This is a list of software and programming tools for the COBOL programming language, which includes compilers, IDEs, build tools, testing, frameworks, and related projects.

Compilers and runtimes

  • Fujitsu NetCOBOL — COBOL compiler for Windows, Linux, and mainframes
  • GnuCOBOL — open-source COBOL compiler translating COBOL to C and then compiling with GCC
  • IBM COBOL — mainframe COBOL compiler for IBM z/OS and IBM i platforms
  • Micro Focus COBOL — commercial COBOL compiler and runtime for enterprise systems
  • FairCom RTG – A commercial real-time database and runtime solution developed by FairCom Corporation. It provides integration with COBOL applications for transaction processing and modernization projects, and is used in enterprise environments requiring high-performance data management.

Integrated development environments

Frameworks, libraries, and APIs

  • ACUCOBOL-GT — runtime and API library suite from Micro Focus
  • CICS — IBM middleware for transaction processing in COBOL applications
  • DB2 and IMS APIs — database access libraries commonly used with COBOL applications

Build tools and package managers

  • Apache Ant — scripting and build automation for COBOL/Java hybrid systems
  • GNU Make — common build tool for compiling COBOL via GnuCOBOL
  • Jenkins — used for CI/CD automation with COBOL builds

Testing and quality assurance

Debugging and profiling tools

  • GnuCOBOL debug mode — command-line debugging integrated in GnuCOBOL compiler
  • IBM Debug Tool for z/OS — mainframe debugging for COBOL and PL/I
  • Micro Focus Animator — step-through debugger for COBOL code

See also