Why Colleges and Universities need a Reintroduction of Cobol in Computer Science Curriculums?
"The future of technology is built on the foundations of the past. It's time to rediscover the enduring value of COBOL and mainframe in the digital age."
-Captain Uday Prasad (Zed-infotech)
The disconnects between academic curricula and industry needs
In an era dominated by cloud-native technologies and agile methodologies, the significance of COBOL and mainframe systems might seem antiquated. However, these foundational technologies continue to underpin critical infrastructure across industries, from finance to government. As the world grapples with a looming skills gap and the increasing complexity of modern systems, it's imperative to revisit the importance of COBOL and mainframe education in computer science curriculums. This write-up will delve into the enduring value of these technologies, exploring their role in contemporary infrastructure, the career opportunities they offer, and the educational benefits they provide.
1. Misconception of Obsolescence
- Perception vs. Reality: One of the key reasons COBOL and mainframe systems aren’t taught in modern computer science curricula is the misconception that these technologies are obsolete. In reality, IBM mainframes still run the majority of mission-critical workloads, particularly in industries such as banking, healthcare, and government. In fact:
- 92 of the top 100 banks, 23 of the top 25 US retailers, and 9 out of 10 of the world’s largest insurance companies rely on IBM mainframes.
- COBOL systems process $3 trillion in daily transactions, emphasizing its relevance in the financial world.
- What needs to change: Computer science education tends to focus on newer languages, assuming older technologies will fade out. However, stability and reliability have kept COBOL and mainframes essential, especially in industries where error tolerance is minimal.
2. Demand-Supply Gap in the Industry
- Skill Shortage: According to IBM, the average age of a COBOL programmer is over 50. Many organizations face a looming talent shortage as these programmers retire. Despite the need, most universities don't teach COBOL or mainframe technologies, leading to a major skills gap.
- In a 2020 survey, more than 70% of enterprise leaders said the retirement of experienced COBOL professionals posed a risk to their operations. However, only 27% of universities in the US teach COBOL or mainframe-related courses.
- How to reverse the trend? To close this skills gap, institutions must recognize the real-world demand for mainframe skills and incorporate them into curricula to offer students valuable job opportunities.
3. Mainframes Aren’t Legacy – They’re Future-Proof
- Modernization through Hybrid Solutions: While many people think of mainframes as purely "legacy" technology, IBM mainframes have evolved to embrace cloud computing, AI, and big data processing. The modern IBM Z systems can run Linux, containerize applications, and integrate with cloud environments, making them highly relevant in the current IT landscape.
- Example: The IBM z15 can handle up to 19 billion encrypted transactions per day, underscoring its ability to handle today’s IT demands.
- What this means: Teaching mainframe and COBOL skills equips students to work on highly secure and scalable platforms that are the backbone of large enterprises and are evolving to meet future challenges.
4. Mainframes and Cybersecurity
- Security Leader: IBM Z mainframes are among the most secure platforms available, with built-in encryption capabilities and near-impenetrable security features. In a world where data breaches are rampant, learning to work with secure systems like mainframes can give students a unique and marketable skill set.
- Stat: IBM Z mainframes have 99.999% uptime and built-in encryption that can protect up to 100% of data.
- Why this matters: In an era where cybersecurity threats are rising, institutions should train students in the most secure systems available to better prepare them for roles in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government, where data protection is critical.
5. Critical System Longevity and Stability
- Decades of Stability: Many mainframe systems have been running without failure for decades, handling everything from bank transactions to flight reservations. Their stability, scalability, and performance make them a backbone for industries that cannot afford downtime or data loss.
- Example: The state of New Jersey’s unemployment system, built in COBOL, handled millions of claims during the pandemic without failure, while other more modern systems buckled under the pressure.
- Real-world value: Schools and colleges should teach students about systems that continue to run the world’s infrastructure and will remain indispensable for many years to come.
6. High-Value Career Opportunities
- High Demand and High Pay: Since COBOL and mainframe skills are increasingly rare but highly sought-after, those who master these skills often command high salaries. Mainframe specialists are hired by some of the largest financial institutions, government agencies, and insurance companies.
- Job market proof: A report from **Burning Glass Technologies
estimated that jobs requiring COBOL and mainframe skills pay between 10-15% more than other programming jobs due to the scarcity of talent.
- Why this matters: Schools and universities that integrate COBOL and mainframe courses can better prepare their students for lucrative career paths that are not as oversaturated as those in other technology fields like web development or mobile app development.
7. Focus on Mission-Critical Systems
- Essential to Global Infrastructure: Mainframes and COBOL power critical systems that affect everyone’s daily life. For example, COBOL is involved in processing 90% of Fortune 500 transactions and supports core banking, airline, and healthcare systems. Without them, modern society would face huge operational disruptions.
- Point of Action: Schools should teach these technologies to ensure that the next generation of IT professionals understands how to maintain and modernize the essential systems that society relies on.
Conclusion: Changing the World’s Opinion
To change the perception that COBOL and mainframes are "outdated," emphasize their real-world impact, security, and ongoing modernization. The absence of mainframe and COBOL education is a missed opportunity for students and industries alike.
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