12 Compelling Reasons Why Your Business Needs Cobol Programmers
Cobol programmers, a breed that some may have assumed extinct, are in fact teeming with relevance in our modern business landscape. To fully grasp this, we must delve into the complexities of business systems, the dialectic of old and new technology, and the economic implications of maintaining versus overhauling these systems.
Originally created in 1959, COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) was predicated on the readability of code, which facilitated communication between business and IT professionals. Its accessible syntax was a radical departure from other programming languages of the time. Fast forward to our current day, and COBOL has lived to see over six decades of use, a testimony to its robustness and resilience. Here are twelve cogent arguments elucidating why your business requires the expertise of a Cobol programmer.
- Legacy Systems : Many companies still operate on mainframe systems dating back to the 1970s, many of which are in COBOL. These systems have proved incredibly resilient and reliable, surviving numerous IT revolutions. They house critical business logic and data which are not easily replaceable.
- Economic Efficiency : The cost of replacing legacy systems is often prohibitive. It is not just the financial expense of software and hardware, but also the intangible cost such as risk, downtime, and the potential for data loss or corruption.
- Unraveling the 'Spaghetti Code' : As a result of years of patching and modifying, some COBOL code has become what tech insiders call 'spaghetti code,' intricate and difficult to untangle. It requires seasoned COBOL programmers to interpret and manage this labyrinthine code.
- Shortage of Cobol Programmers : With the increasing focus on new languages in computer science curricula, fewer graduates are familiar with COBOL. This has created a shortage of COBOL programmers, increasing their value in the market.
- Cobol's Resilience : The Y2K crisis was a testament to the resilience of COBOL. While many feared catastrophic failures, COBOL systems navigated the transition with relative ease, largely thanks to dedicated COBOL programmers.
- Banking Sector Dependence : 95% of ATM transactions are still processed in COBOL. This is a clear indication of the critical role COBOL plays in the financial sector.
- Government Systems : Many government agencies worldwide still rely on COBOL for their primary processes. For instance, the IRS in America uses COBOL for processing tax returns, demonstrating its reliability for important tasks.
- High Transaction Volume : COBOL excels at processing high volumes of transactions quickly and efficiently - a key requirement for businesses like banks and airlines.
- COBOL's Readability : Its English-like syntax makes it easier for non-programmers to understand, promoting synergy between technical and business teams.
- Long-Term Vision : There is no imminent 'end of life' for COBOL. It will continue to be used and maintained for decades, given the scale and cost of replacing the systems using it.
- Security : COBOL has proven to be a robust and safe language over the years. Its matured security measures can withstand various cyber threats, making it a reliable choice.
- Maintenance rather than Replacement : Keeping COBOL systems operational is often more practical than full-scale replacement. As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
As we've traversed this journey through the historical, economic, and operational facets of COBOL, one thing is clear: the relevance of COBOL is not waning. It continues to play a pivotal role in our technological infrastructure, testament to its robustness and longevity.
In the final analysis, while new languages and paradigms will continue to emerge, the role and relevance of COBOL and its programmers should not be underestimated. Far from being an antiquated relic, COBOL and its custodians continue to serve as the backbone of our digital economy. The more we appreciate their contributions, the better equipped we'll be to navigate the evolving landscape of technology and business.
Here are twelve cogent arguments elucidating why your business requires the expertise of a Cobol programmer.
