The computer language known as COBOL or Common Business Oriented Language was a pioneering step in creating the kinds of accounting tools that are now common in every industry, and that generate a lot of COBOL programming classes and training scenarios. Though much of the newer technology has been built with leaner, newer languages, COBOL is still very much in use. All kinds of businesses use computerized schedules and software with a COBOL element.

When a business wants to look into training staffers on COBOL, there are a few things that might be helpful. For beginners who know next to nothing about COBOL, which is now called a "legacy" language due to its obsolescence, it can be a good idea to do some quick research on aspects of COBOL, as well as its training and use, before jumping into training solutions that may not really fit the bill. Web users can take advantage of the Internet to tackle resources on COBOL programming education and training for beginners including:

1. Some sites offering basic introductions to what COBOL looks like and what it is used for, as well as what COBOL courses might include or a tutorial on COBOL.

2. Some informational resources on the present role of COBOL programming training and education as well as COBOL use in today's markets.

3. More on the future of COBOL training and use to help gauge whether a COBOL training or educational program is on the cards for a business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Do a little reading on COBOL training syntax for beginners

One thing that is helpful when contemplating a COBOL training program is to do a little 'background' on the language to get a better feel for what it entails. This could be seen as a 'first step' for a COBOL education program.

I recommend: Read up on some COBOL basics to get acquainted with syntax at ZingCOBOL. Get more of this kind of data from COBUG (COBOL User Groups) online.

Get news on what COBOL is doing in the market and how COBOL training works

Another aspect of looking at COBOL education and training for a business is evaluating the uses of COBOL and educational programs that pertain to a current business scheme. How do programmers get trained in COBOL? What about online COBOL training? These questions get answered at various websites that help to inform beginners on the process of learning this language.

I recommend: Find out about trends in COBOL programmer self-training at this page from ComputerWorld. Get another perspective from employment site Dice.com.

Peer into the COBOL training future

Web readers can also get a look at where COBOL training and use is going to go in the future by discovering how long it may be necessary to train in this time-tested language with COBOL classes or COBOL programming guide options.

I recommend: Take a look at The Future of COBOL to help brainstorm the role that this language will have years from now. Find more at the COBOL Portal online.

COBOL programming education and training will teach you what you need to learn in order to program in COBOL. This is a smart move for people who want to work as computer programmers. With a bit of COBOL training, you can have a steady career.

COBOL is an older programming language, which makes it somewhat less popular. Nonetheless, there are many programs that used COBOL as a programming language, and the companies that created these programs need people who have taken COBOL programming classes to make modifications to existing programs.

With COBOL programming training you can:

1. Start a career as a programmer. If you are looking to break into programming, then COBOL programming schools will give you the credentials you need to get started.

2. Become more valuable to your employer. As you increase your knowledge and skills, you become a more important part of your company. This frequently leads to promotions or increases in pay.

3. Add to your programming language repertoire. It's best to know as many programming languages as possible. If you already have a few under your belt, COBOL classes can help you learn a new skill.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start your COBOL programming education and training with online tutorials

Some people have no problems teaching themselves a new programming language. If you are this type of person, then it's best to use a COBOL programming tutorial instead of paying money for classes.

I recommend: The Department of CSIS has a COBOL programming guide that includes lessons and practice exercises. This is a great way to get started. The Techi Warehouse also has a tutorial on COBOL.

Take COBOL classes to learn the programming language

Some people prefer to have a teacher guide them through the learning process. Attending classes is a great way to learn to program in COBOL. You'll get the hands-on experience you need to succeed.

I recommend: You can get your COBOL training at a traditional college. For example, the computer science department at Tuskegee University has classes in COBOL. Alternatively, you may prefer the convenience of online COBOL training. In that case, look for an online class at World Wide Learn.

Get COBOL programming certification to boost your credibility

Having a certification shows potential employers that you are dedicated and have the knowledge it takes to effectively program for them. If you want a career in programming, it's best to have some certifications under your belt. Many of your competitors will have these qualifications.

