Joe Geiser ([log in to unmask]) wrote:
: According
: to a textbook I have here:
: COmmon Business Oriented Language

Right on!

From the current ANSI standard, Appendix A: The History of COBOL,
page XVII-1:

   "The original COBOL specifications resulted from the work of a
   committee of CODASYL [the COnference on DAta SYstems Languages].
   By September 1959 this committee had specified a framework upon
   which an effective common business language could be built.  The
   name COBOL which suggests a COmmon Business Oriented Language was
   adopted for these specifications.  The final report of this
   committee was accepted by the Executive Committee of CODASYL and
   published in April 1960.  The document was titled:  'COBOL - A
   Report to the Conference on Data Systems Languages, including
   Initial Specifications for a Common Business Oriented Language
   (COBOL) for Programming Electronic Digital Computers'.  The
   language described in this report has since become known as
   COBOL-60."

Walter Murray