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GnuCOBOL 3.1.1

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31–40 of 232 posts

Re: GnuCOBOL 3.1.1

#31
post #17

I do not get all the hatred. The idea behind COBOL’s syntax is the same as SQL’s: it is merely yet another “Structured English Query/Programming Language” designed, initially, for non-programmers to be able to describe in words what it is they would like to accomplish in a way they could be understood by the computer.

COBOL put me through undergrad, so I'm ok with it. And, it was developed long before a lot of modern compiler theory was even thought of, so it's going to be a little unfamiliar to those used to "modern" languages.

But it was developed long after math notation was thought of.

Re: GnuCOBOL 3.1.1

#33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

COBOL put me through undergrad, so I'm ok with it. And, it was developed long before a lot of modern compiler theory was even thought of, so it's going to be a little unfamiliar to those used to "modern" languages.

But it was developed long after math notation was thought of.

I should probably post more APL news.

Re: GnuCOBOL 3.1.1

#34

COBOL, Assembler, and FORTRAN are actually kind of cool.

Having spent much of my time in Fortan 90 the last couple of months - I'm going to have to go ahead and disagree with you on this one. You know all these people saying "when will I ever have to write mu own hash table?" Well, when you start working in Fortran.

Re: GnuCOBOL 3.1.1

#35
post #22
post #5

Sometimes I wonder if I should learn COBOL just so maybe I can get my first real programming job. (and no, I am not joking...)

I say YES do it, learn COBOL and Mainframes, don't listen to others who say Mainframe is a thing of the past, it's here to stay. Just talk with leading positions in Insurance/Finance government maybe?, they are more then happy to find someone who is motivated and eager to learn, AND they have the money and time to support and build-you-up (Training mentors certs licenses etc.).

Mainframes are alive and well, they just have new names like AWS, GCP, Azure...

Re: GnuCOBOL 3.1.1

#36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

COBOL put me through undergrad, so I'm ok with it. And, it was developed long before a lot of modern compiler theory was even thought of, so it's going to be a little unfamiliar to those used to "modern" languages.

But it was developed long after math notation was thought of.

Sure, but you'll note they didn't name it COMOL.

Re: GnuCOBOL 3.1.1

#37
post #5

Sometimes I wonder if I should learn COBOL just so maybe I can get my first real programming job. (and no, I am not joking...)

Just curious, but why is COBOL the first language that you think about for this?

Because I already know: C, C++, Obj-C, C#, Php, Lua, x86 ASM, ARM ASM, Linoleum (some ASM-like esoteric languagE), BASIC (not VB), Java, Python, JS, MushCODE (it is derived from LISP), SQL and some application specific scripting languages.

I started coding when I was 8, I am 32 now, and in my government-issued employer list, I had zero employers.

My dad knows COBOL and MUMPS, and kept talking about how horrible they are... but maybe I can get a job if I try these.

Re: GnuCOBOL 3.1.1

#38
post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I say YES do it, learn COBOL and Mainframes, don't listen to others who say Mainframe is a thing of the past, it's here to stay. Just talk with leading positions in Insurance/Finance government maybe?, they are more then happy to find someone who is motivated and eager to learn, AND they have the money and time to support and build-you-up (Training mentors certs licenses etc.).

Mainframes are alive and well, they just have new names like AWS, GCP, Azure...

Thanks for showing that you have no clue what a mainframe is.

Re: GnuCOBOL 3.1.1

#40
post #24
post #17

I do not get all the hatred. The idea behind COBOL’s syntax is the same as SQL’s: it is merely yet another “Structured English Query/Programming Language” designed, initially, for non-programmers to be able to describe in words what it is they would like to accomplish in a way they could be understood by the computer.

Whose hatred? I don't think I've seen anybody really hate on COBOL, it's just mostly irrelevant for modern programmers and people like to mock the FULL CAPS ULTRA VERBOSE SYNTAX (something that COBOL programmers themselves routinely do, see ADD 1 TO COBOL GIVING COBOL).

Less verbose `ADD 1 TO LINE.` or there is the handy `COMPUTE N = A + B + 5;`
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