What are Cobol Programmers (and how do they operate in the IT industry)?

In the vast, ever-expanding universe of information technology, a group of specialists often ironically pegged as 'technology dinosaurs' continue to play a pivotal role. The specialists in question are COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language) programmers. Invented in 1959, COBOL has stood the test of time, proving its relevance through multiple eras of technological innovation.

COBOL programmers are software developers specializing in this high-level programming language. They are the gatekeepers of numerous legacy systems in diverse sectors, including banking, insurance, and government. Their job entails maintaining, debugging, and updating COBOL-based software, as well as developing new ones as needed.

Despite being over six decades old, COBOL remains a mainstay in mainframe computing. A study by Micro Focus indicates that around 70% of global business transactions are still processed in COBOL. This prevalence of COBOL in the business world is a testament to its resilience and highlights the need for COBOL programmers.

One might wonder why, in an industry that thrives on novelty and evolution, COBOL has not been phased out. The reason lies in the principles of sunk costs and risk aversion embedded in economic theory. Companies have invested significant resources in their COBOL-based mainframe systems over the years. A switch to a newer language would demand not just considerable financial investment, but also a risky transition period which could disrupt ongoing operations. This risk-benefit analysis often tilts in favor of maintaining the status quo.

The programming language itself has several unique features that make it attractive. Its English-like syntax makes it more accessible, and its self-documenting feature simplifies code maintenance. Its ability to handle vast amounts of data efficiently has also contributed to its enduring popularity in data-intensive sectors.

However, COBOL is not without its challenges. One of the primary issues is the impending skill gap. Many COBOL programmers are nearing retirement age, and there's a dearth of new talent entering this field. This can be attributed to the lack of emphasis on COBOL in modern computer science curricula, and the perception of it as an antiquated language among young programmers.

The potential solutions to this problem could involve a blend of strategies: re-skilling existing IT workforce, incentivizing COBOL training for upcoming programmers, and using technology to mitigate the impact of the skill gap. For instance, automated COBOL code conversion tools can help modernize legacy systems, reducing their dependency on COBOL expertise.

In the grand scheme of technology evolution, it might seem counterintuitive for a programming language to persist for over 60 years. However, the case of COBOL and its programmers is a reminder that technological advancement is a complex process. It's not just about pioneering the new, but also about managing the old. As John F. Kennedy once said, "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." Hence, while we celebrate the advent of newer languages like Python or Java, let's not forget the silent workhorses like COBOL that continue to shape our digital landscape.

A study by Micro Focus indicates that around 70% of global business transactions are still processed in COBOL.