In COBOL, the "UNSTRING" statement can generate an "OVERFLOW" exception if the result field is _____.
- Declared as a numeric field
- Defined without a USAGE clause
- Missing the "END-UNSTRING" delimiter
- Not large enough to accommodate the extracted data
If the result field in the "UNSTRING" statement is not large enough to accommodate the extracted data, an "OVERFLOW" exception can be generated. This occurs when the target field is insufficient to hold the result of the string manipulation operation.
In COBOL, _____ recursion refers to a situation where a subprogram calls itself directly or indirectly.
- Direct
- Indirect
- Nested
- Recursive
Recursive recursion in COBOL occurs when a subprogram calls itself, either directly or indirectly. This technique is often used for tasks that can be broken down into smaller, similar tasks, allowing for a more modular and elegant programming approach.
How do you define a nested group data item in COBOL?
- By defining data items within another group data item
- By specifying the USAGE IS POINTER clause
- By using the OCCURS clause
- By using the REDEFINES clause
Nested group data items in COBOL are defined by including data items within another group data item. This allows for hierarchical structuring of data, enabling easier organization and manipulation of complex data structures.
In COBOL, what is the purpose of the PERFORM statement?
- To declare a paragraph
- To define a section
- To execute a set of statements repeatedly
- To initialize variables
The PERFORM statement in COBOL is used to execute a set of statements repeatedly. It provides a way to create loops and control the flow of execution within the program.
What challenges might you encounter when processing variable-length records in COBOL programs?
- Difficulty in determining the end of each record
- Increased storage requirements
- Inefficient data retrieval
- Limited support in certain file systems
Processing variable-length records in COBOL programs may pose challenges, such as difficulty in determining the end of each record. Unlike fixed-length records, the varying lengths require additional considerations to identify the boundaries of individual records.
When using the "EVALUATE" statement in COBOL, what is the purpose of the "WHEN OTHER" condition?
- To indicate the end of the "EVALUATE" block
- To specify an alternate condition if none of the preceding conditions is true
- To terminate the evaluation process
- To trigger an error if no condition is met
The "WHEN OTHER" condition in the "EVALUATE" statement serves as a catch-all condition. It is executed if none of the preceding conditions evaluates to true, providing a default action or handling unexpected situations.
Which SQL statement is used in COBOL to retrieve data from a database table?
- DELETE
- INSERT
- SELECT
- UPDATE
The SELECT statement is used in COBOL programs to retrieve data from one or more tables in a database. It allows specifying the columns to be retrieved and conditions for filtering data, enabling the extraction of specific information from the database.
The ________ clause in the FILE CONTROL paragraph is used to specify the organization of a file.
- ACCESS
- FILE
- ORGANIZATION
- RECORD
In the FILE CONTROL paragraph of a COBOL program, the ORGANIZATION clause is used to specify the organization of a file. It defines how the records within the file are structured and stored, such as SEQUENTIAL or INDEXED.
In COBOL, the _____ clause is used to define a variable with a scope limited to a specific paragraph or section.
- FILE
- LINKAGE
- LOCAL-STORAGE
- WORKING-STORAGE
In COBOL, the LOCAL-STORAGE clause is used to define a variable with a scope limited to a specific paragraph or section. Variables declared under LOCAL-STORAGE are accessible only within the specific paragraph or section where they are defined.
What is the purpose of the COBOL Data Division?
- To declare variables for arithmetic operations
- To define the data items used in the program
- To handle file input and output
- To specify the sequence of program execution
The COBOL Data Division is used to define the data items that the program uses. It includes the description of variables, constants, and records necessary for processing data in the program.