8 Essential Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Cobol Programmer

In the pursuit of the ideal Cobol programmer to hire for your team, the task can often be daunting, more so without a roadmap to guide you on that journey. To alleviate this challenge, this article provides eight cardinal questions to ask when interviewing prospective Cobol programmers. These queries are not just designed to assess technical acumen but to also provide a comprehensive insight into the candidate’s mindset, approach to problem-solving, and the potential to fit and thrive in your team’s existing dynamics.

• Can you describe your experience with Cobol programming?

  As straightforward as it may seem, this question is the cornerstone upon which you can build further understanding of the candidate’s technical abilities. It’s important to not only assess the programmer’s understanding of the history and evolution of Cobol but also to gauge the depth and breadth of their practical experience. Be attentive to references to endeavors that required the application of advanced Cobol constructs, debugging of complex Cobol programs, or working in hybrid environments with other languages like Java or Python.

• Could you elucidate on Cobol's relevance in the contemporary digital landscape?

  This query targets the candidate’s understanding of the current state and future prospects of Cobol. Despite being several decades old, Cobol still powers significant portions of the global infrastructure, particularly in the financial and insurance sectors. A well-versed candidate should be able to articulate this, in addition to discussing modernization efforts like containerization or interoperability with modern languages.

• What does structured programming mean in the context of Cobol?

  This question explores the programmer’s understanding of fundamental programming paradigms. It gauges their comprehension of Cobol’s procedural nature and how it influences problem-solving approaches. They should be able to explain how the principles of structured programming, like sequence, selection, and iteration, are manifested in Cobol.

• Can you explain a complex Cobol program you've written, and illustrate the problem it solved?

  A candidate that can dissect a complex program and distill it into simple terms demonstrates a well-rounded understanding of Cobol. The answer should elucidate on the specifics of the problem, the process of designing the solution, and how Cobol’s unique features were leveraged. It’s an indicator of problem-solving abilities and creativity.

• How do you ensure the maintainability and scalability of Cobol programs?

  Cobol’s longevity can be attributed to the maintainability and scalability of programs written in it. A proficient candidate will have strategies for ensuring code readability, like appropriate naming conventions, in-line documentation, modular programming, and regular refactoring. They should also understand how Cobol handles data structures and how to optimize for large-scale data processing.

• How do you approach debugging in Cobol?

  Debugging is an integral part of programming and this question assesses the approach taken by the programmer when faced with errors in their Cobol code. Be on the lookout for mentions of debugging tools like Xpediter or Debug Tool, as well as the use of Cobol's intrinsic functions and error-handling mechanisms.

• How do you test Cobol programs?

  Testing is crucial to ensure the reliability and integrity of Cobol programs. An adept programmer will be familiar with testing methods such as unit testing, system testing, and integration testing. They might also mention using automated testing tools or creating test data sets.

• How do you keep up-to-date with modern Cobol practices?

  With the continuous modernization efforts in the Cobol ecosystem, it’s essential for Cobol programmers to stay updated. This question is a chance to gauge the candidate’s commitment to continuous learning and their adaptability to evolving programming practices.

While technical acumen is crucial, remember that the ideal candidate should also demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills, creative thinking, and the ability to work within a team. These questions should serve as a guide to aid you in your quest to find the perfect Cobol programmer for your team. Happy hunting!

These queries are not just designed to assess technical acumen but to also provide a comprehensive insight into the candidate’s mindset, approach to problem-solving, and the potential to fit and thrive in your team’s existing dynamics.