Everyone talks about new programming languages and the latest tech trends like AI. But there’s an old programming language that quietly runs most of the world’s important systems: COBOL. People have been saying it’s dying for years, but it’s still here – and it’s not going anywhere.
The Numbers Are Huge
Here’s a fact that might shock you: 220 billion lines of COBOL code are running right now. That’s about 80% of all working code in the world. When you use your credit card, COBOL processes that payment. When you book a flight, COBOL handles your reservation. Government systems, insurance companies, banks – they all run on COBOL.
During the pandemic, unemployment websites crashed because too many people needed help. The problem wasn’t the internet or servers. The problem was finding COBOL programmers to fix old government systems, and many agencies even considered COBOL modernization projects as a long-term solution.
COBOL is Here to Stay
It Works Really Well COBOL was made to handle business data, and it’s excellent at this job. Banks process millions of payments every day without losing money – and they do it fast. That’s where COBOL works perfectly. Building new software this reliable and performant is very hard.
Companies Are Scared to Change Banks and insurance companies don’t like to replace their core business systems. These COBOL programs have been tested for decades. They passed government checks and handled big problems like the Y2K bug and financial crashes. Changing them costs a lot of money and creates big risks,. which is why COBOL modernization is often approached carefully.
The Math Makes Sense Replacing a working COBOL system can cost $50 million or more. Getting new banking software approved takes years. Sometimes it’s smarter to keep what works.
Why Cobol Modernization is Better Than Replacing
The best technology upgrades we’ve seen don’t throw away old business systems. They build around them. Think about mobile banking: when you check your account on your phone, your request travels through many new technologies but eventually reaches a COBOL system that’s been safely handling money for decades. This isn’t bad design – it’s smart design.
The best COBOL modernization platform
Most people think it’s a choice: COBOL or new technology. But leading companies know better; they use both. Here are the best practices for COBOL modernization:
Making Old Systems Talk to New Ones You can make COBOL systems work with mobile apps and websites. The old system stays safe and reliable, but customers get modern interfaces. It’s like putting a new dashboard in an old, reliable car.
Working with Cloud Services Big companies like Amazon, IBM, and Microsoft now help connect old mainframe computers to cloud services. They understand that the future is about connecting things, not throwing everything away which is also the core idea behind COBOL modernization.
Better DevOps and even GenAI Tools COBOL programming isn’t stuck in the past. Developers now use modern tools, automated testing, and new development methods. The COBOL language itself keeps getting updated with new features.
COBOL modernization can lead to significant cost savings. Upgrading to the latest compiler versions can reduce expensive MIPS usage, improving overall efficiency. Identifying and addressing performance bottlenecks can deliver impressive results — sometimes even dramatic improvements. Stay tuned for the next blog post.
The Job Market is Good for COBOL Developers
Yes, many COBOL experts are retiring. But this creates great opportunities for new developers. Companies pay very good money for people who can work with both old COBOL systems and modern technology.
Some universities are teaching mainframe programming again because students realized they can make good money knowing COBOL. Plus, you work on systems that really matter – not just another app that people will forget about. Skills in COBOL modernization make these developers even more attractive to employers.
What We’ve Learned
COBOL isn’t disappearing. That’s not a problem – it’s just reality. While everyone chases the newest programming trends, there’s something good about technology that has worked reliably for decades.
Successful companies view their COBOL applications as valuable assets, not problems to fix. The real challenge usually isn’t the COBOL code itself, but the system/application architecture designed 20–30 years ago. That architecture needs modernization. These companies deliver the modern experiences customers expect while preserving the reliable systems that keep their business running.
We’ve helped many companies solve this puzzle. The secret isn’t choosing between old and new technology. It’s about building connections between them. This might mean making COBOL systems work with modern apps, setting up cloud connections, or training teams to work with different technologies.
