Top 12 Cobol Developer Skills to Put on Your Resume
In today's competitive job market, standing out as a COBOL developer requires more than just a basic understanding of coding. A compelling resume that showcases a well-rounded skill set, combining both technical prowess and soft skills, is essential for catching the eye of potential employers and securing your position in the evolving landscape of legacy system maintenance and development.
Cobol Developer Skills
1. COBOL
COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) is a high-level programming language designed primarily for business, finance, and administrative systems for companies and governments. It is known for its readability, simplicity, and robustness, making it widely used in legacy systems that require high levels of data processing.
Why It's Important
COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) is important because it underpins critical financial, administrative, and business systems worldwide, including banks, insurance companies, and government operations. As a COBOL developer, mastering this language enables you to maintain, update, and enhance these vital systems, ensuring their reliability and efficiency in processing vast amounts of data daily.
How to Improve COBOL Skills
Improving your COBOL skills involves both refining your understanding of the language and adopting best practices in your development process. Here's a short guide to help you enhance your COBOL prowess:
Master the Basics: Ensure you have a strong grasp of COBOL fundamentals. IBM's COBOL Programming with VSCode offers a modern take on writing and understanding COBOL code.
Understand Modern COBOL: Familiarize yourself with the latest features and improvements. The GnuCOBOL FAQ is a great resource for both newcomers and experienced developers.
Adopt Best Practices: Learn from the collective wisdom of experienced COBOL programmers. Check out Micro Focus COBOL Best Practices for guidelines on writing efficient and maintainable code.
Leverage Modern Development Tools: Incorporate modern IDEs and tools into your workflow for better productivity. IBM's guide on Developing COBOL applications with VS Code demonstrates how to use contemporary tools for COBOL development.
Practice Regularly: Like any skill, proficiency in COBOL comes with practice. Consider contributing to open-source COBOL projects or solving problems on platforms such as Exercism's COBOL Track to sharpen your skills.
By following these tips and continuously seeking to update your knowledge, you can significantly improve your COBOL development skills.
How to Display COBOL Skills on Your Resume
2. JCL
JCL (Job Control Language) is a scripting language used on IBM mainframe systems to instruct the system on how to run batch jobs or start subsystems, essential for executing COBOL programs and handling data files in mainframe environments.
Why It's Important
JCL (Job Control Language) is crucial for COBOL developers because it specifies how to execute COBOL programs, including data input/output, runtime environment setup, and resource allocation, thereby controlling batch processing and ensuring efficient program operation on mainframe systems.
How to Improve JCL Skills
Improving JCL (Job Control Language) as a COBOL developer involves enhancing efficiency, readability, and maintainability of batch job scripts. Here are concise tips:
Use Consistent Naming Conventions: Employ meaningful and consistent naming for datasets and job steps to improve clarity and maintenance. IBM Naming Conventions.
Optimize Space Allocation: Properly estimate and specify dataset sizes to prevent waste and ensure performance. Utilize space parameters (SPACE) effectively. Space Allocation.
Leverage Latest Features: Stay updated with and implement the latest JCL features and utilities for efficiency. IBM What's New.
Modularize JCL Scripts: Break down complex JCLs into simpler, reusable modules or procedures (PROCs) for better manageability. Using Procedures.
Utilize Conditional Processing: Employ conditional operators (COND) and IF/THEN/ELSE constructs to control job flow, reducing the need for manual intervention. Conditional Processing.
Implement Error Handling: Anticipate and code for possible errors or abends to ensure job resilience and easier debugging. Error Handling.
Review and Optimize Performance: Regularly review job performance. Adjust priorities (CLASS, PRTY) and resources (REGION) as necessary for optimal execution. Performance Tuning.
Keep Documentation Up-to-Date: Document changes and provide inline comments for critical or complex JCL sections to aid in future understanding and modifications. Best Practices.
Continuously Learn and Apply Best Practices: Engage with the COBOL and JCL developer community for shared knowledge and best practices. IBM z/OS Internet Library.
