This page was last updated Tuesday, March 19th, 2024.
GnuCOBOL (formerly OpenCOBOL) is a free COBOL compiler. The GnuCOBOL "cobc" program translates COBOL source code to into C code, and then uses a local or embedded C compiler to translate the intermediate C code into executable programs. This page includes free downloads of ready-to-install copies of GnuCOBOL for Windows. These versions were built with 32-bit MinGW (Minimalist Gnu for Windows).
There are three versions of 32-bit MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 (23Dec2020) for Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8/8.1, and Windows 10. One is built with Oracle Berkeley Database for indexed sequential file support (ISAM), one with no ISAM support, and one with VBISAM 2.01 for ISAM support. Some users may find the Oracle Berkeley Database license too restrictive for redistribution of COBOL executable programs. All three versions may be downloaded below.
For anyone who would like to build GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 (or other versions of GnuCOBOL/OpenCOBOL) using MinGW (Minimalist Gnu for Windows), there are build guides available for download in both PDF format and LibreOffice DOCX format (which can be edited with MS Word or OpenOffice Writer). 32-bit MinGW is a minimal unix-type environment for Windows that allows you to build the GnuCOBOL compiler using GCC (the Gnu Compiler Collection). The generated GnuCOBOL compiler runs in a normal Windows CMD.EXE shell, similar to the old MS-DOS command.com window. GnuCOBOL uses an embedded version of MinGW GCC to compile intermediate C code into executable code.
As of 13JAN2018 I have added a manual (revised 31MAY2018) on Using MinGW GnuCOBOL, including how to install GnuCOBOL (and OCIDE), how to compile programs, and how to prepare GnuCOBOL applications to be installed on a target Windows PC without installing the compiler.
There is also a link to Colin Duquesnoy's OpenCobolIDE, which is a free, open source GUI Interactive Development Environment (IDE) for GnuCOBOL written in Python for GNU/Linux, Windows, and Mac OSX. The Windows installer includes GnuCOBOL 2.0 Release Candidate 2 in addition to the IDE. This is probably the quickest way to install a working COBOL compiler for Windows. You can also change the Preferences in "OpenCobolIDE" to use an alternate version of GnuCOBOL, even the 64-bit MinGW GnuCOBOL or an MS Visual Studio build.
GnuCOBOL project on sourceforge.net (formerly OpenCOBOL) for GNU/Linux and Windows
GnuCOBOL 3.2 Dev0 Programmer's Guide, Quick Reference, and Sample Programs, in letter or A4 format
(REVISED 2022-07-19) Using-MinGW-GnuCOBOL-Guide-draft-V3.pdf, in PDF format.
Here are the newest GnuCOBOL 3.2 (28Jul2023) download binaries built with MinGW Gnu Compiler Collection 9.2.0. These binaries have been updated as of 13Aug2023 to include the most recent updates to the GnuCOBOL manuals, which are included in PDF format. GnuCOBOL 3.2 includes PDCursesMod 4.3.7/wincon. It also includes GCSORT.EXE and support for the COBOL ReportWriter. You can download a 7-Zip binary and rename the file extension from "7z" to "exe", and run it as a self-installing archive. Then see the STARTHERE.txt file, or open a cmd.exe window in the install folder, and run "set_env.cmd" to set the environment variables.
- (NEW) GnuCOBOL 3.2 BDB (13Aug2023) GC32-BDB-SP1-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10/11. Includes GCC 9.2.0, Berkeley DataBase 18.1.40 for Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.1, and PDCursesMod 4.3.7 (25.6 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
- (NEW) GnuCOBOL 3.2 BDB Sleepycat License (16Aug2023) GC32-BSL-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10/11. Includes GCC 9.2.0, Berkeley DataBase 6.0.19 (Sleepycat License) for Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.1, and PDCursesMod 4.3.7 (25.6 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive. This compiler uses an older version of Berkeley DataBase that has the less restrictive Sleepycat License.
- (NEW) GnuCOBOL 3.2 VBI (13Aug2023) GC32-VBI-SP1-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10/11. Includes GCC 9.2.0, VBISAM 2.1.1 for Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.1, and PDCursesMod 4.3.7 (24.3 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
- (NEW) GnuCOBOL 3.2 NODB (13Aug2023) GC32-NODB-SP1-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10/11. Includes GCC 9.2.0, NO Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.1, and PDCursesMod 4.3.7 (24.2 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
(NEW 2023-07-29) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.2 Draft, in .PDF format.
(NEW 2023-07-29) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.2 Draft, in LibreOffice .DOCX format.
