>From: Peter Hermann <[log in to unmask]>
>> or give a report writing mechanism?
>please explain (us) in short words.
printed reports often have totals and several (1,2,3) levels of subtotals.
The most significant (IMHO) feature of the COBOL report writing mechanism is
automation of computation of those totals and subtotals (thus preserving from
many errors, usually associated with end-of-file or end-of-group of input
data).
  In very short words, COBOL without report writing mechanism looks somehow
like Ada without tasking facilities.

>> COBOL has its place in the world just as Ada has its
>COBOL had its place.
Ask Robert Dewar. He knows well about COBOL and I think that he may tell you
some surprising insights on this matter.


Alexander Kopilovitch                      [log in to unmask]
Saint-Petersburg
Russia