This is a packaged software offering that encompasses the expenses related to the setup and configuration of COBOL, a high-level programming language. It’s essential to grasp that computers fundamentally comprehend machine code, which consists of binary 0s and 1s. Therefore, to make COBOL code functional, it must undergo a conversion process into machine code, which is achieved through the use of a compiler.
The process entails running the program’s source code through a compiler, which serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it diligently scans the code for any syntax errors and ensures its correctness. Once the validation is complete, the compiler undertakes the critical task of translating the code into machine language. As a result of this compilation process, an output file is generated, commonly referred to as a “load module.” This output file contains the program in an executable form, represented as binary 0s and 1s, making it ready for execution on a computer system.