By focusing on these areas, COBOL developers can significantly improve JCL scripts, leading to more efficient, reliable, and maintainable batch processing.
How to Display JCL Skills on Your Resume
3. DB2
DB2 is a high-performance, enterprise-grade relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by IBM, commonly used for storing, retrieving, and managing large volumes of data. For a COBOL developer, it serves as a robust backend database system that can be accessed and manipulated through COBOL applications using SQL queries for data processing and analysis.
Why It's Important
For a COBOL developer, DB2 is important because it provides a robust, high-performance database management system that integrates seamlessly with COBOL applications, enabling efficient data storage, retrieval, and manipulation essential for business-critical operations.
How to Improve DB2 Skills
Improving DB2 performance, especially from a COBOL developer's perspective, involves optimizing both the database design and the COBOL-DB2 interaction. Here are concise strategies:
SQL Optimization: Write efficient SQL queries. Use EXPLAIN to analyze query performance and tweak accordingly. IBM EXPLAIN guideline
Index Usage: Properly design and utilize indexes to speed up data retrieval. Index design tips
Data Clustering: Arrange data to minimize I/O operations. Consider clustering tables based on access patterns. Clustering data
Bind Parameters: Use optimal bind parameters for packages and plans. Binding with the right isolation level and RELEASE clause can impact performance. Binding packages
Memory Management: Allocate sufficient memory for buffer pools to reduce physical I/O. Buffer pool tuning
Row and Table Locking: Minimize locking contention by understanding and choosing the appropriate locking level and duration. Locking levels
COBOL-DB2 Integration: Efficiently use COBOL-DB2 precompiler options, and ensure your COBOL programs handle cursors and transactions effectively. Precompiler options
Regular Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance tasks like REORG, RUNSTATS, and REBIND to maintain database health. Database maintenance
Adapting these strategies should lead to noticeable improvements in DB2 performance for COBOL applications.
How to Display DB2 Skills on Your Resume
4. CICS
CICS (Customer Information Control System) is a transaction processing system designed for rapid, high-volume online processing. It provides a multi-threaded execution environment for COBOL programs to handle large numbers of transactions, ensuring data integrity and optimizing resource usage in enterprise computing environments.
Why It's Important
CICS (Customer Information Control System) is crucial for a COBOL developer as it provides a robust, scalable transaction processing platform for developing and running highly responsive, mission-critical COBOL applications in large-scale enterprise environments, enabling efficient management of online transactions.
How to Improve CICS Skills
Improving CICS (Customer Information Control System) involves enhancing performance, security, and developer productivity. As a COBOL developer, here are concise strategies to consider:
Optimize Application Design: Focus on efficient program design. Use efficient data structures and minimize the use of temporary storage (TS) queues and transient data (TD) queues where possible.
Efficient Use of Resources: Reuse existing connections and minimize the use of resources like files and databases. Optimize DB2 access by using appropriate indexes and query optimization techniques.
Concurrency and Parallelism: Design applications to support concurrent processing. Utilize CICS facilities like the MRO (Multi-Region Operation) for scaling applications.
Update and Modernize Tools: Use the latest COBOL compilers and CICS Transaction Server versions for better optimization and new features. IBM regularly updates COBOL and CICS with performance enhancements and new capabilities.
Monitor and Tune Performance: Regularly monitor application performance using tools like CICS Performance Analyzer. Identify bottlenecks and optimize code, considering CPU usage and response times.
Security Best Practices: Implement the latest security guidelines and encryption techniques to protect data. Utilize CICS security features for authentication and authorization.
Leverage CICS APIs: Use CICS APIs for integrating with other applications and services, enhancing functionality and interoperability.
Continuous Learning and Best Practices: Stay updated with the latest CICS features and best practices. IBM's CICS Developer Center is a valuable resource.
Automate Testing and Deployment: Implement CI/CD pipelines for CICS applications to streamline testing and deployment processes. This enhances quality and reduces manual effort.
Collaborate and Share Knowledge: Engage with the CICS community through forums and social media. Sharing experiences and solutions can provide insights and innovations.
