COBOL
COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) is a high-level programming language designed for business, administrative, and data processing applications. It emphasizes readability with its English-like syntax and robust file-handling capabilities. Despite its age, COBOL remains the backbone of…
Key facts
- First appeared
- 1959
- Category
- technology
- Problem solved
- COBOL was created to address the critical need for a common, machine-independent language capable of handling complex data processing for business applications. Prior to COBOL, businesses relied on assembly languages or specialized, incompatible compilers like FLOW-MATIC, making program development slow, error-prone, and non-portable across different computer hardware.
- Platforms
- IBM mainframes (z/OS, MVS, DOS/VSE), OpenVMS, Microsoft Windows, UNIX-like systems (Linux, AIX, HP-UX, Solaris), AS/400 (IBM i)
Related technologies
Notable users
- Healthcare organizations
- Banks and financial institutions (e.g., Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase)
- Retail chains
- Airlines and transportation companies
- Government agencies (e.g., Social Security Administration, various state unemployment systems)
- Insurance companies (e.g., MetLife, Prudential)