Learn Cobol : The Cobol Ninja Course

The Best Place To Learn Cobol

The Cobol Ninja Course offers the perfect opportunity to master a new skill in the computer programming industry and jumpstart a better future.

The next class starts June 25th 2024

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Hours

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Get ahead in life with the Cobol Ninja Course!

Learn Cobol From The Best

Driven by two leading self-taught COBOL specialists

Dov Keshet

Born in New York City, with close to 40 years experience in the industry, Dov shares his world-class knowledge and skills with the next generation of Cobol programmers. Dov is recognized as a driving force behind many award-winning solutions.

Batel Mirel

Batel is a leading authority in Cobol and Object Oriented Cobol programming. Having developed Cobol applications across the AS/400, Unix, and Web platforms, Batel has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share.

What Will I Learn ?

The Cobol Ninja Course - The Four Pillars

Introduction to Programming

The Cobol Ninja Programming course helps you start your programming journey on the right foot by learning and understanding the foundational principles that all developers need to know, regardless of platform and language. We provide simple explanations so that even if you’re new to code, you can quickly get acquainted with the basics – no previous knowledge of experience is needed. From variables to loops and conditions, arrays and database tables, we’ll help demystify the core concepts of programming, so that you will you can realize your full potential and shine.

The Cobol Language

After more than 60 years, the Cobol programming language is still the most widely used programming language in the world. Becoming a Cobol programmer can open new doors to long-term stability and professional opportunities. In the Cobol Ninja Course you’ll learn how to master the Cobol programming language, and the essential components of what make a great developer: writing source code, advanced structured programming techniques, testing and debugging techniques, development principles and performance tuning.

The course also includes an introduction to the RPG language

Operating System

Computer programs don’t run on their own – they are run under computer operating systems. A Cobol programmer needs to have a basic understanding of what computer operating systems are, what they do, and how to develop and run software under them.

The majority of Cobol employment opportunities are in large organizations within the government and business sectors, most of whom use very large computers with hardware and operating systems manufactured by IBM.

In order to prepare you for the real world, you will learn how to create and run your Cobol programs on a large IBM computer knows as the IBM iSeries, formerly known as the AS/400. You will learn to use the various tools this operating system provides so that you can create robust business applications.

Database

Cobol programs can do many things, but they are best known for their exceptional ability to access and process data stored in a Database Management System. And to this day, they still do so better than any other programming language.

In this course your will learn how to use IBM’s flagship database – DB2, the most powerful and stable database for large enterprises. You will learn how to create, update and access database tables from within Cobol programs, using both native Cobol and SQL.

All Database Management Systems provide the same functionality and work in a very similar way – this course will open the way for you to learn to work with other leading databases such as Oracle, SQLServer, and others.

Course Details

About The Cobol Ninja Course

The Cobol Ninja Course consists of 60 distinct classes taught over 30 weeks, twice a week through live online sessions (Zoom).

The classes are small, with only 10-15 participants, and each session is 3 hours long, with two short breaks.

No matter your background or experience in computer programming, people from all ages and walks of life have taken this course and were able to move ahead towards a more rewarding and stable professional environment as Cobol programmers.

Preparing You For The Real World

Standing By Your Side - During The Course And After

Ongoing Support

Our structured course will provide everything you need to become a successful Cobol programmer – from syntax to core concepts, to hands-on practice for real-world scenarios. We stand by your side through every step of the journey, providing guidance and support when needed. Missed a class or just didn’t get it right? No problem! We offer make-up sessions so you won’t fall behind. And after the course ends we continue to offer assistance at no extra cost, to help start your programming career! Start on your path towards greatness – the Cobol Ninja Course is here to show you the way.

Code Quality

The Cobol Ninja Course isn’t only about writing code that simply works – it also offers guidance on how to become a well-rounded programmer with efficient, fast results.

The challenge of programming lies in the design of the solution.

Throughout the course, you’ll gain knowledge on how to double-check your own code and ensure it will stand the test of time. We’ll help you learn how to create general solutions that can be reused in other scenarios.

You’ll learn how to structure your programs so that they will be able to scale and adapt to changes.

Our mission is to make sure you have all the necessary tools at your disposal to get ahead in life.

Ready, Set, Go!

Your ultimate goal is to find work as an entry-level Cobol programmer. Finding your first job is never easy in any field for anyone. Every organization has a job acceptance process that you must go through. Towards the end of the course we will learn about this process, so that you understand what to expect and how to conduct yourself. We will focus primarily on the various types or styles of technical questions or problems that you may be presented with, but will also spend time going over other aspects of the process, such as the personal interview or personality test which you may be asked to do by your potential employer as well.