By focusing on these areas, a COBOL developer can significantly improve the efficiency, reliability, and security of CICS applications.
How to Display CICS Skills on Your Resume
5. VSAM
VSAM (Virtual Storage Access Method) is a file storage access method used in IBM mainframes, allowing COBOL developers to define, manage, and access datasets more efficiently for large-scale and high-performance applications.
Why It's Important
VSAM (Virtual Storage Access Method) is important for a COBOL developer because it provides an efficient means to store, access, and manage large volumes of data in indexed, sequential, or relative organization, directly supporting COBOL’s data processing capabilities and enhancing application performance and data integrity.
How to Improve VSAM Skills
Improving VSAM performance and efficiency involves several strategies tailored for a COBOL developer. Here are concise pointers:
Optimize Access Paths: Use indexed access paths efficiently by aligning them with your application's access patterns to reduce I/O operations.
Buffer Tuning: Adjust buffer space allocations in your JCL or via system parameters to optimize data retrieval and updates.
Record Level Sharing (RLS): Implement RLS for concurrent data access, improving multi-user access performance.
Data Compression: Utilize VSAM data compression to reduce disk space usage and potentially improve I/O performance for large records.
Reorganize Files Regularly: Periodically reorganize VSAM files to maintain optimal performance, especially after significant updates or deletions.
Use Appropriate SHAREOPTIONS: Configure SHAREOPTIONS properly to balance the need for data integrity against performance for concurrent access.
Efficient COBOL Coding: Write COBOL code that efficiently handles VSAM operations, such as minimizing START and STOP commands and using the READ with KEY is START and NEXT strategies for sequential access within a range.
For in-depth exploration and understanding, refer to IBM's official documentation and resources tailored for VSAM and COBOL development.
How to Display VSAM Skills on Your Resume
6. IMS DB/DC
IMS DB/DC (Information Management System Database/Data Communications) is a hierarchical database and transaction processing system. For a COBOL developer, it serves as a platform for accessing, updating, and managing data structured in a hierarchical model, and for developing applications that interact with this data, typically in mainframe environments. IMS DB provides the database management capabilities, while IMS DC handles the online transaction processing, enabling COBOL applications to perform high-volume and complex data transactions efficiently.
Why It's Important
IMS DB/DC is important for a COBOL developer because it provides a robust and efficient hierarchical database and transaction management system, enabling the development and deployment of high-volume, mission-critical applications, particularly in industries like banking, insurance, and manufacturing.
How to Improve IMS DB/DC Skills
Improving IMS DB/DC involves several strategies focused on optimizing database design, efficient coding practices, and leveraging IMS features. Here's a concise guide for a COBOL developer:
Optimize Database Design:
- Normalize Data: Ensure that your database design minimizes redundancy without sacrificing the performance of your applications. IBM Guide to IMS Database Design.
- Use Secondary Indexes Wisely: Create secondary indexes for frequently accessed data not identified by the primary key but avoid overusing them, as they can degrade insert and delete performance. IMS Indexing Strategies.
Efficient Coding Practices:
- Optimize Data Access: Use the most efficient access methods (Get Unique, Get Next, etc.) and ensure proper segment selection to minimize I/O operations. IBM IMS Calls and Processing Options.
- Use Native SQL: When accessing IMS databases, consider using native SQL for improved readability and potentially better optimization by the compiler. IMS and SQL Integration.
Leverage IMS Features:
- Parallel Processing: Utilize parallel processing capabilities of IMS for data-intensive operations to improve performance. IMS Parallel Processing.
- Compression: Use IMS compression features to reduce the size of the database, improving I/O efficiency and saving storage. IMS Data Compression.
Performance Monitoring and Tuning:
- Regularly monitor your IMS system's performance using tools like IBM IMS Performance Analyzer. Identify bottlenecks and adjust database or application parameters as needed. IMS Performance Tools.
Continuous Learning:
- Stay updated with the latest IMS features and best practices through IBM's official documentation and resources. IBM IMS Documentation.
