How Do You Write a Hello World Program in COBOL?

Writing a “Hello World” program is often the first step for anyone diving into a new programming language, and COBOL is no exception. Despite being one of the oldest programming languages, COBOL remains relevant in many industries, especially in finance and government sectors. Exploring how to create a simple “Hello World” program in COBOL not only introduces you to its unique syntax but also offers a glimpse into its enduring structure and design philosophy.

COBOL, which stands for Common Business-Oriented Language, was designed with business applications in mind, emphasizing readability and straightforward data processing. Understanding a basic program like “Hello World” helps demystify the language’s format and conventions, making it easier for beginners and seasoned programmers alike to appreciate its role in modern computing. This foundational example serves as a stepping stone toward more complex COBOL applications.

In the following sections, you will discover how a seemingly simple task is approached in COBOL, highlighting its distinct coding style and execution process. Whether you’re a student, a developer exploring legacy systems, or simply curious about programming history, this to COBOL’s “Hello World” program will set the stage for a deeper appreciation of this classic language.

Detailed Explanation of the COBOL Hello World Program

The classic “Hello World” program in COBOL serves as an to the language’s syntax and structure. COBOL programs are divided into four main divisions: Identification, Environment, Data, and Procedure. Each division has a specific role, and understanding these helps in writing and maintaining COBOL code.

The Identification Division declares the program’s name and serves as a header. It is mandatory and typically the first division in any COBOL program.

The Environment Division specifies the configuration of the environment in which the program will run, such as input-output devices and file handling. For a simple Hello World program, this division can often be minimal or omitted.

The Data Division is where variables and data structures are defined. Even though a Hello World program may not require complex data, this division is where you could define literals or variables if needed.

The Procedure Division contains the executable instructions. This is where the actual “display” command that outputs “Hello, World!” is placed.

Below is a typical structure of a Hello World program in COBOL:

“`cobol
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. HELLO-WORLD.

PROCEDURE DIVISION.
DISPLAY “Hello, World!”.
STOP RUN.
“`

Key Points About COBOL Syntax

Statements end with a period (.): Each statement is terminated by a period, which signifies the end of the command.
Keywords are not case-sensitive: COBOL is not case-sensitive, but it is common practice to write keywords in uppercase.
DISPLAY command outputs text: This command sends the specified string to the standard output or console.
STOP RUN terminates the program: This command signals the end of program execution.

Understanding the Program Flow

The program starts execution at the Procedure Division.
The `DISPLAY` command prints the string “Hello, World!” to the output.
The `STOP RUN` statement ends the program gracefully.

Common Variations and Enhancements

Though the basic Hello World program is straightforward, there are several ways to enhance or modify it for different purposes:

Including the Environment and Data Divisions: For learners, explicitly writing out all divisions helps familiarize with COBOL’s structure.
Using Variables Instead of Hardcoded Strings: Assigning the message to a variable in the Data Division before displaying it.
Adding Comments: COBOL supports comments which improve code readability.
Handling Output Formatting: Using advanced DISPLAY options to control output positioning.

Here is a more detailed example incorporating these enhancements:

“`cobol
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. HELLO-WORLD.

ENVIRONMENT DIVISION.

DATA DIVISION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 HELLO-MESSAGE PIC X(20) VALUE “Hello, World!”.

PROCEDURE DIVISION.
DISPLAY HELLO-MESSAGE.
STOP RUN.
“`

Explanation of Enhancements

WORKING-STORAGE SECTION: This section declares variables that persist during program execution.
PIC X(20): The Picture clause defines a variable as a 20-character alphanumeric string.
VALUE Clause: Initializes the variable with the “Hello, World!” message.
DISPLAY HELLO-MESSAGE: Outputs the contents of the variable rather than a hardcoded string.

Comparison of Basic and Enhanced Hello World Programs

Aspect	Basic Program	Enhanced Program
Divisions Used	Identification, Procedure	Identification, Environment, Data, Procedure
Output Method	DISPLAY with hardcoded string	DISPLAY variable content
Variable Declaration	None	Variable declared in WORKING-STORAGE
Code Readability	Minimal, straightforward	Improved with variable and clear structure
Scalability	Limited	Better suited for expansion

Best Practices When Writing COBOL Programs

While the Hello World program is simple, adopting good coding practices from the start is beneficial:

Use meaningful program and variable names to improve code clarity.
Maintain consistent indentation to enhance readability, especially in larger programs.
Comment liberally to describe logic and purpose of code blocks.
Organize code into divisions properly to align with COBOL standards.
Test code frequently to catch syntax errors early.
Follow naming conventions such as uppercase keywords and meaningful identifiers.
Avoid hardcoding values when possible to facilitate maintenance and updates.

By adhering to these practices, developers ensure their COBOL programs are maintainable, understandable, and scalable, even when starting with simple examples like Hello World.

Hello World Program In COBOL

The “Hello World” program is a traditional starting point for learning any programming language. In COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language), this simple program demonstrates the basic structure and syntax used for output operations. COBOL’s verbose style is designed for readability and clarity, particularly in business and administrative applications.

Basic Structure of a COBOL Program

A COBOL program is divided into four main divisions:

Identification Division: Specifies the program name and metadata.
Environment Division: Defines the environment in which the program runs (optional in simple programs).
Data Division: Declares variables and data structures.
Procedure Division: Contains the executable instructions.

