Opening a COB File

The COB file type is primarily associated with Visual COBOL.

COB	File extension: COB
	File type:	source code file

What is a COB file?

COB files mostly belong to Visual COBOL. COB files can refer to different types of files, depending on their origin.
In many cases these files are COBOL source code files. They hold text written in COBOL, a language used in business and financial systems. These files are plain text and can be edited with any text editor. Compilers such as Micro Focus Visual COBOL or GnuCOBOL turn this text into executable programs.
Some COB files are not source code at all. They are created by 3D applications like Caligari trueSpace and store object data used in digital modeling.
Other COB files are seen in gaming. In these, the file holds game object data, such as models and assets, used by systems like the Nebula Engine 2 in games (for example, those managed by the Nexon Game Client).
Usage tips:

If the file content is readable text, it is likely COBOL source code.

If the content appears binary or structured for geometry, it may be a 3D model file.

For game object files, the native game client or engine is best suited for opening them.

FilExt.com note: For more details on COBOL source files, you may visit this webpage.

How can I open a COB file?

You need a suitable software like Visual COBOL to open a COB file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your COB file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a COB file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online COB File Viewer

Choose your .cob file to view

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to convert a COB file to JPG, PDF, HTML, DOC, ...

You can convert COB files using our online COB file viewer (powered by Convert.Guru):

To do so, click the "Choose your .cob file to view" button above.
After your file is opened in browser,
click "Save as..." in the menu.
Then click the file format (e.g. PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Your file will be converted and downloaded.

Programs that open and convert COB files:

Visual COBOL
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. COB files are often referred to as Visual COBOL developers because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
COBOL Program File
Also see .CBL.
Creatures (Compiled Object File) by Gameware Development Ltd.
Gameware Development was formed in April 2003 with the purchase of the Creature Labs brand and its associated titles. A .COS file is compiled into a .COB file using the CyberLife COB Compiler. This file format is classified as Game.
RM/COBOL Runtime System (Application File) by Liant
Runs RM/COBOL applications.
Total Annihilation (Unit Script) by Cavedog Entertainment
This file format is classified as Game.
TrueSpace (Object) by Caligari Corporation
3D object file. These objects can be saved and loaded into scenes (.SCN). This file format is classified as Graphic. Related links: Object Specification
TrueSpace2 Object
The identifying characters used for this association are - Hex: 43 61 6C 69 67 61 72 69 20 56 30 30 2E 30 31 42 4C 48, ASCII: Caligari V00.01BLH.

COB file format:

Every file has a defined file format, i.e. how the data is arranged in the file. The first characters in a file identify the file format, for example, HTML files start with the bytes <html>. If the file extension or signature does not match the file format, errors will occur when opening or editing the file. Knowledge is power - this also applies when dealing with unknown or faulty files. Our examination of the COB files comes to the following conclusion:

COB is rarely used as a file extension and includes different formats for the applicable programs. However, the following two file formats are common:

20% of all COB files start with the magic bytes 10 12 14 20 00, which are always the first bytes of this file format. These are binary files, so they do not contain words or text. A typical file size is 14 KB.
7% of all COB files use the same file format, which have the signature BTRF. They consist of illegible, cryptic characters. The average file size is 8 KB with most files being between 410 bytes and 8 KB in size. The keywords BTRF are typical for these files.

The remaining 73% of all COB files are different files with different signatures, such as Caligari TrueSpace Object and Maxon Cinema 4D COFFEE Binary. These files are often connected to ascend or webm. You can get all the details of your COB file by dragging it onto this page or by clicking the button "Choose your .cob file to view" above.

Technical Data for COB File Extension

File classification:

Developer

Related files:

cbl, a0mnom, pan, bos, cab, pdf, txt, obj, 3ds, fbx, stl, dae

Mime type:

text/x-cobol

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: quick3D.cob
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\quick3D Geo\quick3D.exe %1

ProgramID: Caligari Object
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\gameSpaceLight\gsl.exe

ProgramID: ConferenceLink
EXEFile: rundll32.exe msconf.dll,OpenConfLink

a cob source code file is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with COB files

Associate the COB file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open source code files. Because only the current version supports the latest COB file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the manufacturer website after an available Visual COBOL update.
To make sure that your COB file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .COB file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.