Common Business Oriented Language

(co-ball)

A computer language specifically designed for business use. The language came into being in 1960 in order to process large amounts of business data using relatively simple command structures. COBOL programs continue to run today and many had to be repaired before 1 January 2000 in order to take into account the Y2K problem. (Also see CODASYL.)

More Information

• Web-enabled COBOL
• COBOL History Article
• COBOL Programming (tutorials, lectures, exercises and examples)
• COBOL Discussion