Guest Editors' Introduction - Fresh from Y2K, What's Next for Cobol?

0 7 4 0 7 4 5 9 / 0 0 / $ 1 0 . 0 0 © 2 0 0 0 I E E E ground. We agree with F.G. Harold’s concept of “optimal heterophily”1 and use the term software engineering to include information technology. Y2K presented a formidable (albeit welldefined) challenge: find the date problems and fix them (see our “Congratulations” in the accompanying sidebar). Post-Y2K presents a more formidable challenge: a set of issues more complex, less well defined, with solutions more resistant to prescription. With Y2K behind us, we address the question “What’s next for Cobol?” in terms of how it came to be what it is and how it will likely continue to change.