This text is intended as an introduction to the COBOL programming language (and program design) for students who have little or no previous programming experience. The programming style is based on the structured constructs of COBOL 85. Each lesson is short and covers only one topic. The elements of top-down design are covered, together with its implementation using a hierarchical programming structure. The book covers FE/HE course requirements (C&G 726, BTEC National and HNC/HND), contains six fully worked programming projects and is divided into 90 lessons, the majority only occupying one or two pages. After each group of topics, a revision test is included. There are numerous examples and exercises, all designed to be used interactively on a computer. Readers requiring a more traditional COBOL style are referred to the author's companion text, COBOL - an Introduction, also published by the Macmillan Press.