By focusing on these areas, a COBOL developer can significantly improve the performance and efficiency of IMS DB/DC applications.
How to Display IMS DB/DC Skills on Your Resume
7. SQL
SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standardized programming language used for managing and manipulating relational databases, allowing for data querying, updating, and management, essential for integrating database functionality into COBOL applications.
Why It's Important
SQL is important for a Cobol developer as it enables efficient data manipulation and retrieval from relational databases, essential for integrating modern database capabilities into legacy Cobol applications.
How to Improve SQL Skills
Improving your SQL skills, especially coming from a COBOL background, involves understanding relational database concepts and practicing SQL queries. Here are concise steps and resources:
Learn SQL Basics: Start with SQL syntax, data types, and basic queries (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE).
Understand Relational Databases: Grasp how tables relate to each other through primary and foreign keys.
- Relational Database Concepts for Beginners
Practice Advanced Queries: Dive into JOINs, subqueries, and aggregate functions to manipulate and retrieve data efficiently.
Optimize SQL Performance: Learn indexing, query optimization techniques, and explain plans.
Work on Real Projects: Apply your skills on actual databases or open-source projects to tackle real-life problems.
- GitHub (Search for projects requiring database help)
Explore COBOL-SQL Integration: Understand how to leverage SQL within COBOL applications for data management.
- Pro*COBOL Programmer's Guide
Remember, consistent practice and applying what you learn in projects will significantly enhance your SQL skills.
How to Display SQL Skills on Your Resume
8. Mainframe
A mainframe is a powerful, large-scale computer designed for processing and managing vast amounts of data and high-volume transactions. For a COBOL developer, it serves as the primary platform for developing, running, and maintaining COBOL applications used in business, finance, and administrative systems for large enterprises.
Why It's Important
Mainframes are crucial for COBOL developers as they provide a robust, secure, and high-performance environment for running large-scale, mission-critical applications often written in COBOL, widely used in finance, government, and insurance sectors.
How to Improve Mainframe Skills
Improving mainframe performance and efficiency as a COBOL developer involves several strategies, focused on optimizing code, leveraging new tools, and integrating modern practices. Here's a concise guide:
Code Optimization:
- Streamline COBOL code by using efficient data structures and minimizing I/O operations. Focus on optimizing critical sections of the code that are executed frequently.
Modernization:
- Embrace modern development tools and practices. Tools like IBM Developer for z Systems facilitate modern IDE features, improving code quality and developer productivity.
Parallel Processing:
- Utilize parallel processing capabilities of the mainframe to distribute workload and reduce execution time. Implementing multi-threading in COBOL can be advantageous for performance.
Batch Processing Optimization:
- Optimize batch jobs for better resource utilization. Employ techniques such as job splitting and prioritizing critical jobs to improve throughput.
Leverage High-Level Languages:
- Integrate COBOL with high-level languages like Java or Python for tasks that may be more efficiently handled outside COBOL. This approach can also facilitate easier integration with modern applications and services.
Database Optimization:
- Optimize database access and queries. Efficient use of indexes and avoiding unnecessary data fetching can significantly improve performance.
Performance Monitoring and Tuning:
- Regularly monitor system performance using tools like IBM Z Performance Monitoring. Identify bottlenecks and tune the system accordingly.
Education and Training:
- Stay updated with the latest COBOL and mainframe developments. Resources like IBM Training and COBOL Programming Courses on Coursera can be very helpful.
By focusing on these areas, a COBOL developer can significantly contribute to improving mainframe performance and efficiency.
How to Display Mainframe Skills on Your Resume
9. TSO/ISPF
TSO (Time Sharing Option) is an interactive environment on IBM mainframes allowing users to execute commands, run programs, and manage files. ISPF (Interactive System Productivity Facility) is a user interface running on TSO, providing developers with a menu-driven system for editing code, managing datasets, and performing other development tasks. For a COBOL developer, TSO/ISPF serves as a primary development and debugging environment for writing, testing, and maintaining COBOL programs on mainframe systems.