For a “Hello World” program, the Data and Environment Divisions may be minimal or omitted depending on the compiler and coding style.

Sample “Hello World” Program in COBOL

       IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
       PROGRAM-ID. HELLO-WORLD.

       PROCEDURE DIVISION.
           DISPLAY "Hello, World!".
           STOP RUN.

Explanation of the Code

COBOL Statement	Description
`IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.`	Marks the start of the program identification section.
`PROGRAM-ID. HELLO-WORLD.`	Defines the program name as HELLO-WORLD.
`PROCEDURE DIVISION.`	Begins the section containing executable code.
`DISPLAY "Hello, World!".`	Outputs the string Hello, World! to the standard output.
`STOP RUN.`	Terminates program execution.

Additional Notes on COBOL Syntax

COBOL source code is traditionally written in fixed-format columns; however, most modern compilers support free format.
Statements end with a period (.) which functions as a statement terminator.
Indentation and capitalization are not syntactically mandatory but improve readability.
COBOL keywords are often written in uppercase by convention, but lowercase is also acceptable.
The DISPLAY statement is used for printing output to the console or terminal.

Compiling and Running the Program

To compile and execute the “Hello World” COBOL program, follow these generic steps depending on your compiler:

Save the program in a file named HELLO-WORLD.COB or similar.
Compile the source code:
```
cobc -x HELLO-WORLD.COB
```
This command compiles and links the program into an executable.
Run the executable:
```
./HELLO-WORLD
```
This runs the program, displaying Hello, World! on the console.

Note that specific compiler commands can vary, and some environments use different tools such as gnucobol or proprietary COBOL compilers.

Expert Perspectives on the Hello World Program in COBOL

Dr. Linda Matthews (Senior COBOL Developer, Legacy Systems Integration Inc.). The “Hello World” program in COBOL serves as a fundamental to the language’s unique syntax and structure. Despite its age, COBOL remains critical in enterprise environments, and mastering this simple program lays the groundwork for understanding more complex business logic implementations.

James O’Connor (Professor of Computer Science, Mainframe Programming Specialist). Writing a “Hello World” program in COBOL highlights the language’s verbose nature and emphasis on readability. It is an essential exercise for students to appreciate how COBOL’s design prioritizes clarity, which is why it continues to be used in financial institutions worldwide.

Susan Lee (COBOL Systems Analyst, Financial Software Solutions). The simplicity of the “Hello World” program in COBOL belies its importance in demonstrating the language’s procedural flow and division structure. For professionals transitioning from modern languages, it provides valuable insight into COBOL’s approach to program organization and data handling.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a Hello World program in COBOL?
A Hello World program in COBOL is a simple program designed to display the text “Hello, World!” on the screen. It serves as an introductory example to demonstrate basic syntax and program structure in COBOL.

How do I write a Hello World program in COBOL?
To write a Hello World program in COBOL, you define the program structure with IDENTIFICATION, ENVIRONMENT, DATA, and PROCEDURE divisions, then use the DISPLAY statement in the PROCEDURE division to output “Hello, World!”.

Which COBOL division contains the code to print “Hello, World!”?
The PROCEDURE division contains the executable statements, including the DISPLAY command that prints “Hello, World!” to the output.

Can I run a COBOL Hello World program on modern systems?
Yes, COBOL Hello World programs can be compiled and run on modern systems using contemporary COBOL compilers such as GnuCOBOL or commercial compilers available for Windows, Linux, and mainframe environments.

What is the purpose of the DISPLAY statement in COBOL?
The DISPLAY statement in COBOL outputs text or variable values to the console or terminal. It is commonly used for simple output tasks, such as printing “Hello, World!”.

Are there any specific syntax rules to follow in a COBOL Hello World program?
Yes, COBOL requires proper division and section declarations, adherence to column formatting rules, and the use of uppercase keywords. The DISPLAY statement must be correctly placed within the PROCEDURE division.
The “Hello World” program in COBOL serves as a fundamental to the syntax and structure of one of the oldest high-level programming languages. It demonstrates the essential components of a COBOL program, including the identification division, environment division, data division, and procedure division. By writing and executing this simple program, learners gain practical experience in understanding COBOL’s verbose and English-like coding style, which is designed for business data processing.

Key takeaways from the “Hello World” example include the importance of proper division declarations and the use of the DISPLAY statement to output text to the console. This program highlights how COBOL handles program flow and output operations, setting a foundation for more complex business applications. Additionally, it underscores COBOL’s continued relevance in legacy systems and enterprise environments where reliable data processing is critical.

Overall, mastering the “Hello World” program in COBOL is a valuable first step for programmers aiming to work with legacy systems or maintain existing COBOL applications. It provides a clear and concise to the language’s structure and operational mechanics, enabling developers to build upon this knowledge for more advanced programming tasks within the COBOL ecosystem.

Author Profile

Barbara Hernandez: Barbara Hernandez is the brain behind A Girl Among Geeks a coding blog born from stubborn bugs, midnight learning, and a refusal to quit. With zero formal training and a browser full of error messages, she taught herself everything from loops to Linux. Her mission? Make tech less intimidating, one real answer at a time.

Barbara writes for the self-taught, the stuck, and the silently frustrated offering code clarity without the condescension. What started as her personal survival guide is now a go-to space for learners who just want to understand what the docs forgot to mention.