- (NEW) Gnu Debugger 13.1 for MinGW GnuCOBOL(13May2023) GDB-rc0-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MSYS2 MinGW Gnu Debugger for 64-bit or 32-bit MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 or higher. Can be installed separately from GnuCOBOL for testing. (30.7 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
- Backup of MinGW32 build environment (06Feb2023) MinGW-bkup01.7z -- MinGW build environment from osdn.net after installation, but before building any GnuCOBOL components (84.7 megabytes).
- Backup of MinGW32 build environment with gmplib (08Dec2023) MinGW-bkup02-sp2.7z -- MinGW build environment from osdn.net after installation, with gmplib 6.3.0 built according to the build guide as a "fat" binary (88.5 megabytes).
Open source 7-Zip compression/archiving software for Windows 32-bit or 64-bit. https://www.7-zip.org/
Building GnuCOBOL with VBISAM is challenging. The best version of VBISAM I have found is "VBISAM 2.01" but it is not hosted where it can be easily found. It is based on VBISAM 2.0 by Roger While from the VBISAM SourceForge project. But it has been patched by Sergey Kashyrin, Mario Matos, and an anonymous poster in the GnuCOBOL SourgeForge discussion forums. So I am hosting it here in two different files. Chuck Haatvedt has patched a version of VBISAM 2.1.1 to allow it to build in either 32-bit or 64-bit MSYS2.
Carl Goldin has created scripts for building GnuCOBOL 3.1-dev in Windows or Linux. This is a more automated process that greatly simplifies building a working GnuCOBOL compiler. He has also created a program to unload an ISAM file to sequential file, or reload an ISAM file from a sequential file. He also offers a C program to get special characters from the screen. Here are links to his work.
GnuCOBOL 3.2 (28Jul2023) MSYS2 64-bit GC32M-BDB-x64.7z -- MSYS2 64-bit GnuCOBOL 3.2 Final release with full debugging support. (95.4 Megabytes).
GnuCOBOL 3.2 (28Jul2023) MSYS2 32-bit GC32M-BDB-x32.7z -- MSYS2 32-bit GnuCOBOL 3.2 Final release with full debugging support. (96.1 Megabytes).
MSYS2 Build Kit MSYS2-Build-Kit-v09.7z (version 09) -- (Updated 2023-12-06) 7-ZIP file containing build guide and additional required files for building GnuCOBOL compilers using the MSYS2 tool chain. These are scripts for setting the environment variables for the compiler and runtime. A complete set of GnuCOBOL 3.2 Manuals is also included. (7.5 Megabytes).
MSYS2 Scripts cobenv.zip -- ZIP file containing cobenv.cmd for MSYS2 builds, and cobenv.sh shell script for Gnu/Linux environments. These are scripts for setting the environment variables for the compiler and runtime. (3.4 Kilobytes).
GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 (23Dec2020) MSYS2 64-bit GC312-BDB-M64-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW MSYS2 64-bit GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 with ncurses and Berkeley DataBase. (70.6 Megabytes).
GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 (23Dec2020) MSYS2 32-bit GC312-BDB-M32-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW MSYS2 32-bit GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 with ncurses and Berkeley DataBase. (73.8 Megabytes).
Build Guide for MinGW 64-bit GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 in LibreOffice/MS-Word DOCX format.
Build Guide for MinGW 64-bit GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 in PDF format.
GnuCOBOL 3.1-rc1 (30JUN2020) MSYS2 64-bit GC31-rc1-BDB-M64-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW MSYS2 64-bit GnuCOBOL 3.1-rc1 with ncurses and Berkeley DataBase. (43.1 Megabytes).
GnuCOBOL 3.1-rc1 (30JUN2020) MSYS2 32-bit GC31-rc1-BDB-M32-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW MSYS2 32-bit GnuCOBOL 3.1-rc1 with ncurses and Berkeley DataBase. (40.3 Megabytes).
Build Guide for MinGW 64-bit GnuCOBOL 3.1-rc1 in LibreOffice/MS-Word DOCX format.
Build Guide for MinGW 64-bit GnuCOBOL 3.1-rc1 in PDF format.
Gary Cutler's OpenCOBOL 1.1 (06FEB2009) is available for download below as a packaged installer for Windows XP/Vista/7/8.
Some time ago I built the GnuCOBOL 1.1 compiler (20JAN2014) using source code available from the GnuCOBOL/OpenCOBOL project on Sourceforge.net. The compiler has been tested with the GnuCOBOL version of the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) COBOL85 test suite and passes 9,011 out of 9,129 test cases. Please see the link below for a Windows installer for GnuCOBOL 1.1.
