What is the Full Form of COBOL ?

COBOL - COmmon Business Oriented Language

COmmon Business Oriented Language was the first high-level programming language that was widely-used for business, finance, and administrative applications. The language was closely related to English, which makes it easy to learn for new comers. COBOL 2002 has Object oriented features and other modern language features.

COBOL was designed primarily designed by Grace Hopper in the late 50's. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) produced several revisions of the COBOL language, including: COBOL-68, COBOL-74, COBOL-85 and COBOL 2002. Although the language has been updated over the years, it is now being considered outdated.

COmmon Business Oriented Language -Common Business Oriented Language (COBOL) stands as a foundational pillar in the international of commercial enterprise computing, with a rich records spanning over six many years. As one of the oldest high-stage programming languages, COBOL maintains to play a significant position in powering important business structures and applications across industries. This comprehensive manual aims to provide an in-depth exploration of COBOL, masking its origins, capabilities, syntax, programs, evolution, and enduring relevance in the virtual age.

COBOL strains its origins again to the overdue Nineteen Fifties while a consortium of laptop industry stakeholders, led by Grace Hopper, developed the language with the goal of creating a standardized programming language for commercial enterprise information processing. The first COBOL specification changed into completed in 1960, paving the manner for extensive adoption in commercial, authorities, and academic sectors.Over the years, COBOL has undergone several revisions and improvements to keep tempo with evolving computing paradigms and commercial enterprise requirements. Despite the emergence of more moderen programming languages and technology, COBOL stays deeply entrenched in legacy systems, powering important programs in banking, finance, coverage, healthcare, and other industries.

COBOL is characterized via its English-like syntax, clarity, and emphasis on data processing for enterprise packages. Some key features of COBOL include:

Self-Documenting Code: COBOL programs are designed to be self-documenting, with descriptive keywords, records definitions, and based layout that facilitate readability and information by using both programmers and non-programmers.

Record-Level Processing: COBOL supports file-level processing, permitting programmers to define and manage facts records stored in documents or databases the use of sequential, listed, or random get admission to methods.

Data Division: COBOL programs are established into divisions, sections, paragraphs, and sentences, with the Data Division gambling a valuable function in defining records systems, facts, fields, and facts relationships.

Procedure Division: The Procedure Division carries the executable code of COBOL applications, comprising statements, conditions, loops, and strategies that perform facts processing, calculations, and good judgment operations.

Despite the demanding situations, COBOL remains a resilient and enduring technology, with a huge mounted base of assignment-critical applications and systems international. Looking in advance, the destiny of COBOL is shaped by using ongoing efforts to modernize legacy structures, bridge the competencies gap, and adapt to evolving business desires and technological traits.As corporations continue to depend upon COBOL for core enterprise operations and records processing, the function of COBOL within the virtual surroundings remains essential, offering balance, reliability, and continuity in a hastily changing technological panorama.

Common Business Oriented Language (COBOL) stands as a testament to the enduring legacy and adaptability of programming languages in enterprise computing. With its English-like syntax, information processing capabilities, and full-size adoption throughout industries, COBOL continues to play a pivotal role in powering critical enterprise programs and structures. By embracing modernization techniques, fostering expertise improvement, and leveraging partnerships, organizations can liberate the overall capability of COBOL and ensure its persisted relevance inside the digital age.