Why can no COBOL line of code be longer than 80 columns in length?

Answer 1

Technically speaking, a line of code can't be longer than 72 characters - columns 73-80 are ignored by the compiler. The reason is simple - back when COBOL was developed, programs were written on standard 80-column punch cards that were then loaded into a card reader. Columns 73-80 were typically used for entering sequence numbers - dropping a card stack was enough of a headache without also trying to put all the cards back into order without them. There has not been any urgent need to remove this inherent limitation of COBOL syntax, which would've required a massive redesign of compilers. It ain't broke, so nobody's fixing it.