What does the C stand for in the name of the programming language COBOL?

COBOL (an acronym for common business-oriented language) is a compiled English-like computer programming language designed for business use. It is imperative, procedural and, since 2002, object-oriented.

COBOL is primarily used in business, finance, and administrative systems for companies and governments. COBOL is still widely used in legacy applications deployed on mainframe computers, such as large-scale batch and transaction processing jobs.

But due to its declining popularity and the retirement of experienced COBOL programmers, programs are being migrated to new platforms, rewritten in modern languages or replaced with software packages. Most programming in COBOL is now purely to maintain existing applications.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

Test your knowledge

What are your thoughts on this subject?

16 Comments

Kevin Dale Streets

Now wait a minute! If COBOL stands for "Common Business-Oriented Language," and C stands for Common, shouldn't the O stand for something as well? Or shouldn't the question have asked, "What does the CO stand for..?"

Cynthia Wood

I was mainly a COBOL application programmer from mid 1965 until late 2014. Knew and used some other programming languages, but COBOL was the primary one used at the places I worked. Before I became a COBOL programmer, I "programmed" accounting and other machines by wiring the control boards to obtain the desired functions. Worked in the field called Data Processing, and later Information Technology, for about 52 years. There were some amazing changes I saw during that time!

JRW

This question brings back memories of my studies in the early 70s.

George Brungot

Kevin Dale Streets, These questions all seem be poorly worded. Maybe the writers just don't think.

Dionne Alexander

Kevin Dale Streets, ...I agree

Steve Tingle

one of those retired experts, my first successful program was in COBOL back in the 70s, so was my last in 2011 - in between I did use other languages. Think the last one I wrote could have been the last for the company I worked for, when I was retired there was only one other who could maintain the existing programs.

earlepg

During the years 1969-71 I took classes in several computer oriented classes including COBOL and FORmulaTRANslation. Couldn't tell much about them, or the others, now.