cobc: the COBOL compiler

Compile modes

cobc compiles a .cob or .cbl file. The -x flag produces a runnable executable instead of a module, and -o names the output file:

cobc -x -o hello hello.cob

Useful flags

Two flags make learning easier. -free switches from fixed-format columns to free-format source, and -Wall asks for more warnings:

cobc -x -free -Wall -o hello hello.cob

Run and trace

The compiler can also run your program directly with -run, which is handy while you experiment:

cobc -x -free -run hello.cob

Next: Your first COBOL program

Article author: Arthur Isaev