This fourth edition is up-to-date with 1985 ANSI standard coding techniques, conventions and style used throughout. All example programs have been rewritten to utilize the expanded features available in the 85 standard. Chapter 6 (The Evaluate Statement) has been added to discuss a new statement in the 85 standard. Chapters 20 and 21 covering interactive COBOL have been added to take advantage of the increasing use of COBOL on PCs. Certain sections, covering outmoded 74 standard features, have been deleted.