COBOL is great for formatting output. An output field that looks like:
TOTAL-PAY PIC $$$,$$$.99
would print the $ right next to the value. It would print up to $99,999.99. If the value was only $150, it would print $150.00. Also, there is usually a COBOL function that would convert that amount to words - "ONE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS AND NO CENTS"
