Linux Notes: hello-world-classic.cob

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Edit: 2026-09-25

Back to: Linux Notes: GnuCOBOL

hello-world-classic.cob

Notes:

• Recall that in classic COBOL, remarks begin in column-7 while code begins in column-8
• Also, code must not extend beyond column 72
• These rules come from the days of punched cards which preceded interactive video terminals.

12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234

      *890123456789012345678901234567890
      * file   : hello-world-classic.cob
      * notes  : this is a classic COBOL demo
      * build  : cobc -x hello-world-classic.cob
      * execute: ./hello-world-classic
      * history:
      * when       who what
      * 2023-02-14 NSR original effort
       IDENTIFICATION DIVISION.
       PROGRAM-ID. hello-world-classic.
       PROCEDURE DIVISION.
       DISPLAY "Hello World!".
       STOP RUN.

$ cobc -x hello-world-classic.cob$
$ ./hello-world-classic
Hello World!
$ man cobc
[[[ Linux manual contents are displayed ]]]
$ cobc -help
[[[ help text is displayed ]]]
$ cobc -i
[[[ compiler default flags are displayed ]]]

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Neil Rieck
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.