Compared to more modern programming languages such as Visual Basic, C#, C++ and Java, how does Cobol rate for these characteristics:
| Function | Much better/ Somewhat better | About the same | Worse/ Much worse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Batch processing | 82% | 12% | 4% |
| Transaction processing | 65% | 24% | 9% |
| Handling business-oriented features | 55% | 21% | 19% |
| Run-time efficiency | 54% | 33% | 8% |
| Security | 39% | 38% | 15% |
| Reporting | 45% | 37% | 17% |
| Development cost | 39% | 32% | 17% |
| Maintenance cost | 43% | 29% | 18% |
| Ability to hire programmers | 13% | 25% | 55% |
| Agility | 15% | 33% | 45% |
What is your organization's level of interest in outsourcing Cobol development, either onshore or offshore?
Not interested: 81%
Currently outsourcing: 12%
Interested: 7%
Base: 131 IT professionals
What is your organization's level of interest in outsourcing Cobol maintenance, either onshore or offshore?
Not interested: 73%
Currently outsourcing: 18%
Interested: 9%
Base: 131 IT professionals
Are you noticing a shortage of Cobol skills in the labor market?
Yes: 46%
No: 23%
Not yet, but expect to see it within five years: 22%
Don't know: 9%
Base: 99 IT professionals
Is it difficult to motivate your staff to use Cobol?
Yes: 28%
No: 59%
Don't know: 5%
We don't ask them to use Cobol: 8%
Base: 131 IT professionals
What's the average age of your current, in-house Cobol programmers?
25-35 years old: 2%
35-45: 21%
45-55: 50%
55+: 22%
We don't have any Cobol programmers: 1%
Don't know: 4%
Base: 131 IT professionals
What's the average age of Cobol programmers hired by your company in the past 12 months?
25-35 years old: 8%
35-45: 11%
45-55: 15%
55+: 5%
We haven't hired a Cobol programmer recently: 55%
Don't know: 6%
Base: 131 IT professionals
Which of the following best describes your organization's primary business or industry?
Computer services: 12%
State/local government: 11%
Finance: 9%
Insurance: 8%
Manufacturing (noncomputer): 8%
Wholesale/retail trade: 7%
Education: 5%
Health/medical services: 5%
Base: 212 IT professionals; not all responses reflected
Next: Brain Drain: Where Cobol Systems Go From Here