identification division.
       program-id. calculate.

       environment division.

       data division.
       working-storage section.
       01 calmemory      pic s9(9) comp-5 value 0.

       linkage section.
       01 calculator.
          05 arg1        pic s9(19)v9(19) comp-3.
          05 arg2        pic s9(19)v9(19) comp-3.
          05 result      pic s9(19)v9(19) comp-3.
          05 storage     pic s9(19)v9(19) comp-3.

       procedure division.
       exit program.

       entry "add" using calculator.
         move arg1 to result
         add  arg2 to result
         add  result to calmemory
         move calmemory to storage
         exit program.

       entry "subtract" using calculator.
         move arg1 to result
         subtract arg2 from result
         add  result to calmemory
         move calmemory to storage
         exit program.

      entry "multiply" using calculator.
         move arg1 to result
         multiply arg2 by result
         add  result to calmemory
         move calmemory to storage
         exit program.

      entry "divide" using calculator.
         move arg1 to result
         divide arg2 into result
         add  result to calmemory
         move calmemory to storage
         exit program.

COBOL online compiler

Write, Run & Share COBOL code online using OneCompiler's COBOL online compiler for free. It’s a reliable and accessible playground to practice and run COBOL code with ease. The compiler supports classic COBOL syntax and is great for learning, teaching, and experimenting with business logic programs.

About COBOL

COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) is a high-level programming language developed in the 1950s. It is primarily used in business, finance, and administrative systems for companies and governments. COBOL is known for its English-like syntax and is still widely used in legacy enterprise systems.

Sample Code

The following is a simple COBOL program that prints a greeting:

IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. HELLO.
PROCEDURE DIVISION.
    DISPLAY "Hello, OneCompiler!".
    STOP RUN.

Taking inputs

In COBOL, input is typically handled using the ACCEPT keyword. Here’s an example that takes user input and prints it back.

IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
PROGRAM-ID. GREET.
DATA DIVISION.
WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
01 USER-NAME PIC A(30).

PROCEDURE DIVISION.
    DISPLAY "Enter your name: ".
    ACCEPT USER-NAME.
    DISPLAY "Hello, " USER-NAME "!".
    STOP RUN.

Syntax Basics

Program Structure

COBOL programs are divided into four divisions:

  • IDENTIFICATION DIVISION: Program metadata
  • ENVIRONMENT DIVISION: Machine/environment details (optional)
  • DATA DIVISION: Variable declarations
  • PROCEDURE DIVISION: Actual program logic

Variables

Variables are declared in the DATA DIVISION using PIC clauses.

01 AGE        PIC 99.
01 NAME       PIC A(20).
01 SALARY     PIC 9(5)V99.

Displaying and Accepting Data

DISPLAY "Welcome to COBOL!".
ACCEPT USER-INPUT.

Conditional Statements

IF AGE >= 18
    DISPLAY "Eligible to vote."
ELSE
    DISPLAY "Not eligible."
END-IF.

Loops (PERFORM)

PERFORM VARYING I FROM 1 BY 1 UNTIL I > 5
    DISPLAY "Count: " I
END-PERFORM.

This guide provides a quick reference to COBOL programming syntax and features. Start coding in COBOL using OneCompiler’s COBOL online compiler today!