GOAL DIRECTED LEARNING
COBOL Compilers are critical to working with COBOL (COmmon Business Oriented Language). A compiler is computer software that translates code written in a programming language (in this case COBOL) and translates it to an executable form. COBOL versions are specific to operating systems: Windows, Linux, IBM Mainframe, IBM Midrange and other environments. If you are going to learn or use COBOL, you need to acquire or gain access to a COBOL compiler.
The top four sources for COBOL compilers are:
These are not the only source of COBOL compilers. Legacy and specialty COBOL compilers are lised below ...
Fujitsu NetCOBOL supports Windows, Linux and Solaris. It supports the Microsoft .NET environment by generating Microsoft®’s Intermediate Language (MSIL) code that executes under the Common Language Runtime (CLR). It can interoperate with other Microsoft languages like C# and VN.NET and so support Windows and Azure Cloud development. GTSoftware originated NetCOBOL, sold rights to Fujitsu and now is a distributor of NetCOBOL. A free of charge run-time license is offered.
These sites address Fujitsu NetCOBOL:
GnuCOBOL, provided by the Free Software Foundation, is the leading free and open source COBOL compiler. The current version is GnuCOBOL 2.2. The compiler started out as OpenCOBOL and then was named GnuCOBOL in 2013. Since that time, there have been many contributors and improvements. The product is solid - it has passed NIST COBOL 85 test suits and numerous internal checks. It is internationa with compiler messages available in: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Dutch, German, French and more are planned.
GnuCOBOL is well integrated with C, C++ and other languages: Java, JavaScript and Python. It generates Gnu C which is in turn compiled. Multiple COBOL dialects are supported: COBOL85, X/Open, COBOL2002, COBOL2014, MicroFocus, IBM, MVS, ACUCOBOL-GT, RM/COBOL and BS2000. EXEC SQL preprocessors support includes: PostgreSQL, Firebird, ODBC and DB2.
These sites address Gnu COBOL:
Do you want to run COBOL on IBM Mainframe or Midrange computers - then IBM COBOL is the way to go. IBM has been a trend setter. Recently, IBM has promoted learning of COBOL skills by organizing elearning COBOL training classes which include remote access of Z/OS mainframes - very cool!
These sites address IBM COBOL and Mainframes:
Micro Focus has been a leader in the COBOL market place since introducing a product in the 1970s. In addition to its own flagship Visual COBOL products it has acquired product lines from ACUOBOL, RM/COBOL and others. Micro Focus also provides supporting software such as IDEs and mainframe environment emulators. It's products tend to be portable to the Windows and Linux environments. Run-time support with paid license is required to support programs compiled with Micro Focus COBOL.
Micro Focus International PLC is a major software company. Originally incorporated in 1976, it grew greatly through merger with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) in 2016. Until the merger, Micro Focus was centered on its COBOL products. Many products have been added since the merger which can make it harder to find Cobol when searching Micro Focus website.
These sites address Micro Focus COBOL:
Additional COBOL compilers beyond the major players are below:
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