Searching for a COBOL programmer in today’s high-tech world might seem like you’re chasing a relic of the past. But the reality is quite the opposite.
Despite its legacy status, COBOL remains a cornerstone of business-critical systems across industries. Originally developed in the 1950s, COBOL continues to power key operations due to its reliability, precision, and unmatched strength in transaction processing.
So, in an era dominated by Python, Java, and other modern languages, the question persists — why does COBOL still matter?
COBOL’s Enduring Value in Business Applications
Robert Glass, an esteemed software engineer, outlined three core strengths that make COBOL well-suited for enterprise programming:
- Handling Complex Data Structures:
COBOL excels in managing varied data types — strings, decimals, integers, and floats — crucial for large-scale business applications. - Accurate Financial Computations:
With native decimal support, COBOL delivers precision in financial calculations, making it ideal for accounting systems. - Efficient Record Management:
COBOL’s compatibility with structured external data allows for streamlined, reliable business operations.
These attributes explain why COBOL isn’t just surviving — but thriving — in 2025.
By the Numbers: COBOL’s Global Presence
- 27,000+ organizations worldwide are adopting COBOL (iSeries) solutions, with the U.S., U.K., and Italy leading the way. (Source: 6Sense)
- 220 billion+ lines of COBOL code remain in use, with 1.5 billion new lines written annually. This code powers 80% of face-to-face financial transactions globally. (Source: Forbes)
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, COBOL was trending on Twitter after New Jersey’s 40-year-old unemployment system required urgent help from COBOL programmers — a clear sign of its ongoing relevance.
Industries Relying on COBOL:
- Insurance
- Consulting
- Engineering
- Banking & Finance
- Transportation
- Software Development
The verdict is clear: As long as enterprises trust their legacy systems, COBOL and its programmers will remain essential.
Understanding COBOL’s Role Today
COBOL — short for Common Business-Oriented Language — is an object-oriented, imperative language tailored specifically for business needs. It powers administrative systems in both government and private sectors, particularly within IBM iSeries (AS400) environments.
A Quick History
COBOL was introduced in 1959 by CODASYL, mainly for the U.S. Department of Defense, to standardize data processing. It became an official standard in 1968, and its latest version — ISO/IEC 1989:2014 — shows the language has evolved to keep up with changing technology.
The Stats Speak for Themselves
IBM reports that 70% of global business transactions still run on COBOL. Its unmatched security, reliability, and performance have helped it withstand the test of time — even as its developer base ages.
Why Isn’t COBOL More Popular?
Despite its strengths, COBOL has seen a decline in popularity due to:
- The rise of more flexible, modern languages.
- Limited adoption in academic institutions.
- Migration of COBOL developers to new platforms, leading to a talent shortage.
But does this mean COBOL is obsolete? Absolutely not. It remains essential for industries that rely on transactional integrity and massive data workloads.
COBOL Developers: Then and Now
Most COBOL developers today focus on maintaining existing systems — but many are also upgrading and integrating COBOL with modern technologies. These professionals offer a valuable mix of legacy knowledge and modern skillsets.
Common Roles of COBOL Developers:
- Writing and maintaining COBOL applications
- Database query optimization (e.g., DB2)
- Testing, debugging, and enhancing business logic
- Generating reports using data inputs (XML, JSON, CSV)
COBOL vs. Modern Programming Languages
Why hasn’t COBOL been replaced?
COBOL was designed in a time when programming languages were tailored to specific needs. For businesses, especially in banking or government, it made no sense to build a new system from scratch when COBOL could handle the workload.
Limitations:
- No dynamic memory allocation
- Limited recursion support
- Restricted access to OS-level features
- Verbose syntax
Despite these, COBOL’s domain-specific design ensures it outperforms many modern languages in tasks like financial processing and high-volume data transactions.
Industries That Still Need COBOL Developers
Many sectors continue to rely on COBOL for daily operations, including:
- Banks — Transaction processing, recordkeeping
- Insurance — Claims, policy management
- Engineering — Project costing, inventory
- Government — Legacy systems, social services
- Logistics — Supply chain operations
- Software Firms — Maintenance of client systems
Should You Hire a COBOL Programmer in 2025?
Absolutely — if your systems run on IBM i or AS400.
Replacing COBOL with a modern language sounds appealing but involves significant costs, risks, and time. Hiring COBOL developers — whether in-house or via partners — remains a practical solution.
Key Challenges for COBOL Programmer
- Maintaining legacy code: With 220 billion+ lines still in operation, ensuring system stability is a massive task.
- Shrinking talent pool: Many COBOL experts are nearing retirement, and few younger developers are learning the language.
- Knowledge gaps: Documentation for older systems is often limited or outdated, making maintenance harder.
Hiring COBOL Talent: Two Approaches
1. Build an In-House Team
Pros:
- Control over workflows and security
- Strong team culture and collaboration
Cons:
- Talent scarcity
- High compensation costs
- Long hiring cycles (90–180 days)
- Risk of knowledge loss with employee turnover
2. Partner with a COBOL Service Provider
Pros:
- Instant access to vetted COBOL experts
- Flexible engagement models (project-based, monthly, hybrid)
- No overhead of training or onboarding
- Easy scalability as per project needs
Bottom line- Outsourcing COBOL expertise is often the faster, more scalable, and cost-effective route.
Key Business Goals with COBOL in 2025
Forward-looking tech leaders are:
- Modernizing legacy applications
- Integrating cloud and mobile solutions
- Enhancing security protocols
- Documenting legacy code for smoother transitions
- Investing in COBOL training for new talent
COBOL might feel “old school,” but smart businesses use it as a foundation for future-ready systems.
Final Thoughts
The IBM iSeries platform and COBOL language are far from obsolete. In fact, they’re critical to industries that prioritize reliability, precision, and long-term stability.
COBOL’s future lies not in replacement, but in smart integration — through modernization, hybrid systems, and cross-skilled development teams.
At Integrative Systems, we specialize in bridging that gap — offering both COBOL expertise and modernization services to future-proof your business.
Have questions? Need expert COBOL developers for your IBM i project? Contact us at contact@integrativesystems.com
