So just want to start out that I programmed in COBOL using JCL and databases such as VSAM, DBMS, and DB2 databases for 35 years.

I basically ran systems, not just supporting them but also applying updates. Most of these systems gave me access to production code to support.

Worked for GM for a couple years, but most of the time was spent in retail for two major retailers in the Midwest. So let’s focus on them.

Some of the systems that I actually wrote by myself are: Company 1: (12 years)

• Vendor Analysis (wrote letting you know the price of everything being sold)

• behavioral scoring (wrote completely for the company)

• Vision21 billing systems (supported and updated)

  • was the main contact of the 5 systems that we ran

    • when I left, was in middle of update. They dropped it since no one knew anything about the system. Offered me monies to stay, I did not. They had to drop the upgrades

• MSA accounting systems (supported and updated)

  • company went into bankruptcy and produced all financials for the court) Company 2: (20 years)

• Kronos payroll system (wrote by myself for the company and still used)

• Credit system (install with team, could see anyone’s info with this system)

• maintained their billing system, known as the loader. Ran every transaction that went through the stores. This thing was huge as in code.

• back on Kronos, maintained all changes that dealt with taxes. Changes made twice a year depending on what laws changed per state.

So what I remember, these are the major systems I either wrote or vendor packages that I alone supported.

These are just some of the things I worked on. Many other projects such as finding a penny difference in a report that took me 3 days to find in someone’s code. And yes I found it, rounding issue that was going on for years.

Have been retired early for the last 6 years. Totally enjoyed my career. Joined the Air Force so could fund my education which ended up at SIU-Edwardsville with a BS degree.

Unfortunately, my last 4 years at my last company caused me to leave early. This was all due to upper management changes that brought in people that didn’t know what the hell they where doing, but oh yeah the changes worked at there last place. Then you have these people input their changes and end up leavening after their contract is up leavening the place in shambles.

Not missing what is happening today in the world, all was so could when i started, but not sure if I could go back. Am enjoying not dealing with endless meetings and deadlines that are unacceptable.

Just wanted to share my experiences. Know today most programmers don’t code in COBOL, but if working for a bank or insurance company you may. Only the big mainframes are still only able to hand that amount of data.

Anyone else out there that is coding in COBOL?