Ask These Questions to a Cobol Programmer to Choose the Right One for Your Project

In the world of agile development and bleeding-edge technologies, there exists a stalwart of information technology that continues to power crucial business operations. This venerable language is none other than COBOL - Common Business Oriented Language.

Since its inception in 1959, COBOL has remained a backbone of numerous industries, including banking, insurance, and retail. While it might not be the choice of language for aspiring software developers, there's no denying the critical role COBOL programmers play in maintaining, updating, and improving legacy systems.

However, choosing the right COBOL programmer for your project is not a straightforward task. It requires an understanding of their capabilities, experience, and approach to problem-solving. This post will help you navigate that process by highlighting key questions to ask when interviewing a prospective COBOL programmer.

• "Can you explain your experience with COBOL in different domains?"

  The relevance and importance of this question lie in the domain-specific nature of COBOL. For instance, the applications of COBOL in a banking environment versus an insurance environment can differ dramatically. The language itself may remain the same, but the nuances, regulations, and business logic vary with the domain. Understanding the programmer's experience across different sectors will give you valuable insight into their adaptability and potential fit for your project.

• "How proficient are you with other programming languages?"

  This may seem like an incongruous question given that we're discussing COBOL. However, integrating COBOL-based systems with modern frameworks often requires an understanding of other languages. For example, Java or .NET may be used to create interfaces or develop new features. Therefore, a COBOL programmer’s ability to work with other languages can enhance their versatility and value to your project.

• "Can you explain a challenging COBOL project you've worked on and how you overcame the difficulties?"

  This question delves into the candidate’s problem-solving abilities. COBOL, like any other language, comes with its share of complexities. Given its extensive use in legacy systems, challenges could range from the lack of proper documentation to the difficulties posed by outdated code. The answer to this question can reveal the candidate’s ability to troubleshoot issues, their perseverance, and their resourcefulness.

• "What approaches do you use for testing and debugging COBOL code?"

  Testing is a fundamental aspect of software development, irrespective of the language used. An understanding of unit testing, system testing, and integration testing is essential for any programmer. COBOL, in particular, is often used in business-critical systems where errors can have significant implications. Thus, the candidate's approach to testing and debugging can provide insights into their attention to detail and their commitment to delivering robust and reliable software solutions.

• "How do you stay current with COBOL standards and practices?"

  Despite being over six decades old, COBOL continues to evolve. Recently, new features like object-oriented COBOL and XML processing capabilities were added. Consequently, it’s important for COBOL programmers to keep themselves updated with the latest standards and practices. This question can shed light on their dedication and passion for their craft, which directly impacts their performance.

• "Can you describe a time when you had to convince a team to continue using COBOL over a newer technology?"

  In the age of rapid technological advancement, there can be a pull towards newer, shinier tools. However, in certain situations, the use of COBOL is warranted due to its proven reliability and stability. This question helps assess the candidate's communication skills and their ability to advocate for the right tool for the job, even if it isn’t the most popular or trendy choice.

In conclusion, selecting the right COBOL programmer for your project requires a thorough understanding of their technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and their adaptability to different business environments. Armed with these questions, you will be better positioned to evaluate prospective candidates, ensuring your project's success and the continued resilience of your COBOL-based systems.

While it might not be the choice of language for aspiring software developers, there's no denying the critical role COBOL programmers play in maintaining, updating, and improving legacy systems.