Cobol is one of the earliest and best programming languages for beginners. However, a pro can still find the perfect programming companion with Cobol. The program is suitable for running pension plans, payroll, and operate banking systems.
What is COBOL?
COBOL, A programming language used to program mainframe computers and the first high-level programming language designed for business data processing. Most of the programs written in COBOL are still being run by corporations around the world today. It was developed by Jean E. Sammet at an IBM research center in 1959. The acronym stands for Common Business Oriented Language (Common business-Oriented Language).
COBOL is a line-oriented language. The structuring elements of COBOL programs are divisions, sections, paragraphs and sentences. Each sentence identifies one procedure or function step (it must end with a period). A paragraph consists of zero or more sentences contained within the same division. Sections contain multiple divisions. Divisions allow programs to be divided into groups of related statements and procedures.
The main difference between COBOL and other programming languages is that COBOL has no loops; instead, it uses a sequence of instructions to do what would be looped in another language.
The key features that distinguish it from other programming languages include:
(1) syntax that allows for very readable code and efficient compilation;
(2) core data types, such as BINARY_FLOAT and BINARY_DOUBLE;
(3) support for hierarchical file organization;
(4) support for compound data structures, with record-level access;
(5) extension facilities to define new data types and compilation units.
Tutorials and Courses
These courses will equip you with every Cobol skill you may require.
Mainframe: The Complete JCL Course from Beginner to Expert
The student will learn crucial concepts about Cobol in this course, including:
- Successfully clearing a job interview based on Cobol Programming
- Creating one’s own JCL and being in a position to execute it
- Developing a Cobol program and being able to execute it using JCL
- Understand the keyboard and how every parameter involved in programming is positioned
- Accessing a package of source codes that will help you work with almost 20 utilities
Mainframe: The Complete TSO/ISPF from Beginner to Expert
This is a simplified edition of the previous course and opens even more opportunities for one to learn Cobol. You should expect the following from this course:
- Learning TSO/ISPF commands that will reduce your work by 20% daily
- Perform all TSO/ISPF functions using a basic Cobol program
Learn Mainframe COBOL – Beginner to Expert
The course gives the learner a professional approach to programming through a step by step guide. Expect to learn the fundamental concepts needed for you to become a developer and to be able to carry out testing.
The Complete Mainframe Professional Course – 4 Courses in 1
This is the best course for you to learn Unix systems services, CICs, Covers Cobol, JCL, and VSAM. This course is also good for those who wish to know how to code Job Control Language programs.
Mainframe 5 Modules – TSO/ISPF, JCL, VSAM, SDSF, Z/OS-UNIX
Here, you get to learn COBOL’s 5 most important modules in just one course. You will be provided with a practical-based screen to learn every TSO/ISPF detail.
COBOL Terminologies
Abend – when a program fails to execute properly, it might cause an abend.
Arithmetic Expression – calculates different values based on the order of operations (i.e., multiplication and division before addition and subtraction).
Arithmetic Operation – is just what it sounds like: any mathematical operation that can be done with numbers in COBOL such as adding or subtracting two numbers together.
Called Program– when you call a program from another; also called a subprogram.
Calling Program – refers to which function calls for the called program.
Function – is used to perform some kind of calculation inside your code so you don’t have to keep repeating yourself over and over again about how many gallons are needed for this week’s supply run.
Routine – is a sequence of instructions to solve one problem.
Scope Terminator – tells the COBOL compiler where you want your program to stop running–in this case, we’ll use a period. This means it will end after that point in our code and not keep going on indefinitely into other parts of our programming language.
Variable – refers to any kind of information that can change during runtime (i.e., quantity or color).
