COBOL

COBOL, short for Common Business-Oriented Language, is a high-level programming language designed for business data processing. Initiated in 1959 by a U.S. government–industry task force and standardized by CODASYL, COBOL aimed to be readable by managers and developers alike. Grace Murray Hopper played a key role in promoting and influencing the language’s design, which emphasized clear syntax and portability across computer systems.

Program structure and syntax: COBOL programs are organized into divisions such as IDENTIFICATION DIVISION, ENVIRONMENT DIVISION, DATA DIVISION, and PROCEDURE DIVISION. The language is known for its English-like, verbose syntax and emphasis on readability. Data are described using PIC clauses that specify formats and lengths; numeric data typically use fixed-point arithmetic. COBOL supports file-oriented I/O, with sequential and indexed files, report generation, and business-oriented operations.

Standardization and evolution: The first formal COBOL standard appeared in 1960 (with subsequent revisions in 1968, 1974, 1985, and later). Modern editions, notably the COBOL 2002 and COBOL 2014 standards, added features such as object-oriented programming, enhanced interoperability, and modern language constructs while preserving existing code. Modern compilers are produced by vendors including IBM, Micro Focus, Fujitsu, and others, and COBOL runs on mainframes as well as various server and desktop platforms.

Usage and legacy: Despite its age, COBOL remains in active use in many financial, governmental, and administrative systems worldwide, where its reliability and business data handling capabilities are highly valued. Organizations frequently maintain COBOL applications directly or modernize them through integration, rehosting, or selective conversion rather than full replacement.