# Cobol Programming Language — Learning to Code with Cobol > COBOL programming language learning and practice tool for iOS devices. (iPhone/iPad app by Anastasia Kovba.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cobol-programming-language/id500471706 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Anastasia Kovba](https://appshunter.io/developer/1501308821) - Category: Reference, Utilities - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 3.29/5 from 7 App Store ratings · 17 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 17+ - Requires: iOS 12.0 · 1 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2012-05-18 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cobol-programming-language/id500471706/reviews.md ## What is Cobol Programming Language? The classic Cobol programming language for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Programming language is a perfect tool for studying, complex mathematical calculation, entertainment and many other useful tasks. The application is especially useful for learning the Cobol programming language. You have to buy compilations inside the application. Internet connection is required. - The great programming tool on the AppStore. - Your programming language for iOS is amazing! * FEATURES * - Compile and run your program. - Text input before program run and text output. - Enhanced source code editor with syntax highlighting, line numbers, color themes and additional keyboard. - Online language reference and several program samples. * LIMITATIONS * - Internet connection is required to compile and run a program. - Graphics, network, file system and real-time input are not supported. - Maximum running time of a program is 15 seconds. Thanks for using the application! ==================================== Cobol is one of the oldest programming languages. Its name is an acronym for COmmon Business-Oriented Language, defining its primary domain in business, finance, and administrative systems for companies and governments. The Cobol specification was created by a committee of researchers from private industry, universities, and government during the second half of 1959. The specifications were to a great extent inspired by the FLOW-MATIC language invented by Grace Hopper - commonly referred to as "the mother of the Cobol language." The IBM COMTRAN language invented by Bob Bemer was also drawn upon, but the FACT language specification from Honeywell was not distributed to committee members until late in the process and had relatively little impact. FLOW-MATIC's status as the only language of the bunch to have actually been implemented made it particularly attractive to the committee. The scene was set on April 8, 1959 at a meeting of computer manufacturers, users, and university people at the University of Pennsylvania Computing Center. The United States Department of Defense subsequently agreed to sponsor and oversee the next activities. A meeting chaired by Charles A. Phillips was held at the Pentagon on May 28 and 29 of 1959 (exactly one year after the Zürich ALGOL 58 meeting); there it was decided to set up three committees: short, intermediate and long range (the last one was never actually formed). It was the Short Range Committee, chaired by Joseph Wegstein of the US National Bureau of Standards, that during the following months created a description of the first version of Cobol. The committee was formed to recommend a short range approach to a common business language. The committee was made up of members representing six computer manufacturers and three government agencies. The decision to use the name "Cobol" was made at a meeting of the committee held on 18 September 1959. The subcommittee completed the specifications for Cobol in December 1959. The first compilers for Cobol were subsequently implemented in 1960, and on December 6 and 7, essentially the same Cobol program ran on two different computer makes, an RCA computer and a Remington-Rand Univac computer, demonstrating that compatibility could be achieved. ## Key features - Compile and run COBOL programs - Enhanced source code editor - Syntax highlighting - Online language reference - Program samples ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | 100 Compilations for Cobol Programming Language | $0.99 | one-time | | Unlimited Compilations for Cobol Programming Language | $2.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (10 of 17) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cobol-programming-language/id500471706/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Language Reference? *2023-08-21* I’m trying to find the reference for this language. It is important to know what is SUPPOSED to work. For example. Is RANDOM (1) supported? The app’s links do not tell. If I’ve guessed right, it Seems like a reasonable compiler. ### 2/5 — Works but… *2022-09-10, version 13.0* Works fine, compiles code and runs for practice, but you get 1 compile for free then it wants to charge you per compile. Stupid ### 5/5 — Very Useful *2021-10-17, version 13.0* Extremely thorough and useful app for getting started with COBOL. Very impressed. 990 page PDF doc included in the app with tremendous documentation. ### 4/5 — Well worth £2.99 for unlimited compilations *2020-11-01* Recreational COBOL only, it has a couple of major limitations that confine it to recreational: 1. absence of an interactive mode 2. No files. But this shouldn’t put you off, the level of functionality is well worth the small fee for unlimited compilations and hours of fun! ### 2/5 — What’s the point of this app? *2020-07-20, version 13.0* Not sure what the point of this app is ### 5/5 — Thank you so much! Needed this for a job *2020-01-09, version 13.0* You guys are LOVED & appreciated. honorable scholars! ### 4/5 — Thank you for fixing the quotation issues! *2019-02-16, version 11.1* Thank you for fixing the quotation issues! ### 1/5 — Love and hate *2017-05-06, version 9.4* The compiler is nice, but having to input the data every time I need a different program is a pain. Not being able input data and save it makes the program next to useless in a real world environment. I work in places where there is no wifi, internet connection. I am not able to use compiled programs, since each program must be re-compiled to be able to use. I love COBOL, and need to have multiple data files, and do keyboard input while the program is running. ### 5/5 — Love it *2017-04-06, version 9.4* Love the app but not sure if MOVE is supported. Doesn't tell me if cobol.65 supports it. ### 1/5 — DO NOT BUY *2017-01-31, version 9.4* Makes you pay for your first compilation. 0/10 do NOT reccommend. **Developer response:** You can compile sample program for free. ## Frequently asked questions about Cobol Programming Language ### Does Cobol Programming Language have ads? No, Cobol Programming Language does not contain advertisements. ### What is the price of Cobol Programming Language? Cobol Programming Language is free to download and use. However, it does offer in-app purchases for compilations. ### What devices does Cobol Programming Language support? Cobol Programming Language is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices. ### What is the age rating for Cobol Programming Language? Cobol Programming Language has an age rating of 17+, indicating mature content or themes. ### How often is Cobol Programming Language updated? The latest version, 13.0, was released on November 8, 2019. The app was initially released on May 18, 2012. ### Can I use Cobol Programming Language offline? No, an internet connection is required to compile and run programs within Cobol Programming Language. ### What are the limitations of Cobol Programming Language? Graphics, network, file system, and real-time input are not supported. Programs have a maximum running time of 15 seconds. ### What is the user rating for Cobol Programming Language? Cobol Programming Language has a rating of 3.3 stars from 7 ratings, suggesting a mixed user reception. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 13.0 — 2019-11-08 Added iOS 13 support. ### 12.0 — 2019-03-02 Fixed "Bad server response" error. ### 11.1 — 2017-12-11 Fixed issue with quotation marks on iOS 11 Added support of iPhone X ### 9.4 — 2016-07-12 Fixed issues with hardware keyboard. ### 7.4 — 2015-03-21 Full support of iOS 8, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. New design of the app icons. Auto indentation was added to the source code editor. ## Apps similar to Cobol Programming Language | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [z/Reference](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zreference/id731406630) | 4.0 (1) | Free | Reference | | [z/JCL](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zjcl/id754477888) | 2.5 (2) | Free | Reference | ## More apps by Anastasia Kovba - [Pascal Programming Language](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pascal-programming-language/id461310295) - [Visual Basic Language](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/visual-basic-language/id461322183) - [C++ Programming Language Pro](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/c-plus-plus-programming-language-pro/id461327665) - [Obj-C Programming Language](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/obj-c-programming-language/id486204866) - [JVM Programming Language](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jvm-programming-language/id486207896) - [C# Programming Language](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/c-programming-language/id486208408) All apps by Anastasia Kovba: https://appshunter.io/developer/1501308821 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*