TL;DR
A long-running opinion piece argues that many decades-old technologies — from COBOL and mainframes to C, SQL, Linux and Git — remain central to banking, government and enterprise systems. The author suggests that open standards and open source projects are the most likely to persist over time, while single-vendor technologies are more fragile.
What happened
An opinion roundup surveys a set of established technologies that continue to underpin critical systems despite their age and lack of glamour. The author highlights COBOL — now 66 years old — as still handling core banking functions, ATM networks, credit-card clearing and batch settlement on mainframes, which themselves remain widely used in finance, insurance, government and inventory systems. Other long-lived technologies singled out include C (valued for speed and portability), SQL (deeply embedded in relational databases and business logic), JavaScript/TypeScript (the web’s default scripting environment), and Linux and Git (predicted to endure for decades). The piece also notes modern additions like Rust making inroads in the Linux kernel, and Kubernetes serving as the de facto container orchestrator in cloud environments. The author warns that file formats and single-vendor standards can create long-term compatibility problems, while open standards and open source projects tend to be more resilient.
Why it matters
- Critical infrastructure often depends on mature, widely deployed software rather than the newest tools, so maintenance and interoperability are ongoing concerns.
- Languages and formats entrenched across thousands of systems — for example SQL and COBOL — create high switching costs and long technical lifetimes.
- Open standards and open source projects tend to survive longer because they are not tied to a single vendor’s fate.
- Emerging replacements (e.g., Rust for C, alternatives to proprietary file formats) face significant compatibility and adoption hurdles.
Key facts
- COBOL marked its 66th year and remains in use for core banking tasks, ATM networks, credit-card clearing and batch end-of-day settlement.
- Mainframes continue to operate in finance, insurance, government and inventory management where reliability and throughput matter.
- C is more than 50 years old and is still preferred for system-level programming because of speed and portability; the author expects it to persist.
- Rust has gained enough traction to be used in the Linux kernel, but C’s advantages keep it widespread.
- SQL is entrenched across relational databases, with 'tens of billions' of lines of SQL in stored procedures and queries according to the author.
- JavaScript and its typed sibling TypeScript remain the de facto language(s) of the web and a major server-side runtime.
- Linux and Git are predicted to remain central to computing for decades into the future.
- Kubernetes is described as the default container orchestration platform across major clouds and a foundation for cloud-native tooling.
- Proprietary file formats such as DOC/DOCX and, in practice, PDF, have long-term staying power and can create portability and compatibility issues.
- An industry example: the proprietary music notation program Finale was discontinued by its maker, creating difficulties moving compositions between tools.
What to watch next
- Whether Rust’s adoption in system programming will significantly reduce C’s dominance — not confirmed in the source.
- The long-term stability and dominance of Kubernetes as the default cloud-native orchestrator.
- How file-format choices (proprietary vs open) affect portability and archival access over decades — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- COBOL: A decades-old programming language traditionally used for business, finance and administrative systems that require high-volume transaction processing.
- Mainframe: A large, powerful computer system designed for high availability, throughput and centralized processing, commonly used in enterprise and government operations.
- SQL: Structured Query Language, a standardized language for managing and querying relational database systems.
- Kubernetes: An open-source platform for automating deployment, scaling and management of containerized applications.
- Open standard / open source: Technologies and specifications that are publicly available and can be implemented or modified by anyone, often associated with broader interoperability and longevity.
Reader FAQ
Is COBOL still used in production systems?
Yes. The source reports COBOL is still used for core banking functions, ATM networks, payment clearing and batch settlement.
Will C be replaced by Rust soon?
The source notes Rust is making inroads (including use in the Linux kernel) but says C’s speed and portability keep it dominant; a full replacement is not confirmed in the source.
Is Linux likely to disappear?
No. The author expects Linux to remain a foundational operating system for the foreseeable future.
Are proprietary file formats a long-term problem?
The piece argues that dominant file formats often persist and can create compatibility and portability challenges, citing DOC/DOCX, PDF and a music-notation example.
SOFTWARE The most durable tech is boring, old, and everywhere From COBOL and C to Linux and SQL, the unglamorous software that keeps the world running refuses to disappear Steven…
Sources
- The most durable tech is boring, old, and everywhere
- Why Organizations Still Rely on Outdated Devices and …
- Why legacy systems still matter and how we modernize them
- The people stuck using ancient Windows computers
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