Cobol Programming Fundamental
COBOL Programming Fundamental is a practical introduction to one of the oldest and most reliable programming languages. This book covers everything from the basic structure of COBOL programs to handling sequential files. Whether you’re a student or a professional, you’ll find clear explanations and real-world examples that make learning COBOL straightforward.
Book Description
COBOL Programming Fundamental offers a hands-on approach to understanding COBOL, the Common Business Oriented Language that’s powered business applications for decades. Designed for beginners, this book demystifies the language’s unique structure and verbose style. You’ll find step-by-step guidance through divisions, sections, and paragraphsmaking even the quirks of COBOL feel approachable.
Book Overview
This guide walks you through COBOL’s foundational concepts. It starts with an introduction to the language’s design goals and its famous English-like syntax. You’ll learn about the four main divisions of every COBOL program: Identification, Environment, Data, and Procedure. The book also covers essential topics like file processing, arithmetic operations, conditions, and program design techniques.
Each chapter includes examples and exercises that reinforce your learning. The content is structured for easy referenceperfect for both self-study and classroom use. If you’ve ever wondered why COBOL is still relevant today, this book will show you how its reliability and clarity keep it in demand in industries like finance and government.
Why Read This Book
Let’s face it: COBOL might not be flashy, but it’s everywhere! Learning COBOL can open doors to legacy systems maintenance and high-paying roles in banking or insurance IT departments. This book makes the language accessibleeven if you’re new to programming. With clear explanations and practical tips, you’ll gain confidence fast.
Want a deeper dive into modern approaches? You might also enjoy Visual Cobol: A Developer’s Guide to Modern Cobol, which builds on these fundamentals with contemporary tools.
Who This Book Is For
This book is ideal for students, career changers, or anyone tasked with maintaining or upgrading business-critical systems. No prior experience with COBOLor even programmingis required. If you’re curious about how large-scale business applications tick or want to add a valuable skill to your resume, start here!
What You Will Learn
- The core structure of COBOL programs: divisions, sections, paragraphs, sentences, and statements
- How to use the IDENTIFICATION DIVISION for program metadata
- Defining data with DATA DIVISION (including file and working-storage sections)
- Writing algorithms in the PROCEDURE DIVISION
- Processing sequential files and handling basic input/output
- Implementing conditions, loops (PERFORM verb), and arithmetic operations
- Designing clear, maintainable business logic
- Troubleshooting common COBOL pitfalls
If you’re interested in more open-source approaches, check out the GNU Cobol Programmers Guide for further reading on modern COBOL development environments.
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