# Ile Cobol Docs > | - **Type:** Skill - **Install:** `agentstack add skill-pledgeandgrow-pledge-skills-cobol` - **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior - **Seller:** [pledgeandgrow](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/pledgeandgrow) - **Installs:** 0 - **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills) - **Latest version:** 0.1.0 - **License:** MIT - **Upstream author:** [pledgeandgrow](https://github.com/pledgeandgrow) - **Source:** https://github.com/pledgeandgrow/pledge-skills/tree/main/skills/cobol ## Install ```sh agentstack add skill-pledgeandgrow-pledge-skills-cobol ``` Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent. ## About # ILE COBOL Language Skill ## Overview IBM ILE COBOL (Integrated Language Environment COBOL) is a programming language available on IBM i systems. It is based on the ANSI COBOL standard with IBM extensions. ILE COBOL provides structured programming capabilities, file handling, database access, interlanguage communication, and integration with the IBM i operating system. This skill covers IBM ILE COBOL for IBM i 7.4 (also applicable to 7.5). Source: IBM ILE COBOL Language Reference and ILE COBOL Programmer's Guide. ## Key Concepts - **COBOL Source Program**: A syntactically correct set of COBOL statements organized into four divisions - **Nesting**: COBOL programs may contain other COBOL programs (nested programs); contained programs can reference resources of their containing program - **Run Unit**: A set of one or more programs functioning as a unit at run time; in ILE, composed of program objects and service programs in a single ILE activation group - **ILE Architecture**: Module creation, binding, message handling, exception handling, and debugging across multiple languages - **Reference Format**: 80-character source line with specific column areas (Sequence, Indicator, Area A, Area B, Comment) ## Source Program Structure A COBOL source program consists of four divisions, written in this order: 1. **Identification Division** (required) - Names the program and provides documentary information 2. **Environment Division** (optional) - Describes computer environment, files, and I/O configuration 3. **Data Division** (optional) - Describes all data to be processed 4. **Procedure Division** (optional) - Contains the executable logic The end of a COBOL source program is indicated by the END PROGRAM header or by the absence of additional source lines. ### Example Program ```cobol IDENTIFICATION DIVISION. PROGRAM-ID. IDSAMPLE. AUTHOR. PROGRAMMER NAME. INSTALLATION. COBOL DEVELOPMENT CENTER. DATE-WRITTEN. 12/02/94. DATE-COMPILED. 12/09/94 12:57:53. SECURITY. NON-CONFIDENTIAL. ENVIRONMENT DIVISION. CONFIGURATION SECTION. SOURCE-COMPUTER. IBM-ISERIES. OBJECT-COMPUTER. IBM-ISERIES. INPUT-OUTPUT SECTION. FILE-CONTROL. SELECT FILE-1 ASSIGN TO DISK-SAMPLE. DATA DIVISION. FILE SECTION. FD FILE-1 LABEL RECORDS ARE STANDARD. 01 RECORD-1. 05 NAME-FIELD PIC X(20). 05 NO-OF-DEP PIC 9(2). WORKING-STORAGE SECTION. 01 WORK-RECORD. 05 NAME-FIELD PIC X(20). 05 NO-OF-DEPENDENTS PIC 9(2). 05 RECORD-NO PIC 9(4). 77 KOUNT PIC 9(2) VALUE 0. PROCEDURE DIVISION. STEP-1. OPEN OUTPUT FILE-1. MOVE ZERO TO KOUNT. STEP-2. ADD 1 TO KOUNT. MOVE "SAMPLE NAME" TO NAME-FIELD. WRITE RECORD-1 FROM WORK-RECORD. STEP-3. CLOSE FILE-1. STOP RUN. ``` ## Language Structure Hierarchy - **Division** > **Section** > **Paragraph** > **Entry** > **Clause** > **Phrase** - Identification Division: Paragraphs > Entries > Clauses - Environment Division: Sections > Paragraphs > Entries > Clauses > Phrases - Data Division: Sections > Entries > Clauses > Phrases - Procedure Division: Sections > Paragraphs > Sentences > Statements > Phrases ## Character Set COBOL characters include: - Letters A-Z, a-z - Digits 0-9 - Special characters: `+ - * / = $ , . ; " ' ( ) :` and space - IBM extensions: apostrophe (`'`) and underscore (`_`) - DBCS (Double-Byte Character Set) characters valid in certain character-strings - `#` and `@` valid in IBM i system names ## Reference Format (80-column source line) | Area | Columns | Purpose | |------|---------|---------| | Sequence Number | 1-6 | Optional sequence numbering | | Indicator Area | 7 | Comment (`*`), continuation (`-`), etc. | | Area A | 8-11 | Division headers, section names, paragraph names | | Area B | 12-72 | Statements, clauses, entries | | Comment Area | 73-80 | Ignored by compiler | ## Skill File Index - **language.md** - Language structure, characters, reference format, data references, figurative constants, special registers, expressions, intrinsic functions - **divisions.md** - Four divisions detailed: Identification, Environment, Data, Procedure; all clauses and statements - **programming.md** - Programmer's guide: compiling, running, debugging, I/O, file handling, error handling, ILE concepts ## IBM i References - ILE COBOL Language Reference: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.4.0?topic=cobol-ile-language-reference - ILE COBOL Programmer's Guide: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.4.0?topic=cobol-ile-programmers-guide - ILE Concepts: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/i/7.5.0?topic=languages-ile-concepts ## Source & license This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code. - **Author:** [pledgeandgrow](https://github.com/pledgeandgrow) - **Source:** [pledgeandgrow/pledge-skills](https://github.com/pledgeandgrow/pledge-skills) - **License:** MIT Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above. ## Pricing - **Free** — Free ## Security capabilities Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access: - **Network access:** no - **Filesystem access:** no - **Shell / process execution:** no - **Environment & secrets:** no - **Dynamic code execution:** no *"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.* ## Versions - **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source. ## Links - Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-pledgeandgrow-pledge-skills-cobol - Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/pledgeandgrow - Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse --- Listed on AgentStack — the marketplace for AI agent skills and MCP servers. Every listing is security-reviewed. Creators keep 70%.