We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

COBOL Programming

Save
May 1, 2024 4 minute read

COBOL, short for COmmon Business-Oriented Language, is an imperative, procedural, general-purpose programming language primarily designed for business and financial data processing. Introduced in 1959, COBOL was one of the first programming languages to use English-like syntax. Its development was driven by the need for a uniform language that could be used across different hardware and operating systems. COBOL has since been widely adopted in various industries, particularly banking, finance, and insurance, due to its reliability, data handling capabilities, and adherence to industry standards.

What is COBOL Used For?

COBOL is primarily used for developing business applications that handle large volumes of data. Its features make it well-suited for applications that require:

  • Extensive data manipulation and validation
  • Complex calculations and reporting
  • Integration with legacy systems
  • Compliance with industry regulations

COBOL is particularly prevalent in core banking systems, financial reporting applications, insurance policy management systems, and other mission-critical business applications where data integrity and accuracy are paramount.

Why Learn COBOL?

Learning COBOL can be beneficial for several reasons:

Path to COBOL Programming

Share

Help others find this page about COBOL Programming: by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Reading list

We've selected four 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 COBOL Programming.
Comprehensive guide to COBOL programming and is suitable for both beginners and experienced programmers. It covers all the major features of the language, as well as providing tips and techniques for writing efficient and maintainable COBOL programs.
Complete guide to COBOL programming, covering everything from the basics to advanced topics such as object-oriented programming and web services. It good choice for those who want to learn COBOL in-depth.
Practical guide to COBOL programming. It covers the essentials of the language, as well as more advanced topics such as data structures and object-oriented programming.
Tutorial for COBOL programming. It covers the basics of the language, as well as more advanced topics such as data structures and object-oriented programming.
Table of Contents
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser