Want to learn COBOL? Megathread of COBOL Beginner Resources
Want to learn COBOL? Megathread of COBOL Beginner Resources


Megathread for people who want to get started learning COBOL! This list is a working document and will be updated over time.
Feel free to comment with resources you think should be added to this list!
Free Compilers & Extensions
- GnuCOBOL - A free/libre COBOL compiler
- OtterKit - A modern FOSS COBOL compiler
- Learn COBOL - Visual Studio Code Extension
- Visual COBOL Personal Edition - Learn COBOL with Visual Studio or Eclipse
Free Online Training Courses
- Open Mainframe Project - Video materials on IBM Digital Learning Platform, Coursera, Pluralsight, or YouTube
- Micro Focus COBOL Fundamentals - Instructor-led videos, hands-on tutorials, and development tools
- Department of CSIS - COBOL programming tutorials, lectures, exercises, and examples
- Tutorials Point
- Learn COBOL in One Video - YouTube course
- COBOL Programming 101 - YouTube course
Free Books
- Visual COBOL: A Developer's Guide to Modern COBOL
- Visual COBOL: New Application Modernization Tools for the Java Developer