COBOL, or Common Business-Oriented Language, is a programming language that has been a mainstay in the world of enterprise computing for decades.
Though it might seem outdated to some, COBOL remains essential for many core business applications and systems, particularly in finance and government.
Learning COBOL opens doors to opportunities in these critical sectors, where demand for skilled professionals continues to be high.
If you’re interested in a career in mainframe development or want to work with the systems that power the global economy, COBOL is a valuable skill to acquire.
Finding a good COBOL course online, especially on Coursera, can be difficult with so many options to choose from.
You want a program that is comprehensive, well-structured, and taught by experienced professionals.
It should also be engaging and practical, providing hands-on experience to solidify your understanding of COBOL.
For the best COBOL course overall on Coursera, we recommend the IBM Mainframe Developer Professional Certificate.
This comprehensive program consists of seven courses that cover everything from the fundamentals of COBOL to advanced concepts like software development practices, data management, and testing.
It’s taught by IBM experts who have deep knowledge and experience in the field, providing real-world insights and practical examples.
The hands-on exercises and projects will give you the practical experience you need to confidently apply your COBOL skills in real-world scenarios.
This IBM Mainframe Developer Professional Certificate is our top pick, but other great COBOL courses are available on Coursera.
Keep reading to discover more options and find the perfect course for your learning style and goals.
IBM Mainframe Developer Professional Certificate
Exploring the IBM Mainframe Developer Professional Certificate on Coursera could be a pivotal step in your tech career, especially if you’re interested in the robust world of enterprise computing.
The journey begins with “Introduction to Enterprise Computing,” where you’ll gain foundational knowledge about mainframes, which are critical to the operations of major companies worldwide.
This course isn’t just theoretical; you’ll learn practical aspects of hardware and operating systems, and upon completion, you’ll earn a badge to validate your expertise.
Moving on to “IBM COBOL Basics,” you’ll delve into the essentials of COBOL, a language that’s vital to business applications.
This course demystifies COBOL’s structure and prepares you to write your first lines of code, setting a solid groundwork for more advanced studies.
As you progress to “IBM COBOL Core,” you’ll build on your initial COBOL knowledge.
Here, you’ll explore more complex features of the language, such as table handling and numeric operations.
This course is designed to deepen your understanding and prepare you for real-world programming challenges.
In “IBM COBOL Software Development Practices,” the focus shifts to the principles of writing high-quality COBOL code.
You’ll learn about the importance of quality assurance, project management, and maintaining existing codebases, which are crucial for any software development role.
Data management is a cornerstone of COBOL programming, and “IBM COBOL Data and File Management” equips you with the skills to handle data efficiently.
You’ll learn about file management and how relational databases integrate with mainframe environments, a skill set highly valued in the industry.
With “IBM COBOL Basic Testing and Debugging,” you’ll tackle the essential practice of ensuring your code is error-free.
This course teaches you how to identify and fix common issues, a critical skill that enhances the reliability and performance of software applications.
Finally, “IBM COBOL Software Development Process” offers a comprehensive view of the software development lifecycle.
You’ll gain insights into systems analysis, design, coding, and a range of topics that provide a well-rounded understanding of the development process.
This certificate can be a significant asset if you’re aiming to specialize in a field that’s at the core of global banking operations.
COBOL Programming with VSCode
This course is a practical, step-by-step guide to mastering COBOL, one of the most enduring programming languages in the business sector.
You’ll start by setting up VSCode, a modern code editor, and adding extensions specifically designed for COBOL.
This will streamline your coding experience right from the start.
As you delve into COBOL syntax, you’ll learn how to write code that’s both functional and organized.
The course breaks down COBOL Divisions, the essential sections of your program, and COBOL Variables, the core elements where your data lives.
Hands-on lab exercises begin with Lab 1, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned immediately.
You’ll continue to build your skills through practical labs, each one designed to reinforce a different aspect of COBOL programming.
You’ll tackle the Data Division, where you define what your program works with, and the Procedure Division, where you dictate what your program does.
You’ll also discover how to manage files and generate reports, crucial skills for any COBOL programmer.
The course doesn’t stop there.
You’ll learn how to structure your code with paragraphs and call other programs, making your code modular and efficient.
With labs 2 through 5, you’ll practice these new concepts until they become second nature.
Moving forward, you’ll get to grips with conditional and arithmetic expressions, understand the various data types, and use intrinsic functions to simplify common tasks.
By the time you complete labs 6 through 9, you’ll have a solid grasp of COBOL and the confidence to tackle real-world programming challenges.
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