iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Yes, a programming language that looks outdated can still be used in paid work—but learning it is not a job guarantee. Of the three languages here, COBOL has the clearest evidence of current enterprise use: IBM says businesses rely on it for critical data processing and continues to maintain Enterprise COBOL for z/OS. That confirms a living technology, not abundant openings. For Ada and Perl, the career descriptions are less firmly established by the available primary-source evidence.
What “still used” does—and doesn’t—tell you about a job
A language can remain essential to existing systems without generating many openings for new developers. Employers may also expect platform experience, industry knowledge, or the ability to maintain a particular codebase—not just familiarity with the language.
So treat “can land you a job” as a possibility, not a promise. Before choosing a language, check current postings where you want to work. Look for the actual job title, required experience, platform or runtime, and domain skills. Then weigh how readily those skills could transfer to other roles.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
COBOL: the strongest evidence of continuing use
IBM describes COBOL as a business-oriented language used in mission-critical enterprise processing. Its COBOL developer page says that day-to-day logic for some of the most critical data processing is frequently done with COBOL. IBM also maintains Enterprise COBOL for z/OS documentation, including version 6.5 materials. These are concrete signs that the language and its tooling remain in use and maintained.
#1 Best Overall
- Murach's Mainframe COBOL
- Mike Murach & Associates
- ABIS BOOK
IBM’s COBOL overview, published in 2025 and updated in February 2026, reports that COBOL supports more than 40% of online banking systems, 80% of in-person credit-card transactions, and 95% of ATM transactions, and that systems using it generate more than US$3 billion in commerce each day. These are IBM-published figures, not independently audited statistics established here. They describe reported use, not the number of available jobs.
For a prospective developer, the practical question is whether local employers hire for COBOL and what else they require—such as experience with mainframe environments or financial systems. The evidence of continued use makes COBOL worth investigating, but does not show that studying it alone will secure a position.
Ada: a possible fit for specialized software work
The article describes Ada as a language used for high-assurance embedded and real-time software, including safety-critical work. That description could point toward specialized roles rather than broad, general-purpose hiring, but it is not independently corroborated here with primary Ada documentation or current job-posting data. Verify the relevant applications and requirements in live postings before investing in Ada as a career route.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsPerl: investigate the specific codebases and roles
The article characterizes Perl as a general-purpose scripting language associated with text processing and legacy web environments. The available evidence does not independently establish how common those roles are today or how often employers hire Perl developers. A historic presence in a software environment is not, by itself, evidence of current demand. Search for postings that name Perl and inspect whether they require maintenance of existing systems, broader scripting skills, or other technologies.
Rank #3
How to compare the three before you study
| Language | Career angle described | What the evidence establishes | What to verify locally |
|---|---|---|---|
| COBOL | Business and financial processing | IBM describes ongoing enterprise reliance and maintains Enterprise COBOL for z/OS documentation; neither proves job volume. | Openings, mainframe or platform requirements, domain knowledge, experience level, and transferable skills. |
| Ada | High-assurance embedded and real-time systems | This career description is attributed to the article; primary-source usage and employment evidence were not established here. | Whether relevant employers are hiring, which systems and qualifications they name, and how specialized the roles are. |
| Perl | Scripting, text processing, and legacy web work | This career description is attributed to the article; current demand was not established here. | Whether postings require Perl, what adjacent technologies they list, and whether the work is maintenance or new development. |
Use the comparison as a starting point, not a ranking: the evidence does not establish which language has the best salary or hiring outlook. Check several recent listings in your target location, and compare their experience requirements, platforms, domain knowledge, and training expectations. A language is a stronger investment when the skills in those listings also open paths to adjacent roles.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why salary estimates and company counts need caution
The article cites salary estimates attributed to Franklin University and PayScale, as well as a company count attributed to TheirStack. The available information does not provide enough detail to compare job definitions, geography, dates, sample sizes, or methodology. Those figures therefore should not be treated as current, directly comparable salary expectations or proof of demand.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →
