Top 7 Professional Skills Every COBOL Application Developer Should Master

COBOL, the venerable programming language, stands the test of time and remains crucial in today’s business environments, especially in industries such as finance, insurance, and government. As a COBOL Application Developer, mastering specific skills can set you apart and ensure that you deliver efficient and effective solutions. This guide will delve into the top 7 professional skills that are indispensable for every COBOL developer seeking to excel in their career.

1. Proficiency in COBOL Programming

The foundation of any COBOL developer's skill set is a deep understanding of the COBOL language itself. COBOL, short for Common Business-Oriented Language, is designed for business-oriented applications. Unlike more modern languages, its syntax is more lengthy and descriptive, aimed to be easily understandable. Developers must be proficient in writing clear, efficient, and maintainable code.

In addition, familiarity with COBOL variations and dialects, such as IBM COBOL or Micro Focus COBOL, is beneficial. This proficiency not only covers coding but also debugging, testing, and optimizing COBOL applications.

2. Knowledge in Mainframe Technologies

COBOL is predominantly used in mainframe environments. Hence, gaining expertise in mainframe technology is crucial. This includes understanding how mainframe operating systems, such as IBM z/OS, work and how COBOL interacts with these systems.

Besides the core knowledge of the systems, learning about Job Control Language (JCL), batch processing, and managing data on mainframes are essential skills. Developers should be comfortable scripting and automating tasks to streamline operations and improve efficiency.

3. Experience with Databases

COBOL applications frequently involve extensive data processing and interaction with databases. Therefore, strong database skills are vital. Developers should understand how to use SQL and other query languages to interact with databases, retrieve or manipulate data, and ensure data integrity.

Working knowledge of various database management systems, such as DB2, IMS, or Oracle, can significantly enhance a developer's effectiveness. Understanding these systems' specific features and limitations allows for optimized database interaction and performance tuning of COBOL applications.

4. Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills

Effective problem-solving and analytical skills are vital for any developer. COBOL applications often involve complex business logic and large amounts of data. Thus, developers must be able to analyze requirements, identify issues, and devise solutions efficiently.

Being systematic in your approach, breaking down complex problems into manageable parts, and thinking critically to design solutions that scale with business needs are critical capabilities. Strong analytical skills also contribute to more efficient debugging and testing processes.

5. Communication and Teamwork

COBOL developers do not work in isolation. They often integrate their work with other team members, stakeholders, and IT staff. As such, excellent communication skills are necessary to articulate technical details to non-technical stakeholders and collaborate effectively within a team environment.

Teamwork and a good sense of collaboration can lead to more cohesive projects and ensure that all parts of a program or application fit together seamlessly. Regular meetings, sharing knowledge, and documentation are parts of fostering good communication in teams.

6. Adaptability and Willingness to Learn

Technology is ever-evolving, and even a well-established language like COBOL faces changes and updates. Developers must be adaptable and willing to learn new technologies, methodologies, and industry trends.

This could involve learning complementary languages like CICS for transaction processing or understanding new interfaces and API integration. Being adaptable and keeping pace with the industry developments is key to staying relevant and valuable in this field.

7. Understanding of Business Domains

Finally, a profound understanding of the business domain in which the COBOL applications are applied can be incredibly beneficial. Whether it's finance, healthcare, or manufacturing, understanding the specific processes, regulations, and business logic will translate into producing more relevant and compliant applications.

Knowledge of business domains enables developers to better interpret requirements and design applications that add tangible value to business operations.

Conclusion

Mastering these skills will not only advance a COBOL Application Developer's career but also ensure that they are producing top-quality programs that meet modern business needs. As businesses continue to rely on COBOL for mission-critical applications, skilled developers remain in high demand. By continually honing these skills, developers can sustain successful careers in this ever-important field.