Explains COBOL as it exists in the new ANSI standard. Designed for advanced programmers, it eases the transition from general programming training to the programming done in business applications using COBOL. Through hundreds of practical examples, it explores the intricacies of COBOL without spending a lot of time on basic computer concepts. With an emphasis on cross-system application and development, it describes both IBM's VS COBOL II for the mainframe environment and Microsoft's COBOL for the personal computer.

The classic guide to programming in COBOL-updated, expanded, and even more user-friendly than before Advanced Cobol, Third Edition For many years, Gary Brown's classic guide to advanced COBOL has been the on-the-job reference of choice for experienced COBOL programmers internationally. Without compromising on any of the outstanding features that made it so successful, this Third Edition has been updated and expanded to reflect all the important new trends and applications in COBOL programming. Packed with dozens of concise examples illustrating language features, and featuring several complete programs, this indispensable working resource arms you with practical coverage of: * All essential COBOL terms, concepts, and statements * COBOL programming solutions to the Y2K problem * Full Screen terminal support, subprograms and functions, and COBOL Report Writer * Items in proposed new ANSI Standard * Object-oriented COBOL * Obsolete statements and how to work around them * COBOL for client/server and distributed computing * Cross-system development * Application programming interfaces Wiley Computer Publishing. Timely. Practical. Reliable. Visit our Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks/

This book teaches students to design programs that are easy to read, debug, modify and maintain, and to write well-designed, elementary to advanced structured COBOL programs in their entirety. It familiarizes students with programming tools such as pseudocode and hierarchy charts that make programming more structured. COBOL 85 has been fully integrated into the text, including new ANSI-approved features, and systems analysis and database design concepts such as data validation, error control procedures, file and report design, and screen layout are described in detail. In addition, the text now features a COBOL syntax reference guide that allows hands-on training at terminals and PCs.