Why It's Important
TSO/ISPF is crucial for a COBOL developer because it provides a comprehensive development environment on IBM mainframes, facilitating efficient code editing, management, and testing of COBOL programs, significantly enhancing productivity and streamlining workflows.
How to Improve TSO/ISPF Skills
Improving TSO/ISPF efficiency for a COBOL developer involves enhancing navigation, editing, and programming productivity. Here are concise tips:
Learn Keyboard Shortcuts: Mastering ISPF keyboard shortcuts can significantly speed up your work. IBM's ISPF Keyboard Shortcuts guide is an essential resource.
Customize ISPF Settings: Tailor your ISPF environment for better comfort and efficiency. This includes setting up your preferred editor settings, colors, and screen layout. The ISPF Customization guide provides detailed instructions.
Use ISPF Macros: Automate repetitive tasks by writing or using existing ISPF macros. This can significantly speed up editing COBOL code. IBM’s guide on Creating and Using ISPF Macros can get you started.
Leverage File Tailoring: Use ISPF File Tailoring (skeletons) to generate often-needed code structures or JCL, saving time on boilerplate code. Explore ISPF File Tailoring for detailed information.
Optimize Dataset Searches: Become proficient in using the ISPF Search utility to quickly find and edit instances of code across multiple datasets. The ISPF Search Utility guide explains the functionality.
Study Efficient COBOL Coding Practices: While not ISPF-specific, improving your COBOL coding efficiency can have a positive impact on your overall productivity. IBM’s Enterprise COBOL Documentation is an invaluable resource.
Use the ISPF Text Editor Effectively: Understanding advanced features of the ISPF editor can greatly enhance your coding efficiency. Refer to The ISPF Text Editor for advanced editing techniques.
Participate in Forums and Communities: Engage with other COBOL and ISPF users in forums and communities. Sharing experiences and solutions can provide new insights and shortcuts. IBM Mainframe Community is a good place to start.
By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve your productivity and efficiency as a COBOL developer using TSO/ISPF.
How to Display TSO/ISPF Skills on Your Resume
10. PL/I
PL/I (Programming Language One) is a high-level programming language designed for engineering, scientific, and business applications. For a COBOL developer, think of PL/I as a versatile language that combines COBOL's business data processing capabilities with the scientific computing features of FORTRAN, plus additional constructs for systems programming, offering a broader range of applications.
Why It's Important
PL/I is important because it integrates procedural, imperative, and data manipulation features, offering a more versatile programming approach compared to COBOL, which is primarily focused on business data processing. This makes PL/I suitable for a wider range of applications, including system programming and scientific computing, thus providing a COBOL developer with a broader skill set and more flexibility in tackling diverse programming challenges.
How to Improve PL/I Skills
Improving your skills in PL/I (Programming Language One), especially coming from a COBOL background, involves understanding the similarities and differences between the two languages, and leveraging resources that bridge that gap. Here's a concise guide:
Understand PL/I Basics: Familiarize yourself with PL/I's syntax and structure, which is more flexible and extensive than COBOL's. Start with IBM's PL/I overview for a solid foundation.
Leverage COBOL Knowledge: Both languages are procedural and designed for business applications, so your understanding of data processing and file handling in COBOL gives you a head start. Focus on differences, such as PL/I's built-in string handling and dynamic arrays.
Practical Exercises: Apply what you learn by solving problems. Websites like RexxLA offer resources and challenges that can be adapted for PL/I practice.
Use IBM Documentation: IBM's comprehensive PL/I documentation is invaluable for in-depth understanding and solving specific programming challenges.
Join Forums and Communities: Engage with other developers. Platforms like Stack Overflow can offer insights and solutions to common hurdles.
Explore Advanced Topics: Once comfortable, delve into more complex PL/I features that COBOL might lack, such as pointers, structured programming, and recursion. IBM's advanced topics guide is a good starting point.
Practical Application: Try converting some of your COBOL programs to PL/I or start a new project in PL/I. This hands-on approach solidifies learning and highlights the practical differences and advantages of PL/I.
