(UPDATE: IBM wants to train more COBOL programmers.)
Regular readers will remember my 2018 story about the state upgrading its tax system because they were still running COBOL. After it ran I heard from COBOL programmers as far away as Brazil who offered their expertise.
In case you thought this was just an example of backward old New Hampshire, check this story from CNN:
On top of ventilators, face masks and health care workers, you can now add COBOL programmers to the list of what several states urgently need as they battle the coronavirus pandemic. In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy has put out a call for volunteers who know how to code the decades-old computer programming language called COBOL because many of the state’s systems still run on older mainframes. In Kansas, Gov. Laura Kelly said the state’s Departments of Labor was in the process of modernizing from COBOL but then the virus interfered. “So they’re operating on really old stuff,” she said. Connecticut has also admitted that it’s struggling to process the large volume of unemployment claims with its “40-year-old system comprised of a COBOL mainframe and four other separate systems.
Did you hear that, university computer science departments? Scrap the AI curriculum and set up some COBOL classes!
Return to the Concord Monitor
“cowhands”?! I resemble that remark!
(seriously … I’m a potential candidate for those jobs, but … never heard the term “cowhand” related to programmers)
I originally had “COBOL cowboys” because it sounds funny – those repeated c- and b- sounds – but I’m trying to gender-neutralify things as much as possible.
I did one COBOL program once … and met Admiral Grace Hopper.
I think if you scrape the surface off many of our financial institutions, even some really big ones a moderate amount of COBOL and DB2 will emerge …
Nothing to be ashamed of … only goes to prove that the work was done well way back then…. Now as far as finding ways to move to more modern technology, that’s what AI is for. Just consider adding DB2 access to Python ….
The IBM PC debuted 39 years ago (1981). How many applications designed on that platform are still running?
I feel badly for all those struggling to apply for unemployment benefits but I have ZERO sympathy for government administrations that neglected, for decades, to update and upgrade those systems. Just speculating but I suspect that, over time, those administrations also let go the older programmers who knew COBOL because they were too expensive to keep around.
People seldon want to pay for upgrades. “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it”. Well now it is broken, well not really, now it is overloaded and should have been updated years ago.
Having programmed in COBOL for many years, I would speculate that the the states are facing a issue with field size. Most likely the system were designed to hold 5 digit applicant ID numbers, and with the enormous number of applicants they are exceeding the systems ability to house the ID numbers needed. Most would likely be maxed out at 99,999 available IDs. This would require significant field expansion efforts both for the programs and the underlying storage definitions. Many a company have ran into this as small business’s grew larger than every imagined. The same thing occurred across the industry when the century crossed over from 1999 to 2000. Few had anticipated the need for calculating dates using the century, as it was assumed to be 19.
It isn’t 5 digit applicant ID numbers because most states use a nine digit claimant ID based on SSN. It is the volume of claims and possibly the size of the weekly benefit amount. Also there are three new programs that have to be considered for cases of overpayments or fraud.
How the heck does someone with this expertise sign up?
I can program in COBOL & the never Technologies. How can I help?
I meant newer. I can program in COBOL & the newer technologies. I also know JCL to execute the COBOL jobs. How can I help?
We used to sit around and sing IT songs after work…(bet you know all the words already!)
To the tune of “If I were a rich man”…
“If I were a coder…
“I wouldn’t have to work hard…
“We’d see a big 370 off to my left and a 3274 on my right…passing by the card reader as we go…
“There’d be a mess of cards on the floor and another in the sink…
“and the boss is in his big-bird suit just for show…
What’s the contact info or website to sign up to help? I’ve seen the plea all over the place but with no way to do so.
where do you apply for a COBOL volunteer assignment (part time)?
I’m a good COBOL Programmer. I make use of Structured style of coding which never, never fails at all. Debugging a structured COBOL program is easier than the traditional flow. It’s easy to maintain, understand and modify. I have about 8 years experience but I do guarantee accuracy and efficiency.
The fact that you have completely misunderstood what this site is makes that last claim a little suspect.