Cobol-Fundamentals

Hello World in COBOL

Every programming journey starts with Hello World. Let’s write our first COBOL program using modern free-format syntax with GnuCOBOL.

The Code

Create a file named hello.cob:

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Variables and Types in COBOL

COBOL’s approach to variables is unlike any modern language. Rather than declaring int x = 5 or name: str, COBOL uses PIC clauses (PICTURE clauses) that describe the physical format of each data …

Operators in COBOL

COBOL takes a unique approach to operators that reflects its business-documentation philosophy. Where most languages use compact symbols like +, -, *, and /, COBOL offers two parallel styles: verbose …

Control Flow in COBOL

Control flow determines the order in which a program’s statements execute - which branches it takes and how many times it repeats work. As an imperative, procedural language, COBOL gives you a …

Functions in COBOL

Most languages have a single construct called a “function.” COBOL, true to its procedural, business-oriented design, offers two distinct ways to package reusable logic, and neither is …

I/O Operations in COBOL

Input and output are where COBOL shows its true colors. The language was born in 1959 to process business records - reading files, transforming data, and writing reports - so its I/O model is one of …