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Erik Herman
COBOL is a programming language that serves a wide range of businesses. Key aspects of COBOL are that it is scalable, mature, and self-documenting.
In the Basics course you will learn about COBOL from its birth and through its evolution. You will have some basic lessons on handling numbers, symbols, editing, procedures, and the overall program structure. You'll even have the opportunity to create code of your own.
Buckle up and join us on a ride through the world of COBOL, we can't wait to see you in class.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/nzoyf3/ibm
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What's inside
Syllabus
Introduction to COBOL
Welcome to your first module in IBM COBOL Basics! This module will take the beginning steps in learning and using COBOL. As we navigate through, you will learn about the birth of COBOL, the purpose of COBOL, and who uses COBOL. We will then move to learning about the divisions of COBOL, its structure, and the purpose of the compiler.
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Syllabus
Introduction to COBOL
Welcome to your first module in IBM COBOL Basics! This module will take the beginning steps in learning and using COBOL. As we navigate through, you will learn about the birth of COBOL, the purpose of COBOL, and who uses COBOL. We will then move to learning about the divisions of COBOL, its structure, and the purpose of the compiler.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores COBOL, which is standard in the business industry
Develops core skills in COBOL for businesses
Taught by certified COBOL instructors
Provides multiple modes of media such as videos, readings, discussions, and coding exercises
Lays a strong foundation for beginners in COBOL
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Reviews summary
Ibm cobol basics: foundational introduction
According to learners, IBM COBOL Basics offers a solid foundational introduction to this crucial programming language. Students consistently praise it as excellent for true beginners, noting its clear explanations and a pace that makes complex concepts easy to follow. The course is highly valued for its practical hands-on coding opportunities and structured modules, which are particularly beneficial for professionals looking to quickly grasp COBOL for mainframe development or legacy systems. However, some learners with prior programming experience found parts of the course too simplistic or the presentation style somewhat dated, suggesting it's best suited for those starting from scratch rather than intermediate programmers seeking advanced topics.
Perfect for those with no prior COBOL exposure.
"As someone who's been working with legacy systems for years but never directly with COBOL, this course was a great introduction."
"This course is a lifesaver! I needed to quickly get up to speed on COBOL for a new project at work, and this delivered."
"Good course for beginners, it does what it says on the tin. I was a bit concerned about learning COBOL, but this course made it accessible."
Practical coding examples solidify understanding.
"The exercises really solidified my understanding. Highly recommend for anyone looking to get started..."
"The hands-on examples were helpful to grasp the syntax. I feel much more confident now when looking at older codebases."
"I particularly liked the hands-on coding opportunities which are crucial for learning COBOL."
Lays a strong foundation for new COBOL learners.
"Excellent course for true beginners in COBOL! I had absolutely no prior experience and the instructor made it incredibly easy to follow."
"Absolutely essential for anyone stepping into the world of mainframe development. The course doesn't assume any prior COBOL knowledge..."
"I found this course to be a solid foundational introduction to COBOL... It's definitely for someone starting from scratch..."
Could benefit from more debugging or real-world projects.
"My only minor gripe is that it could use more advanced debugging techniques."
"It could benefit from more real-world project examples, but for a 'basics' course, it's pretty solid."
"Perhaps a little more emphasis on common errors or debugging would be useful, but overall, a strong start."
Some found it too slow or simplistic for their needs.
"I already had some programming background in other languages, and I was hoping for a bit more depth or more complex use cases."
"It felt like watching a very old training video at times... presentation sometimes felt a little slow and not always engaging."
"Found it to be a decent introduction, but it definitely feels aimed at absolute beginners with no prior programming knowledge..."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in IBM COBOL Basics with these
activities:
Read "COBOL Programming" by Gary DeWard Brown
Show steps
Gain a comprehensive understanding of COBOL by reading a foundational book.
View
zOS JCL (Job Control Language)
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Purchase or borrow a copy of "COBOL Programming".
-
Read the book thoroughly.
-
Complete the practice exercises provided in the book.
COBOL Coding Exercises
Show steps
Solidify your grasp of COBOL syntax and logic through repetitive coding exercises.
Show steps
-
Find online COBOL coding exercises or create your own
-
Attempt to solve the exercises independently
-
Check your solutions against provided answers or consult with a mentor/instructor
-
Identify areas for improvement and practice them further
COBOL Study Group
Show steps
Engage with fellow students to discuss COBOL concepts, share knowledge, and support each other's learning.
Show steps
-
Join or form a study group with classmates
-
Establish regular meeting times and set a study agenda
-
Take turns presenting on different COBOL topics
-
Work together to solve problems and clarify concepts
Show all three activities
Read "COBOL Programming" by Gary DeWard Brown
Show steps
Gain a comprehensive understanding of COBOL by reading a foundational book.
