The training COBOL Programming is composed of 2 separate courses: in Part 1 the participant becomes familiar with the basic COBOL programming techniques, in Part 2 the more advanced topics are treated.

At the end of Part 1, the participant:

• knows the basic COBOL syntax;
• is able to develop, debug and execute COBOL programs.

This course is also available as a combined course (Parts 1 and 2), see COBOL programming: fundamentals course.

• Basic structure of a COBOL program:
  • 4 divisions • sections, paragraphs and sentences.
  • compile • link-edit • execution.
• Variables, computing and data editing:
  • detailed discussion on the declaration of variables.
  • special instructions on calculations.
  • data editing.
• Conditional programming:
  • statements that might influence the flow of the program.
  • PERFORM • IF ... ELSE • EVALUATE.
• Treatment of files:
  • use of files in COBOL (input / output) • error handling.

Classroom instruction. 70% of the time is spent on programming exercises.

Delivered as a live, interactive training – available in-person or online, or in a hybrid format. Training can be implemented in English, Dutch, or French.

Some familiarity with an ISPF environment is desirable but not essential, cf ISPF/PDF basics.

Programmers who are going to write simple programs in COBOL. For a more detailed knowledge of all the possibilities of the COBOL language (advanced file processing, COBOL tables, working with submodules, ...), we refer to Part 2 of this training (COBOL programming - part 2).