Java for the COBOL Programmer (SIGS: Advances in Object Technology) Book

When the Y2K crisis winds down, COBOL programmers will look for new ways to apply their skills. Drawing on the numerous similarities between COBOL and Java, Java for the COBOL Programmer teaches Java to professional COBOL programmers. To quicken and simplify the transition from one language to the other, the authors describe the features and syntax of Java while contrasting them with their parallels in COBOL. Although the book assumes an overall familiarity with COBOL, each chapter lists the specific COBOL knowledge required as new material is presented. The book is completely modular, allowing a reader to skip back and forth from one chapter to another, depending on his or her immediate needs. The authors make extensive use of program examples for both COBOL and Java. With each example, they present a COBOL program that performs a certain function and develop a Java program that accomplishes the same task. Sample programs are available on an accompanying CD-ROM. A running case study evolves with increased functionality as new material is presented in subsequent chapters. No other volume uses this approach to teach Java to COBOL programmers.