GnuCOBOL is an open source COBOL compiler and runtime environment for computers running on Windows, which was written using the C programming language. The package is distributed in source-code format, that you have to then build for your operating system with the C compiler and loader.

Brief review

This Windows application has been developed with the help of Microsoft’s freely-available Visual Studio to provide you with all the required functions for compiling, as well as linking and loading. Unfortunately, this approach does not lend itself to a portable distribution. This means you need to have advanced computer skills to be able to successfully install and use the tool on your personal computer.

Main functions

The GnuCOBOL generates C code from your COBOL projects, which is then automatically compiled and linked using your system’s compiler. It features support for much of the ANSI 85 standard, as well as some of the components of the COBOL2002 and COBOL2014. The latter provide SCREEN SECTION, table-based SORT, and user-defined functions. If you want to interpret the IBM mainframe error codes in the COBOL language, you may try another utility called ABEND Assist.

Features

free to download and use;
compatible with modern Windows versions;
gives you the ability to compile COBOL source code;
requires configuration before accessing main functions;
messages have been translated into multiple languages.