View
zOS JCL (Job Control Language)
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Purchase or borrow a copy of "COBOL Programming".
- Read the book thoroughly.
- Complete the practice exercises provided in the book.
COBOL Coding Exercises
Show steps
Solidify your grasp of COBOL syntax and logic through repetitive coding exercises.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find online COBOL coding exercises or create your own
- Attempt to solve the exercises independently
- Check your solutions against provided answers or consult with a mentor/instructor
- Identify areas for improvement and practice them further
COBOL Study Group
Show steps
Engage with fellow students to discuss COBOL concepts, share knowledge, and support each other's learning.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Join or form a study group with classmates
- Establish regular meeting times and set a study agenda
- Take turns presenting on different COBOL topics
- Work together to solve problems and clarify concepts
Show all three activities
Career center
Learners who complete IBM COBOL Basics will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Computer Programmer
Computer Programmer
Computer Programmers help build computer programs or applications. They maintain and update computer programs, write code to solve business or technical problems, and advise other engineers, scientists, and professionals on how to build programs.
Software Developer
Software Developer
Software Developers build computer programs or applications. They maintain and update computer programs, write code to solve business or technical problems, and advise other engineers, scientists, and professionals on how to build programs.
Systems Analyst
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts study how businesses or organizations work in order to design or improve their computer systems. They consult with management to learn about business needs, analyze operations, and make recommendations to improve efficiency.
Database Administrator
Database Administrator
Database Administrators are responsible for the implementation, maintenance, and security of database management systems. They work with database software and hardware to ensure that data is stored, organized, and accessed efficiently.
Web Developer
Web Developer
Web Developers design, build, and maintain websites and web applications. They work with programming languages, scripting languages, and markup languages to create websites that are both user-friendly and visually appealing.
Data Analyst
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to provide insights and help businesses make better decisions. They use data analysis techniques and tools to interpret data and present findings in a clear and concise way.
Business Analyst
Business Analyst
Business Analysts work with businesses to identify and solve problems. They analyze business processes, identify areas for improvement, and develop solutions to help businesses run more efficiently and effectively.
Project Manager
Project Manager
Project Managers plan, organize, and manage projects from start to finish. They work with stakeholders to define project scope, develop project plans, and track progress to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality.
Information Technology Manager
Information Technology Manager
Information Technology Managers plan, organize, and direct the activities of an organization's IT department. They develop IT strategies, manage IT budgets, and oversee the implementation and maintenance of IT systems.
Computer Systems Analyst
Computer Systems Analyst
Computer Systems Analysts design, develop, and implement computer systems. They work with users to determine system requirements, design system architecture, and develop software to meet those requirements.
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
Software Engineers design, develop, and maintain software products and applications. They work with programming languages, software tools, and development platforms to create software that meets the needs of users.
Data Scientist
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data analysis techniques and tools to extract insights and knowledge from data. They work with large datasets to identify patterns, trends, and relationships that can be used to improve decision-making and solve business problems.
IT Consultant
IT Consultant
IT Consultants provide advice and guidance to businesses on how to use technology to improve their operations and achieve their business goals. They work with clients to identify and solve IT problems, develop IT strategies, and implement IT solutions.
Database Developer
Database Developer
Database Developers design, create, and maintain databases. They work with database software, hardware, and programming languages to ensure that data is stored, organized, and accessed efficiently.
Technical Writer
Technical Writer
Technical Writers create technical documentation, such as user manuals, training guides, and help files. They work with subject matter experts to gather information, organize it into a logical and easy-to-understand format, and ensure it is accurate and complete.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/nzoyf3/ibm
Reading list
We've selected seven books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
IBM COBOL Basics.
Comprehensive reference guide to COBOL programming. It provides detailed information on all aspects of the language, including syntax, semantics, and pragmatics.
A practical guide to COBOL programming that is suitable for both beginners and experienced programmers.
Provides a concise and accessible overview of COBOL.
Practical guide to COBOL programming. It covers all the essential concepts of the language, including data types, control structures, and file I/O. It also includes a number of exercises and examples to help you practice your skills.
Follows after an introductory book on COBOL, introducing readers to advanced COBOL techniques such as working with databases, file handling, and program structuring.
Comprehensive reference to the COBOL language. It covers all the major features of the language, including data types, control structures, and file I/O. It also includes a number of appendices that provide additional information on COBOL.
This tutorial from IBM offers a quick introduction to the basics of COBOL. It's particularly helpful for learners who want a concise overview of the language and its key concepts.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/nzoyf3/ibm
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Effort
4 week, 2-5 hours per week
Level
Introductory
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IBM
Instructor
Erik Herman
Language
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This course belongs to a
collection
called
IBM Mainframe Developer. It's comprised of six courses:
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