Our Graduates

It's Time For A Change

The course was very detailed, and prepared me for my first job. If there was something I had trouble understanding, I was always able to get help, before, during and after course hours.

I highly recommend! Very professional and in-depth course. It gave me the tools to immediately start working in the field. Everything is explained with clarity and simplicity. I loved every minute!

The subject matter is taught in a very clear way, together with infinite patience and respect for each participant and where they are on this journey. I was always able to get help at all hours, even after I started working! The course gave me the practical tools to start working.

Dov has trained dozens of successful Cobol programmers, some of whom, like myself, have developed into leadership and management roles. Don't miss out on this opportunity to a stable and rewarding professional path.

Extremely professional and thorough course, along with tons of patience, always available to answer questions and help. A great opportunity to learn from a great teacher!

I consider myself so lucky! I've been in my new job as a Cobol programmer in a leading bank for over a year now. I didn't know a thing about programming before the course, and today I feel like I've found my calling!

I had worked as a Cobol programmer before, but was never able to learn in a deep and serious manner. Dov teaches from the the heart, from the basics to the most minute details. Now I feel like a true professional!

I highly recommend! Dov teaches with utmost care and sensitivity, you know he's been in your shoes. As a direct result of the course, I work today as a Cobol programmer. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to start working in this field!

I had the privilege to learn Cobol Programming in one of Dov's first courses over 20 years ago, and today I manage an IT department where we continue to develop Cobol and integrate them with digital applications. This course enabled me to quickly get started and forge my way ahead in life.

The course covers so much in great detail, each problem is analyzed from different angles so that we'll be prepared for real world scenarios. I especially appreciate the help in preparing for the job interview. Totally recommend!

I wholeheartedly recommend this exceptionally structured course which gives you the significant foundations for starting out as a Cobol programmer. Beyond that, Dov is an excellent and caring teacher.

The course is based on a proven track record of development of enterprise Cobol application systems, and is, in my opinion, the best way to take your first step into this ever growing field.

I learnt Cobol programming in this course over 20 years ago, with no knowledge in the field, and have been working in the same company ever since. This course opened the door for me to the world of programming.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cobol?

Cobol, also known as Common Business Oriented Language, is a high-level programming language used specifically for business applications.

It was developed in 1959 by a group of computer scientists who wanted to create a language that would be easily readable and maintainable by non-technical staff.

Despite being over half a century old, Cobol is still widely used today in industries such as banking, finance, and government.

Its reliability and stability make it a popular choice for organizations that require systems that can handle large amounts of data and complex operations.

Cobol may not be the most flashy or trendy language, but it has proven to be a steadfast cornerstone of the tech industry.

Why learn Cobol now?

As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, it may seem counterintuitive to invest time and resources in learning an “old-fashioned” programming language like COBOL.

However, many legacy systems that are still in use in various industries, such as finance and government, were originally programmed in COBOL.

With the inevitable retirement of experienced COBOL programmers, there is an increasing demand for a new generation of COBOL experts to maintain and update these systems.

Additionally, as more companies are taking a “cloud-first” approach to their IT infrastructure, there is a growing need to modernize existing COBOL applications to work effectively in the cloud.

All in all, learning COBOL in 2023 is not only a practical career move, but also a valuable investment in the future.

How will I learn to code?

You will be assigned a user account on an IBMi (AS/400) computer which you will access remotely, whenever you want.

We will help you set that up in a few minutes.

You will not only learn how to write Cobol programs on the AS/400 – you will also learn many things about the operating system – how to create and use libraries, objects and commands, and run your Cobol programs.

What are my chances of finding work ?

The demand for COBOL programmers has increased in recent years due to the reliance on the legacy language by businesses, particularly in the financial industry.

Despite the misconception that COBOL is a dying language, there are still millions of lines of code running on COBOL, and the need for skilled programmers is high.

While the job market for COBOL developers may not be as competitive as other popular programming languages, finding work in this field still requires effort and a strong understanding of COBOL, as well as the ability to adapt to new technology.

However, with the continued importance of COBOL, there are ample opportunities for those who are willing to put in the work to pursue a career in this field.

What subjects will we learn?

Introduction to programming

If you do not have any background or prior knowledge related to computer programming, you will first learn the basic fundamentals of computer programming.

This part is not related to Cobol and is applicable to any programming language.

