This course is an introduction to the COBOL programming language. In addition to the basic syntax of the language, the course presents several information systems applications and discusses their solution in COBOL. COBOL is the most widely used language in the business community. New versions of COBOL for Unix and PC's have enhanced its status in the programming world. This class is a combination of lecture, readings, and programming. Students leave the course with an understanding of the COBOL syntax and the data file usage. The instruction emphasizes the importance of design and maintenance as well as coding in developing business applications.