There are three versions of MinGW GnuCOBOL 2.0 Release Candidate 2 (06NOV2016) for Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. One is built with Berkeley Database for indexed sequential file support (ISAM), one with no ISAM support, and with VBISAM 2.0 for ISAM support. Some people may find the Berkeley Database Oracle license too restrictive for redistribution of COBOL executable programs. All three versions may downloaded below. The newest versions are compressed into smaller download files.
====== Version 1.1 ======
Free OpenCOBOL 1.1 Compiler (06FEB2009) OpenCOBOL-MinGw-installer.zip -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/Vista/7/8.1/10, Unzip to extract the installer program.
OpenCOBOL 1.1 (06FEB2009) Build Guide for MinGW (PDF), written by Gary Cutler.
Free GnuCOBOL 1.1 Compiler (20JAN2014) GnuCOBOL-MinGw-Installer.zip -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/Vista/7/8.1/10. Unzip to extract the installer program (33.5 megabytes).
====== Version 2.0 ======
(DRAFT) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 2.0 Release Candidate 2, in PDF format.
(DRAFT) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 2.0 Release Candidate 2, in LibreOffice .ODT format.
GnuCOBOL 2.0 (06NOV2016) Release Candidate 2 GC20RC2-BDB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes Berkeley DataBase for Indexed Sequential file access support (16.5 megabytes).
GnuCOBOL 2.0 (06NOV2016) Release Candidate 2 GC20RC2-VBI-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes VBISAM 2.0 for Indexed Sequential file access support (15.8 megabytes).
GnuCOBOL 2.0 (06NOV2016) Release Candidate 2 GC20RC2-NODB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10, without any Indexed Sequential file access support (15.1 megabytes).
====== Version 2.2 ======
(REVISED) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 2.2, in PDF format.
(REVISED) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 2.2, in LibreOffice .ODT format.
GnuCOBOL 2.2 (06SEP2017) GC22-BDB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes Berkeley DataBase for Indexed Sequential file access support (18.4 megabytes).
GnuCOBOL 2.2 (06SEP2017) GC22-VBI-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes VBISAM 2.01 for Indexed Sequential file access support (17.2 megabytes).
GnuCOBOL 2.2 (06SEP2017) GC22-NODB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10, without Indexed Sequential file support (17.1 megabytes).
(Updated 2018-04-18) GnuCOBOL 2.2 (06SEP2017) GC22X-BDB-setup.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes Berkeley DataBase for Indexed Sequential file access support (18.0 megabytes). This is an experimental version with PDCurses 4.0.2/win32a and a patch to tree.c for the ACCEPT WITH UPDATE verb.
Build Guide for MinGW 64-bit GnuCOBOL 2.2 in LibreOffice ODT format.
GnuCOBOL 2.2 (06SEP2017) MSYS2 64-bit GC22B-64bit-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW MSYS2 64-bit GnuCOBOL 2.2 with ncurses and Berkeley DataBase. (34.4 Megabytes).
====== Version 3.0 ======
GnuCOBOL 3.0 and higher now includes the COBOL ReportWriter module.
GnuCOBOL 3.0 RC1 (23APR2018) GC31-rc1-BDB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes Berkeley DataBase for Indexed Sequential file access support (19.1 megabytes) and PDCurses 3.4. Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
GnuCOBOL 3.0 RC1 (23APR2018) GC30RC1-VBI-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes VBISAM 2.01 for Indexed Sequential file access support (17.9 megabytes) and PDCurses 3.4. Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
GnuCOBOL 3.0 RC1 (23APR2018) GC30XRC1-BDB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes Berkeley DataBase for Indexed Sequential file access support (18.1 megabytes) and PDCurses 4.02. Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
GnuCOBOL 3.0 RC1 (23APR2018) GC30XRC1-VBI-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes VBISAM 2.0.1 for Indexed Sequential file access support (16.9 megabytes) and PDCurses 4.02. Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
GnuCOBOL 3.0 RC1 (23APR2018) GC30XRC1-NODB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10, but without any ISAM support (NODB). This version includes newer PDCurses 4.0.2 (16.8 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
GnuCOBOL 3.0 RC1 r2793 (27NOV2018) GC30XRC2-BDB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes Berkeley DataBase for Indexed Sequential file access support and PDCurses 4.02 (18.15 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
(REVISED 2018-05-10) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.0, in .PDF format.
(REVISED 2018-05-10) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.0, in LibreOffice .ODT format.
GnuCOBOL 3.0 RC1 r2793 (27NOV2018) GC30r2793-BDB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes Berkeley DataBase for Indexed Sequential file access support and PDCurses 3.4 (18.1 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
GnuCOBOL 3.0 RC1 r2793 (27NOV2018) GC30r2793-VBI-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes VBISAM 2.0.1 for Indexed Sequential file access support and PDCurses 3.4 (16.9 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
GnuCOBOL 3.0 RC1 r2793 (27NOV2018) GC30r2793-NODB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10, but without any ISAM support (NODB). This version includes PDCurses 3.4 (16.8 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
====== Version 3.1 ======
(REVISED 2020-10-18) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.1-rc1, in .PDF format.
