COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) is a high-level programming language that was developed in the early 1960s through a collaboration between several computer manufacturers and the U.S. Department of Defense. It is specifically designed for business data processing, such as payrolls and accounts payable records.
Key Features of COBOL
Business Data Processing
COBOL was created to meet the need for a language that could handle extensive business applications involving large volumes of data and complex calculations.
English-Like Syntax
The most notable feature of COBOL is its English-like syntax, which was intended to be readable and writable by non-programmers, such as managers and business analysts.
Scalability and Legacy Systems
Despite its age, COBOL is known for its robustness and ability to manage large-scale data processing in legacy systems, many of which are still in use today in critical applications such as banking, finance, insurance, and government operations.
Historical Context
Development
COBOL was developed by an ad-hoc committee known as the Conference on Data Systems Languages (CODASYL), which consisted of industry experts, academia, and government representatives. Its inception was driven by the need for a language that could unify the diverse computing practices of that era.
Adoption and Evolution
COBOL quickly became the standard language for business applications. Over the decades, it underwent several revisions to include new features, such as structured programming constructs and object-oriented capabilities.
Types of COBOL Implementations
COBOL-60
The original version of the language, which laid the foundational syntax and functionality.
COBOL-74 and COBOL-85
Significant updates designed to support structured programming, making the language more modular and manageable.
COBOL 2002 and Beyond
Introduced object-oriented programming concepts, XML processing, and other modern features to keep the language relevant in contemporary applications.
COBOL Code Example
Here is a simple COBOL program that reads employee records and prints payroll details:
1IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
2PROGRAM-ID. Payroll.
3DATA DIVISION.
4FILE SECTION.
5FD EmployeeFile
6 LABEL RECORDS ARE STANDARD
7 VALUE OF FILE-ID IS "employees.dat".
8
901 EmployeeRecord.
10 05 EmployeeID PIC X(5).
11 05 EmployeeName PIC X(30).
12 05 EmployeeSalary PIC 9(8)V99.
13
14WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
1501 WS-Employee PIC X(50).
16
17PROCEDURE DIVISION.
18 OPEN INPUT EmployeeFile.
19 PERFORM UNTIL EOF
20 READ EmployeeFile INTO WS-Employee
21 AT END
22 MOVE "YES" TO EOF
23 NOT AT END
24 DISPLAY WS-Employee
25 END-READ
26 END-PERFORM.
27 CLOSE EmployeeFile.
28 STOP RUN.
Applicability
COBOL is primarily used in sectors where large volumes of data are processed, notably:
- Banking and Finance: For transactional processes and batch jobs.
- Insurance: Managing policies and claims.
- Government: Handling large databases such as social security records.
Comparisons with Other Languages
COBOL vs. Python
While Python is a modern, general-purpose language known for its simplicity and flexibility, COBOL is specialized for business applications with a strong focus on data processing.
COBOL vs. FORTRAN
Both languages originate from the same era, but FORTRAN is geared towards numerical and scientific computing, while COBOL is focused on business data processing.
Related Terms
- Legacy Systems: Outdated computer systems that are still in use, many of which run COBOL applications.
- Mainframes: Powerful computers often used in enterprise environments to run COBOL applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is COBOL still in use today?
A: COBOL’s reliability and efficiency in handling large volumes of data make it indispensable for many legacy systems that perform critical operations, particularly in the financial and governmental sectors.
Q: Can COBOL be integrated with modern technologies?
A: Yes, modern implementations of COBOL have features that support integration with newer technologies like web services and XML.
References
- “COBOL Programming Guidelines” by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
- “The History of COBOL” by Jean E. Sammet.
- “COBOL for the 21st Century” by Nancy Stern and Robert A. Stern.
Summary
COBOL stands as a testament to the longevity and adaptability of programming languages. Developed in the early 1960s for business data processing, it remains crucial due to its ability to handle large-scale and critical applications in various sectors. Its English-like syntax made it approachable, and continual updates ensure its relevance in today’s technologically advanced environment.
