Which of the following programming languages is commonly used for business applications?

COBOL, which stands for Common Business-Oriented Language, is a programming language specifically designed for business applications. It excels in processing large volumes of data and is often used in transaction processing systems, payroll, and other business-critical applications. Because of its longevity and focus on business functionalities, COBOL remains prevalent in many financial institutions and government agencies. Its ability to handle batch processing tasks and its strong support for procedural programming make it particularly well-suited for enterprise-level applications.

While other languages, such as JavaScript, Python, and PHP, are widely used in various contexts, they do not have the same historical significance and specialized focus on business environments as COBOL does. JavaScript is primarily used for web development, Python is popular for various applications including data analysis, and PHP is often used for server-side web development. Each of these languages has its strengths, but COBOL is specifically tailored for the demands and complexities of business applications, reinforcing its status as the correct answer in this context.