(REVISED 2020-10-18) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.1-rc1, in LibreOffice .DOCX format.
GnuCOBOL 3.1-dev r3508 (22MAR2020) GC31-r3508-BDB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes Berkeley DataBase 18.1.32 for Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.0, and PDCurses 3.9 (18.2 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
GnuCOBOL 3.1-dev r3508 (22MAR2020) GC31-r3508-VBI-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes VBISAM 2.0.1 for Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.0, and PDCurses 3.9 (17.0 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
GnuCOBOL 3.1-dev r3508 (22MAR2020) GC31-r3508-NODB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10, but without any ISAM support (NODB). This version includes GMP 6.2.0 and PDCurses 3.9 (16.9 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
GnuCOBOL 3.1-rc1 (30JUN2020) GC31-rc1-G-BDB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes Berkeley DataBase 18.1.32 for Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.0, and PDCurses 4.1.99 (23.5 megabytes). Also includes FULL support for debugging GnuCOBOL COMPILER INTERNALS. Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
GnuCOBOL 3.1-rc1 (30JUN2020) GC31-rc1-BDB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes Berkeley DataBase 18.1.32 for Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.0, and PDCurses 4.1.99 (18.3 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
GnuCOBOL 3.1-rc1 (30JUN2020) GC31-rc1-VBI-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes VBISAM 2.0.1 for Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.0, and PDCurses 4.1.99 (17.0 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
GnuCOBOL 3.1-rc1 (30JUN2020) GC31-rc1-NODB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10 without any ISAM support (NODB). This version includes GMP 6.2.0 and PDCurses 4.1.99 (16.9 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
(REVISED 2020-11-16) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.1 Final, in .PDF format.
(REVISED 2020-11-16) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.1 Final, in LibreOffice .DOCX format.
====== Version 3.1.1 ======
- GnuCOBOL 3.1.1 BDB (08Dec2020) GC311-BDB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes Berkeley DataBase 18.1.40 for Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.0, and PDCursesMod 4.2.0 (18.3 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
- GnuCOBOL 3.1.1 VBISAM (08Dec2020) GC311-VBI-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes VBISAM 2.0.1 for Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.0, and PDCursesMod 4.2.0 (17.1 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
- GnuCOBOL 3.1.1 NODB (08Dec2020) GC311-NODB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10 without any ISAM support (NODB). This version includes GMP 6.2.0 and PDCursesMod 4.2.0 (17.0 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
- GnuCOBOL 3.1.1 BDB Diagnostic (08Dec2020) GC311-G-BDB-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes Berkeley DataBase 18.1.40 for Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.0, and PDCursesMod 4.2.0 (23.5 megabytes). Also includes FULL support for debugging GnuCOBOL 3.1.1 COMPILER INTERNALS. Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
(REVISED 2020-12-09) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.1.1 Final, in .PDF format.
(REVISED 2020-12-09) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.1.1 Final, in LibreOffice .DOCX format.
====== Version 3.1.2 ======
- GCSORT.EXE for GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 (11May2022) GCSORT-gc312-binary.zip -- This is an external SORT utility (similar to IBM DFSORT) for 32-bit MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.0 through 3.1.2. Copy the "gcsort.exe" file into your \bin folder where cobc.exe and cobcrun.exe reside. Many thanks to Sauro Menna, who helped me with the GCSORT build process!
- GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 BDB Service Pack 2 (31Aug2022) GC312-BDB-SP2-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes GCC 9.2.0, Berkeley DataBase 18.1.40 for Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.1, and PDCursesMod 4.3.4 (24.1 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
- GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 VBI Service Pack 2 (31Aug2022) GC312-VBI-SP2-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes GCC 9.2.0, VBISAM 2.0.1 for Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.1, and PDCursesMod 4.3.4 (22.9 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
- GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 NODB Service Pack 2 (31Aug2022) GC312-NODB-SP2-rename-7z-to-exe.7z -- MinGW GnuCOBOL compiler for Windows XP/7/8/10. Includes GCC 9.2.0, No Indexed Sequential file access support, GMP 6.2.1, and PDCursesMod 4.3.4 (22.7 megabytes). Rename .7z to .exe for self-extracting archive.
(REVISED 2021-08-18) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 Final, in .PDF format.
(REVISED 2021-08-18) Build Guide for MinGW GnuCOBOL 3.1.2 Final, in LibreOffice .DOCX format.
E-mail: arnold.trembley@att.net
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