I recommend: IBM offers classroom and online training for their COBOL certification. Hotcourses lists a Certificate in Effective Programming with COBOL course.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many companies offer an employee training reimbursement program that helps employees pay for continuing education classes. If you are interested in COBOL classes, you may want to see whether your employee will pay for it.

The projected growth in software programming jobs has led many to seek out COBOL programming training in order to qualify for these lucrative positions. With job growth projected to continue through the year 2013, the number of those seeking to add COBOL programming skills to their resume continues to rise. When seeking training, you have many options. Choices range from the traditional classroom environment to a distance-learning, online format.

It is important to seek out COBOL programming education and training advice and ratings during the decision-making process to ensure that you find the training and support that is right for you. There are now training opportunities available to suit any lifestyle regardless of your current professional and personal commitments. As you compare your options, keep the following in mind:

1. Look for COBOL programming education programs with a proven success record.

2. All COBOL courses are not created equal. Evaluate the curriculum to ensure that you will receive the education you need.

3. COBOL training is only the beginning. Make sure the COBOL courses you select are a path to COBOL programming certification.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out what students and COBOL professionals are saying about training options

Before you enroll in COBOL programming classes, it is helpful to hear what other students are saying about the quality of the education they received.

I recommend: StudentsReview can give you the insight of students who have completed COBOL classes and are now employed in a real-world environment. Indeed provides discussion by COBOL professionals on what training is necessary for applying COBOL in real programming jobs, including information on COBOL programming certification.

Explore the convenience of online COBOL programming training

As distance learning has caught on in recent years, many online COBOL training programs have been developed to meet the needs of the distance learner.

I recommend: Intelligentedu.com provides advice for choosing online COBOL courses, and lists several that are free of charge! WannaLearn also provides resources and rankings for online COBOL courses.

Make COBOL tutorials and books a part of your COBOL programming training

The list of tutorials and books available to learn COBOL programming is extensive. To navigate through the maze of available products, it is important to do your homework ahead of time.

I recommend: ComputerTechnicalTutorials & More provides a list that includes a description of each tutorial on COBOL, along with user rankings. Programmingbooks.org provides a list of the top books every programmer should read. Visiting these sites will get you on track when pursuing your COBOL programming training.

COBOL or Common Business-Oriented Language is what some would call a dinosaur in the programming world. However, to others, who might call it a "legacy" language, COBOL is still very relevant. In particular, the simple syntax of COBOL makes it popular with some users. Also, there are many businesses using software designed in previous eras when COBOL was the norm. That means that COBOL may be around for a while. Businesses looking to establish themselves in the COBOL industry can take a look at these simple key terms for learning the basics of the language or going in depth and getting training and credentials.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

COBOL syntax

One of the first things that a user should learn about COBOL is its syntax. COBOL syntax is the set of terms used in writing code in COBOL. These key words make up the functionality of this traditional computer language.

I recommend: See links to arrays, data types and much more in COBOL syntax at COBUG.

COBOL code samples

COBOL code samples are examples of actual COBOL programs. These presentations will show beginners how the COBOL syntax is used in practice and gives insight into how to learn the language.

I recommend: Get a set of COBOL code samples from CapitalWare.

COBOL tutorials

COBOL tutorials are online modules that show first time users or others how to structure COBOL programs and commands. COBOL tutorials are a useful step in getting better trained in this language.

I recommend: See examples of COBOL tutorials at this Department of Computer Science page.

COBOL business applications

Although in computer programming, 'application' generally refers to a stand-alone program, COBOL applications can also mean the ways that COBOL can be used in a business environment. According to many, it is being phased out for newer, sleeker options, but COBOL has a number of elements that some experts say will make it part of the business world for some time to come.

I recommend: See more at this page on COBOL Business Applications.

COBOL training classes

These kinds of training solutions show students how to use COBOL incisively: take a look to see what kind of COBOL training would be right for a business staffer.

I recommend: Get links to COBOL classes at Training-Classes.com.

COBOL certification

COBOL certification is the process of getting credentialed in this language. A business may want to invest in getting one or more staffers COBOL certified in order to persuade clients of in-house skill in dealing with COBOL.

I recommend: Find out about some COBOL certification options at this IBM page.