The Enduring Legacy of Long-Standing Technologies

COBOL celebrated its 66th anniversary this year, and impressively, it remains in active use across various sectors. Major retail chains and commercial banks rely on COBOL for core account processing, ATM networks, credit card clearing, and batch end-of-day settlements. Additionally, numerous payment networks, stock exchanges, and clearinghouses depend on COBOL for high-volume, reliable transaction processing on mainframes.

Mainframes, the backbone of critical systems in banking, insurance, government, and inventory management, are still very much alive. While contemporary technologies like AI and cloud-native platforms dominate headlines, these "old" systems continue to perform essential work tirelessly.

This longevity prompted reflection on what other technologies might still be in use half a century or more after their inception. Here’s a list of such enduring tools that have stood the test of time.

Evolution of Foundational Technologies

It's worth noting that modern COBOL 2023 differs significantly from the original language created by Grace Hopper. Similarly, early mainframes like IBM’s 1952 701 and the 1965 IBM/360—once the primary platform for COBOL—look nothing like today’s IBM z17. Yet, a clear lineage connects these early systems to current hardware and software, illustrating how fundamental principles evolve but remain recognizable.

Programming Languages That Stand the Test of Time

C: The System Programmer’s Workhorse

C, over 50 years old, remains the go-to language for system programming. Despite its known security issues, it excels in raw speed and portability across virtually any CPU architecture. While some suggest Rust might replace C, especially with its safety features, C’s speed and widespread adoption ensure it will remain relevant for decades.

SQL: The Language of Data

SQL is embedded in nearly every relational database management system (RDBMS). Billions of stored procedures and queries rely on SQL, making it indispensable for data management, business logic, and analytics. Its deep integration into data infrastructure guarantees its longevity.

JavaScript and TypeScript: The Web’s Foundation

Despite frequent developer criticism, JavaScript (and its variant TypeScript) continues to be essential for web development. As long as the web exists, JavaScript will be the default language for browsers and server-side runtimes, making it a mainstay for the foreseeable future.

Ever-Present Operating Systems and Tools

Linux and Git

Linux’s durability is unmatched; it’s still running critical systems and will likely do so well into the 22nd century. Linus Torvalds’ creation, Linux, and the distributed version control system Git, are expected to be central to software development for at least another half-century.

Classic Text Editors and Shells

Tools like vi and Emacs have persisted for decades and will likely continue. Bash, the enduring Unix shell, is expected to remain relevant for at least another century due to its utility and widespread adoption.

Technologies Supporting Modern Infrastructure

Kubernetes: The Container Orchestrator

In container orchestration, Kubernetes has become the de facto standard across cloud platforms. Despite criticisms, it forms the backbone of cloud-native computing, supporting countless services and applications. Its centrality suggests it will dominate infrastructure for many years to come.

Future-Proof Software and File Formats

Photoshop & Image Editing

While open-source alternatives like GIMP exist, Adobe Photoshop’s dominance in professional image editing suggests it will remain relevant for decades, especially in commercial workflows.

Persistent File Formats

Established formats like PDF and DOCX tend to endure because they’ve become industry standards, despite being proprietary or less open. However, reliance on these standards can lead to compatibility issues or vendor lock-in, highlighting the importance of open formats.

Music Notation and Proprietary Standards

Industry-specific formats, such as Finale for music notation, exemplify how proprietary formats can create interoperability crises. Once a standard becomes obsolete or unsupported, migrating content becomes a challenge, emphasizing the value of open standards.

The Role of Open Standards and Open Source

The common thread among enduring technologies is their foundation in open standards or open-source projects. Dependence on single companies often leads to obsolescence, whereas open collaborations foster longevity.

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In summary, while newer technologies continually emerge, many foundational tools like COBOL, C, SQL, Linux, and Kubernetes are poised to remain vital for decades. Their longevity underscores the importance of open standards, portability, and proven reliability in building resilient technological ecosystems.