Automated expression recognition technology by the CSIRO is making Santa Claus’ job a lot easier these days. He may only need to check his list once, not twice, to see if you’ve been naughty or nice.

COBOL, the ubiquitous computer language that emerged at around the same time as the IT industry itself, has just turned 50 and, according to enterprise applications management company, Micro Focus, despite its age, COBOL still plays a pivotal role in running most of the world’s businesses and public services, from powering almost all global ATM transactions, running nearly three quarters of the world’s business applications, and booking hundreds of holidays every single day.