Remember, transitioning from COBOL to PL/I is a step-by-step process. Leveraging your existing knowledge while systematically exploring PL/I's unique features will make this journey more efficient and enjoyable.
How to Display PL/I Skills on Your Resume
11. REXX
REXX (Restructured Extended Executor) is a high-level programming language designed for ease of learning and reading, primarily used for scripting and processing data and text. For a COBOL developer, REXX can serve as a versatile tool for scripting and automating tasks in both mainframe and distributed computing environments, complementing COBOL's strengths in business and finance computing.
Why It's Important
REXX is important for a COBOL developer because it offers a versatile scripting language for automating tasks, simplifying complex operations, and enhancing productivity in mainframe environments where COBOL is prevalent.
How to Improve REXX Skills
Improving your REXX programming skills, especially coming from a COBOL background, involves understanding REXX's unique features, its simplicity in string manipulation, and its interpretive nature. Here's a concise guide to get you started:
Understand REXX Syntax and Structure: REXX has a simpler syntax compared to COBOL. Begin by familiarizing yourself with its basic syntax, especially how it handles variables, loops, and conditionals. The REXX Language Association provides resources and standards that can be helpful.
Leverage String Manipulation Features: REXX excels at string handling. Explore its built-in functions for string manipulation, which are more straightforward than in COBOL. The REXX Programming wikibook is a practical resource for learning these functions.
Practice Writing and Reading REXX Scripts: The best way to improve is by practice. Write small REXX scripts to perform tasks you're familiar with in COBOL. Additionally, read existing REXX code to understand different approaches to problem-solving. Websites like RexxInfo offer examples and tutorials.
Explore REXX's Built-in Functions: REXX comes with a rich set of built-in functions that can perform a variety of tasks more efficiently than their COBOL counterparts. Familiarize yourself with these to make your scripts more efficient. Refer to the official IBM REXX documentation for a comprehensive list of functions.
Integrate REXX with COBOL: As a COBOL developer, leveraging REXX for preprocessing or automation tasks can enhance your productivity. Explore how REXX can call COBOL programs and vice versa. This integration can significantly streamline your workflows. The IBM Knowledge Center provides guides and examples on integrating REXX with COBOL.
Join REXX Communities: Engage with other REXX and COBOL developers through forums and online communities. This can provide you with insights, tips, and shortcuts that are not readily available in official documentation. The REXX Language Association Forum is a good place to start.
By focusing on these areas, you can effectively improve your REXX programming skills, leveraging your COBOL experience to quickly adapt to and excel in using REXX.
How to Display REXX Skills on Your Resume
12. Z/OS
Z/OS is a high-performance, secure, and scalable 64-bit operating system designed by IBM for its mainframe computers. For a COBOL developer, it serves as the primary operating environment to develop, compile, and execute COBOL applications, providing essential services like access to databases, file systems, and transaction processing.
Why It's Important
For a COBOL developer, z/OS is crucial because it provides a robust, high-performance, and secure operating system environment optimized for running large-scale, mission-critical COBOL applications commonly found in banking, finance, and government sectors.
How to Improve Z/OS Skills
To improve your Z/OS environment as a COBOL developer, focus on these areas:
Optimization: Enhance your COBOL programs for better performance. IBM's Performance Tuning Guide offers insights on optimizing COBOL and Z/OS resources.
Modernization: Integrate modern development tools and practices. The IBM Z Open Development tool encourages a more agile development process by supporting modern editors and debugging tools.
Version Control: Implement version control using tools like Git. Git for z/OS can be found in the Rocket Software Git for IBM z/OS offering.
Automation: Automate testing and deployment processes. Explore IBM Z Development and Test Environment to create a more efficient CI/CD pipeline.
Learning and Collaboration: Stay updated with the latest in COBOL and Z/OS through communities and forums. IBM Developer COBOL offers a wealth of resources, including tutorials and forums for collaboration.
By focusing on these areas, you can enhance both your productivity and the performance of your applications on Z/OS.
How to Display Z/OS Skills on Your Resume
