IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
  PROGRAM-ID. VARS.

  DATA DIVISION.
  *> working storage defines variables
  WORKING-STORAGE SECTION.
  *> define a number with a sign, 3 numbers, a decimal, and then
  *> two numbers aafter the decimal. by default it should be 0 filled
  01 FIRST-VAR PIC S9(3)V9(2).
 *> do the same thing as above but actually initialize
  *> to a number -123.45
  01 SECOND-VAR PIC S9(3)V9(2) VALUE -123.45.
  *> defines an alphabetic string and initialize it to abcdef
   01 THIRD-VAR PIC A(6) VALUE 'ABCDEF'.
  *> define an alphanumeric string and initialize it to a121$
  01 FOURTH-VAR PIC X(5) VALUE 'A121$'.
  *> create a grouped variable
 01 GROUP-VAR.
  05 SUBVAR-1 PIC 9(3) VALUE 337.
 *> create 3 alphanumerics, but use less than
  *> the allocated space for each of them
  05 SUBVAR-2 PIC X(15) VALUE 'LALALALA'.
  05 SUBVAR-3 PIC X(15) VALUE 'LALALA'.
  05 SUBVAR-4 PIC X(15) VALUE 'LALALA'.
  
  *> print our variables
 PROCEDURE DIVISION.
 DISPLAY "1ST VAR :"FIRST-VAR.
  DISPLAY "2ND VAR :"SECOND-VAR.
  DISPLAY "3RD VAR :"THIRD-VAR.
 DISPLAY "4TH VAR :"FOURTH-VAR.
  DISPLAY "GROUP VAR :"GROUP-VAR.
  STOP RUN.

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!