This new edition of the best-selling COBOL text has been thoroughly revised and updated--covers the latest COBOL standard, COBOL 85. Covers both mainframe and microcomputer (Microsoft) COBOL. Focuses on good program design, not just the syntax of the language, and provides an early introduction to structured programming by means of pseudocode, hierarchy charts, and structure charts. Offers a superior treatment of control breaks, date division, validating data, and the debugging of programs. There is new material on the design of files and the printing of well-designed reports. Continues the tradition of excellent pedagogical aids: chapter outlines, objectives, study/review questions, examples, programming exercises, glossary, and extensive appendixes.