"Why do Tech Industry & Programmers still love COBOL?"
COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language), which was first released in 1959, is still in use today. Due to its reputation for being a great option for business applications and its capacity for handling massive volumes of data, many programmers continue to favor COBOL despite the introduction of competing languages and technologies. It is commonly forgotten nowadays, but not because it no longer exists. As computers became more accessible, additional languages for different purposes gained popularity. Yet, COBOL didn't disappear; rather, it was just overshadowed by the other languages' and technologies' rapid development.
COBOL’S Various Updates-
The programming language used now is substantially different from the one punch cards were used to encode. Several of the new versions are modified to make it easier to deal with all of the other languages and protocols that are currently in use, even though a lot of the old structure and style still exist because backward compatibility is crucial. The changes have kept pace with the direction of computer science's mainstream, falling a little behind but only by a few years. For instance, IEEE 754 standards for arithmetic were added to COBOL in 2014, while object-oriented COBOL debuted in 2002. Many well-known platforms do a poor job of making sure that code runs for more than a few years. When Apple originally shifted to the x86 architecture in 2006, it included a PowerPC emulator known as Rosetta in its operating system, but subsequently removed it with MacOS version 10.7 in 2011.
The COBOL community is committed to preventing issues of this nature. Now, the code can simply run on computers and even cell phones. The cloud can be deployed more easily thanks to containerized versions.
The need for COBOL Programmers Is Increasing-
Many tech giants still use COBOL, a venerable programming language, to power their mainframe systems, which are home to crucial unemployment claims tools. Moreover many, for instance, were already updating COBOL when Covid interfered. The processing of the increasing number of unemployment claims on four-decade-old COBOL mainframe has also been acknowledged as being difficult.
For years, several parts of the program have not been updated or changed. Further requests for COBOL programmers to come in and quickly implement modifications have been made in response to the new specifications. Hence, if you're skilled with COBOL or interested in learning it, be prepared for an increase in demand for your services.
What are the pros and cons of utilizing this language, and why is it still widely used?
Pros of COBOL language:
1. Reliable and Scalable: The fact that COBOL is extremely dependable and adept at handling complex applications is one of its main advantages. This makes it a fantastic option for companies that need to swiftly process big amounts of data.
2. Legacy Systems: There are still many large enterprises with COBOL-written legacy systems. These systems require programmers who are familiar with the language to keep them operating smoothly after years of operation.
3. Easy to Read: Because COBOL's syntax is simple to read, it is simple for programmers to comprehend and write code in COBOL. It is a great option for folks who are new to programming because of its simplicity.
4. Interoperability: Moreover, COBOL is so extremely compatible, it may be used with a variety of other technologies and programming languages. For organizations that must deal with many systems, this makes it simple to integrate with other platforms.
Cons of COBOL Language:
1. Aging Workforce: There are considerably fewer programmers available to replace the many COBOL programmers who are approaching retirement age. Because of this, there is a shortage of COBOL programmers, which makes it challenging for companies to hire individuals to work on their systems.
2. Limited Advancements: The COBOL language is not rapidly changing. This may prevent developers from using the most recent technologies, which is a drawback.
3. Lack of Community: Younger developers do not frequently use the COBOL language. This indicates that there isn't much of a support system or network for the language.
Career Opportunities for COBOL Language Programmers-
Notwithstanding these drawbacks, programmers who are fluent in COBOL nevertheless have a wide range of employment options. For their legacy systems, many large firms still use COBOL, and they require programmers who are familiar with the language to keep them running.
A COBOL programmer might work in positions such as application development, maintenance, and support. For companies that are required to maintain and upgrade a large number of COBOL applications, these responsibilities are crucial.
Technology Using COBOL Language-
COBOL is still widely used by financial firms to manage their transactions. The phrase is also employed by government organizations, hospitals, and insurance firms. The usage of COBOL on the cloud is one of the most important recent breakthroughs in the language. The COBOL language's owner, Micro Focus, has developed a cloud-based COBOL compiler that makes it simpler for companies to use the language in the cloud.
Long-standing mainframe technology and the COBOL programming language have both been essential to the development of computing. Mainframes, which are powerful computers used for large-scale computing tasks, were once the mainstay of many large organizations, handling everything from payroll to inventory management.
Mainframe technology and COBOL programming are still widely utilized in many industries, despite the emergence of newer programming languages and the rising popularity of cloud computing. In actuality, a lot of businesses still use mainframe computers to run essential business processes.
In conclusion, COBOL continues to be a vital language for many enterprises despite its long history. It is a great option for businesses that need to process big amounts of data fast due to its stability and capacity for handling large-scale applications. Despite a decline in the number of COBOL programmers, those who are skilled in the language still have a wide range of employment options. The language is improving and will continue to be a vital business tool for years to come thanks to new technologies like the COBOL compiler in the cloud.