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COBOLScript

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Description #

COBOLScript is an interpreted scripting variant of COBOL designed for use in web development and server-side scripting, blending COBOL syntax with web capabilities similar to PHP or ASP.

History #

COBOLScript emerged in the late 1990s as an experimental attempt to modernize COBOL for the web. Developed by Matthew Dean and a team at Deskware, it allowed COBOL-style code to run within HTML pages and web applications, primarily for business backends.

Hello World Code #

<HTML>
<HEAD><TITLE>Hello COBOLScript</TITLE></HEAD>
<BODY>
<%
DISPLAY "Hello, World!".
%>
</BODY>
</HTML>

How to Run #

Option 1: Online
Currently, no active online runners support COBOLScript.

Option 2: Local
COBOLScript is discontinued and unsupported on modern systems. For a similar experience:

Command (for traditional COBOL):

cobc -x hello.cob
./hello

Key Concepts #

  • COBOL syntax embedded in HTML
  • Interpreted server-side like PHP
  • Aimed to modernize COBOL for the web
  • Focused on legacy enterprise systems
  • Limited support and adoption
  • Designed with business logic readability
  • Early attempt to bring COBOL to the internet
  • No strict typing for web variables
  • Used <% %> delimiters for embedded code
  • Targeted COBOL developers transitioning to the web

Try It Online #

(Not available — COBOLScript is obsolete)

Fun Facts #

  • COBOLScript tried to bridge the gap between legacy COBOL systems and modern web technologies during the early internet era.
  • Its syntax was a hybrid of COBOL and classic ASP-style scripting.
  • It never gained traction and is now a historical footnote in language evolution.

Resources #

Deskware (archived)
COBOLScript Press Release (1999)
GnuCOBOL on SourceForge
COBOLScript Sample (Archived)

Updated on June 10, 2025

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