APPRENDRE LE COBOL. (1/13 ) POUR QUI ? POURQUOI ?

Summary

In this introductory video, Nico discusses COBOL, a programming language developed in 1959 primarily for business data processing. Despite predictions of its decline, COBOL remains vital, powering millions of daily transactions and managing essential services like banking and transportation. With over 200 billion lines of COBOL code in use, the language is integral to many industries, yet there is a dwindling number of developers proficient in it. Learning COBOL presents a unique opportunity, especially for those looking to transition into tech careers, as demand for COBOL developers continues to rise.

Takeaways

• 🐾 COBOL, which stands for Common Business-Oriented Language, was created in 1959 to facilitate advanced programming for business data processing.
• 📊 COBOL has been in use for over 60 years, and despite predictions of its demise, it remains crucial in various industries.
• 💻 There are over 200 billion lines of COBOL code still in circulation, primarily due to its application in banking and business operations.
• 🔄 Many organizations, including government institutions, continue to rely on and maintain their COBOL applications, making it impractical to replace them.
• 🛒 COBOL is embedded in everyday transactions, from ATMs to online shopping, affecting the daily lives of millions.
• 📈 Statistics show that COBOL processes significantly more transactions daily than Google searches.
• 🚆 COBOL plays a key role in managing critical systems such as train schedules, air traffic control, and supermarket inventory.
• 👩‍💻 Learning COBOL not only connects one to the history of programming but also offers opportunities to solve major business problems.
• 💼 The demand for COBOL developers has surged as the workforce knowledgeable in this language is aging, leading to a skills gap.
• 🌟 COBOL is seen as a valuable language for career changers, with many job opportunities and limited competition from recent graduates.

Q & A

What does COBOL stand for?

COBOL stands for 'Common Business-Oriented Language.'

When was COBOL first developed?

COBOL was developed in 1959 at the initiative of the U.S. government.

What was the primary goal of COBOL's design?

The main objective of COBOL's design was to create an advanced programming language adaptable for business management processes.

How many lines of COBOL code are currently in circulation?

There are over 200 billion lines of COBOL code currently in circulation.

In what areas is COBOL predominantly used today?

COBOL is used in various sectors, including banking transactions, government organizations, healthcare management, and logistics.

Why is COBOL still relevant in modern technology?

COBOL remains relevant because many organizations still rely on it for critical applications, and replacing it with newer languages is often not cost-effective.

What is a significant statistic about COBOL transactions compared to Google searches?

It is estimated that there are 200 times more COBOL transactions each day than Google searches each year.

What challenges are faced in the COBOL programming community?

One challenge is the aging population of COBOL programmers, making it increasingly difficult to find skilled professionals.

What opportunities exist for new developers learning COBOL?

There are many job openings for COBOL developers, making it a promising language for career change and new graduates.

How does COBOL manage everyday tasks in society?

COBOL is involved in managing various everyday tasks such as processing bank transactions, scheduling trains, and handling inventory in supermarkets.