The two themes around which this book is written are: the design of structured computer programs based on the techniques from Jackson Structured Programming (JSP); and the methods available for coding these designs in the COBOL language. The book uses Standard COBOL in the translation of JSP program designs into COBOL code. The programs in the text have been compiled using an ANS 1985 COBOL compiler, and because of the subset of language statements used it is also possible to compile the programs using older compilers that conform to the ANS 1974 Standard. Courses for which the book is suitable are BTEC National and Higher National Computer Studies, City & Guilds examinations in computing, and degrees in Computer Studies. A free lecturer's supplement is provided with a copyright-free PC-compatible disk incorporating all the illustrative programs in the text.