The basics

The Computer model
The Algorithm
The Flowchart

Flowcharts – Basic symbols

Start
Accept
Display
End
Defining/assigning storage

Flowcharts – Advanced symbols

Complex assignment (Compute)
Conditions – Basic, Complex (AND/OR), Nested
Loops – Numbered, Indexed, Conditioned
Evaluate
Functions
Sort
Initialize

Flowcharts – File Handling

Sequential
Break levels
Adding direct reads

COBOL/400

This part of the course goes beyond simply learning the syntax rules of Cobol – you will learn how to analyze, design and structure solutions to real world problems.

You will implement advanced programming techniques that will enable you to design programs that are easy to understand and maintain, perform better, and will stand the test of time.

Program structure

Columns
Divisions/Sections

Variables I

Basic variable definition
Variable assignment

Procedure Division I

DISPLAY
ACCEPT
MOVE
COMPUTE
EXIT PROGRAM
Compile & Run

Variables II

Negative values
Decimal values
Variable storage methods (ZONED,PACKED,BINARY)
Edit masking
Group items
Levels (01,03…66,77,88)
REDEFINES
Arrays (OCCURS) – Single/multi level

Advanced commands

SEARCH
Subscripting
MOVE by name (CORRESPONDING)
Alternative math functions (ADD,SUBTRACT,DIVIDE BY, MULTIPLY)
INSPECT TALLYING/REPLACING
STRING/UNSTRING

Procedure Division II

Initialize
Conditions – IF, ELSE, END-IF, NEXT SENTENCE, CONTINUE
Tests – IF NUMERIC, VALUE TESTING, AND/OR/NOT logic
PERFORM, INLINE PERFORM, PERFORM VARYING
Getting DATE, TIME, LDA

Files I

INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION definitions – Select/Organization/Access
FILE SECTION definitions – FD file structure
OPEN/CLOSE
READ, READ INTO
WRITE, WRITE FROM
AT END/File Status
Simple sequential read program

Files II

Defining Indexed/Direct Access
INVALID KEY/File Status
Creating and populating reference tables
Checking for record locks

Files III

Sequential read program template
Break level programs
Direct reads
Updates & Deletes

Interactive Screen programming I

Creating a simple screen (DDS)
Creating first screen program template
Defining/using INDICATORS
Using FEEDBACK-AREA, ONTROL-AREA
COPY variations – DD, DDR, DDS, DDSR
Creating “WORK WITH” program (Parent/Child)

Program calls

CALL … USING
LINKAGE SECTION

Print files

Creating print/report programs
Understanding printer queues and spool files

OS/400

A Cobol programmer needs to have a basic understanding of what computer operating systems are, what they do, and how to run Cobol under them.

Cobol, like any computer language, can run under a variety of operating systems, but is found predominantly in large organizations (government, finance, transportation).

Most use very large computers with operating systems made by IBM.

In order to prepare you for the real world, you will learn how to create and run your Cobol programs on a large IBM computer knows as the IBM i, formerly known as the AS/400.

You will learn to use many facets of the operating system together with your Cobol programs to create a complete business application.

Objects

Libraries
Commands
Programs
Files

Database Management

Native DDS (PF, LF)
Source Files
DB2/400
SQL (Interactive, RUNSQLSTM, RUNSQL)
Query/400
File Commands – DSPPFM, DSPFD, DSPFFD, DSPDBR

Work Management

What Is A Job
Job Attributes
WRK*JOB Commands
Batch/Online Jobs
QTEMP
LDA
The Job log
Library list & commands
Subsystems/Job Queues
Submitting/Running Jobs

Development Environment

PDM (WRKMBRPDM, WRKOBJPDM, Functions & Options)
SEU (Functions & Options)
The Edit-Comile-Run Cycle
Debugging
Change Management

The Multi-user Environment

User Profile
Initial Program
Object locks
Messages

DB2/400

Cobol programs can do many things, but they are best known for their exceptional ability to access and process data stored in a Databse Management System.

Data Definition

Create
Drop
Alter
Schema
Tables
Indexes
Collections

Data Manipulation

Insert
Update
Delete
Select (Functions, View, Join)
SELECT statement structure
GROUP BY
ORDER BY
Column Heading Change
Predicates
Select Conditions

Embedded SQL

Host Variables
Using SELECT INTO host variable
Cursor – Declare, Open, Fetch, Close

Advanced

Triggers
Stored Procedures (Result Set/Array)
Scripts
Performance considerations
Transaction (Commit/Rollback)