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COBOL Complications for California Cuts says Comptroller

By catdynamics on August 5, 2008.

Fascinating article on slashdot about why California can't cut wage payroll employees to fed minimum wage, because their financial system is a COBOL legacy system

and Schwarzenegger's executive order bans hiring retirees with the requisite expertise...

"The state controller, who has opposed the pay cut on principle and legal grounds, now says the pay cut isn't even feasible because the state's payroll systems are so antiquated. He says it would take 6 months to go to minimum wage, and 9 months more to restore salaries once a budget is passed. The system is based on COBOL, according to the Sacramento Bee, and the state hasn't yet found the funds or resources, in 10 years of trying, to upgrade it."

this, to be honest, sounds like total bullshit - even COBOL systems should be able to change current hourly pay rate for any subset of employees. There's no way the pay rate is hardcoded in the system - it has to be a soft input.

But it makes for a cute story.

i can fiz thizà sorta
more cat pictures

h/t Calculated Risk

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I've actually wondered recently if it would be worth learning COBOL because of the number of stories like this I hear.

First they have to find somebody to train the new hire in COBOL, then train the new hire as well as training the many levels of management above the new kid so that they can properly supervise his work.

You should not underestimate the resistance of management to new learning.

By Bill the Cat (not verified) on 05 Aug 2008 #permalink