In COBOL, the "Extend" access mode is used for _____
- Adding new records to a file
- Deleting records from a file
- Modifying existing records
- Reading records sequentially
The "Extend" access mode in COBOL is used for adding new records to a file. When opening a file in "Extend" mode, the file position indicator is set to the end of the file, allowing new records to be appended.
The _____ verb in COBOL is used for assigning values to data items.
- COMPUTE
- INITIALIZE
- MOVE
- SET
In COBOL, the MOVE verb is used for assigning values to data items. It allows you to transfer data from one data item to another.
In COBOL, the _______ clause is used to declare exception conditions that can be raised during program execution.
- ERROR
- EXCEPTION
- INVALID
- ON EXCEPTION
In COBOL, the EXCEPTION clause is used to declare exception conditions. It allows the programmer to specify the actions to be taken when an exceptional situation occurs during program execution.
What does the CLOSE verb with the REEL and UNIT clauses signify when used in COBOL file handling?
- It closes a file and releases resources, specifying the reel and unit information
- It indicates the end of the file
- It is not a valid combination for the CLOSE verb
- It is used to close a magnetic tape file
The CLOSE verb with the REEL and UNIT clauses in COBOL is used to close a file and release associated resources, specifying the reel and unit information for files like magnetic tapes. It ensures proper termination of file processing.
You are coding a COBOL program that reads records from a file until a specific condition is met. Which type of PERFORM loop and termination condition would you use in this scenario, and why?
- PERFORM THRU loop with a condition
- PERFORM UNTIL loop with a condition
- PERFORM VARYING loop with a condition in AFTER clause
- PERFORM WITH TEST BEFORE loop with a condition
A PERFORM UNTIL loop with a condition would be suitable for reading records from a file until a specific condition is met. The PERFORM UNTIL loop iterates until the specified condition becomes true, making it ideal for scenarios where you need to process records until a certain criterion is satisfied.
The REDEFINES clause is particularly useful when dealing with data conversion or changing the _____ of existing data items
- Data Types
- Lengths
- Names
- Values
The REDEFINES clause in COBOL is beneficial for handling data conversion or changing the values of existing data items. It allows for efficient memory utilization and facilitates manipulation of data.
You are developing a COBOL program for processing financial transactions, and you want to ensure that any error during processing is logged and reported. Which COBOL error handling technique would you choose for this scenario?
- EXIT PROGRAM statement
- ON EXCEPTION clause
- STOP RUN statement
- USE AFTER EXCEPTION option
The ON EXCEPTION clause in COBOL is used for handling errors during program execution. It allows you to define a set of actions to be taken when an exception occurs, such as logging and reporting errors in financial transactions.
How does COBOL facilitate the execution of dynamic SQL statements?
- Embedding SQL statements directly in the COBOL source code
- Including SQL statements in a separate file and linking at runtime
- Using the EXEC SQL statement with DECLARE CURSOR
- Utilizing the PREPARE statement to create a SQL statement
COBOL supports the execution of dynamic SQL statements through the PREPARE statement. It allows the program to dynamically create and execute SQL statements at runtime, providing flexibility in handling varying query requirements.
When working with indexed files, the _____ clause is used to specify the key structure.
- INDEXED
- KEYS
- OCCURS
- SORT
The KEYS clause in COBOL is used when working with indexed files to specify the key structure. It defines the fields that make up the index key, facilitating efficient access to records in the indexed file.
When a file operation fails in COBOL, which special register contains the status code that can be checked for specific error conditions?
- ERROR-CODE
- FILE-STATUS
- RETURN-CODE
- STATUS-CODE
The FILE-STATUS special register in COBOL contains the status code that can be checked after a file operation to identify specific error conditions. Programmers can use this information to implement error-handling logic based on the nature of the error.