps keep important systems running, especially in banking, where every transaction matters. Even as technology changes, COBOL still makes sure everything works smoothly.

Overview of COBOL Programming Language

COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) might seem old, but it’s still widely used, especially in banking and business. In addition, it was designed to be easy to read and understand, even for people who aren’t programmers. It’s great for handling tasks like processing transactions and managing data. Many crucial systems still use COBOL, especially on mainframe computers.

COBOL was created in 1959 by a group called CODASYL, with help from another language called FLOW-MATIC, designed by Grace Hopper. The U.S. Department of Defense needed a language that worked on different computer systems, so COBOL was created. It became popular fast and was used by many computer manufacturers.

COBOL computer language has been updated over time. It was standardized in 1968 and has added features for modern programming language. The latest version is ISO/IEC 1989:2023. One reason COBOL is still used is because it’s easy to understand. For example, commands like "MOVE x TO y" are simple enough for non-programmers, like managers, to read. However, COBOL is more wordy than other languages, using over 300 reserved words, while newer languages are often simpler.

COBOL programming language programs are organized into four sections: Identification, Environment, Data, and Procedure. This structure makes the code easier to follow. COBOL includes 43 basic statements, 87 functions, and one class, making it simpler than other languages.

Why is COBOL Still Important?

Even though COBOL is old, it’s still important today. Many banking and financial systems were originally built using COBOL for beginners. These systems are so crucial that businesses keep them running and update them instead of replacing them.

For example, as late as 2006, many large financial companies were still building new COBOL systems. Some companies are now switching to newer platforms or rewriting programs in modern languages, but COBOL is still used. It powers many financial transactions worldwide every day.

• Easy to Learn: COBOL computer programming is simple to learn and use. It has a clear, standard format that works on different computers. Developers like how easy it is to read and update COBOL code. As a result, this makes it a good choice for both beginners and experienced programmers.

• Business Oriented: The main purpose of it is to handle large amounts of data, which is why it’s great for industries like banking and insurance. COBOL processes more than 70% of global business transactions. Whether making reports or handling complex financial tasks, COBOL can effortlessly do its task.

• Adapts to Change: Even though COBOL has been around for over 60 years, it’s still useful today. It works across many platforms, from old systems to modern ones. New tools and updates help keep COBOL efficient and up-to-date.

• Easy to Read and Scale: COBOL language designs in easy to read, which makes it simple to fix or update when needed. It’s also scalable, meaning it can grow with your business as tasks get more complex. Plus, it works across different platforms, so it won’t become outdated.

In short, COBOL’s simplicity, business focus, flexibility, and easy-to-read structure make it a valuable tool. Even after many years, it continues to help businesses run smoothly.

COBOL Application

Businesses and governments use COBOL programming language. Even though it's over 50 years old, it’s still important today. COBOL handles more than 70% of global business transactions. It runs on large computers that manage a lot of data.

COBOL is great for big tasks. It uses two main types of processing: Batch Processing and Online Transaction Processing (OLTP).

• Batch Processing: COBOL works with large amounts of data at once. It reads, changes, and writes data in bulk.

• OLTP: COBOL runs tasks at the same time, making things faster, especially for complex jobs.

In short, COBOL is still powerful. It helps businesses manage large amounts of data and transactions, which is why it’s still important today.

COBOL Example

Here, we are showing you a common example of a COBOL programming language.

IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.

PROGRAM-ID. HELLO-WORLD.

PROCEDURE DIVISION.

DISPLAY 'Hello world!'

STOP RUN.

Conclusion

COBOL programming language is great at managing large amounts of data and complex tasks, making it essential for key systems. COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) is one of the oldest high-level programming languages, specifically designed for business data processing. Known for its simplicity, readability, and strong data handling capabilities, COBOL is widely used in legacy systems, particularly in the banking, insurance, and government sectors. Its structured syntax allows easy maintenance of large-scale enterprise applications. Despite being decades old, COBOL still powers many mission-critical systems today.

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