The Essence of COBOL Programming

Welcome to “The Essence of COBOL Programming” Course!

Your first step into the world of enterprise programming.

Whether you’re brand-new to programming or expanding your technical skills, this course will guide you step-by-step into understanding and writing COBOL, one of the most reliable and widely used languages in banking, finance, and government systems today.

COBOL is known for its clarity, its long-term stability, and its role powering critical systems across the world. By the end of this course, you’ll not only understand COBOL, you’ll be able to write, compile, test, debug, and run your own programs with confidence.

What You Will Learn

In this course, you will master:

• The structure and anatomy of a COBOL program
• Variables, data types, and PIC clauses
• Working with files, records, and data operations
• Compiling, running, and debugging using GnuCOBOL
• Best practices for testing and structuring COBOL applications
• Real-world programming patterns and mini-projects

Each topic is explained in a friendly, step-by-step manner with practical exercises.

How the Course Works

This course is designed to be:

• Beginner-friendly: No prior coding experience required.
• Hands-on: You will write actual COBOL programs from Day 1.
• Guided and Structured: Each module builds on the previous one, so you always know exactly what to do next.
• Practical: Examples reflect the kinds of programs still found in enterprise systems.

What You Need Before You Start

To get the most out of this course, make sure you have:

• Basic computer skills
• A willingness to learn the Terminal/Command Prompt
• GnuCOBOL installed (we’ll show you how!)
• A text editor (VS Code recommended)
• Curiosity and patience — COBOL rewards both

Course Structure

Here’s a quick overview of what’s ahead:

• Module 1: Introduction to COBOL Programming
• Module 2: How to Compile, Test, and Debug a COBOL Program
• Module 3: Report Programs and Output Handling
• Module 4: How to Design, Code, and Test a Structured COBOL Program
• Module 5: Using COBOL Features for Structured Coding
• Module 6: Other Ways to Define, Move, and Initialize Fields
• Module 7: Working With Files and Records in COBOL
• Module 8: Introduction to JCL for COBOL Beginners
• Module 9: Subprograms & Modularization
• Module 10: Real-World COBOL Projects

Each lesson includes explanations, examples, challenges, and quizzes.

What You Should Do First

• Read the COBOL Environment Basics
• Install GnuCOBOL
• Set up your project folder
• Say hello in the course community or comment section
• Start with Module 1: Terminal Basics

Our Commitment to You

We want you to succeed. By the end of this course, you will:

• Understand COBOL fundamentals
• Build working programs on your own
• Be comfortable debugging and testing
• Gain confidence in reading and writing enterprise-style COBOL code

You’re not just learning a language, you’re learning a skill that powers the world’s largest industries.

Ready? Let’s Begin!