When a subprogram is called, the control returns to the _____ program after the subprogram execution is complete.
- Called
- Caller
- Child
- Parent
In COBOL, after the execution of a subprogram is complete, control returns to the calling program. The calling program is often referred to as the caller, and this mechanism allows for the integration of modular and reusable code.
Which arithmetic operator is used to perform subtraction in COBOL?
- * (Multiply)
- + (Plus)
- - (Minus)
- / (Divide)
The subtraction operation in COBOL is represented by the minus (-) operator. It is used to subtract one numeric value from another in COBOL programs.
In COBOL, the REDEFINES clause is often used to share memory space between two data items with different _____
- Data Types
- Lengths
- Names
- Values
The REDEFINES clause in COBOL allows two or more data items to share the same memory space, but it's crucial that the redefined data items have the same starting lengths to avoid conflicts in memory allocation.
The ________ feature in VSAM allows you to access records directly by their key, improving retrieval speed.
- Direct Access
- Dynamic Access
- Indexed Access
- Sequential Access
The Direct Access feature in VSAM enables the direct retrieval of records based on their key, enhancing retrieval speed compared to sequential access methods. It is particularly useful when you need quick access to specific records without scanning the entire file sequentially.
Your COBOL program interacts with external devices, and you want to handle errors gracefully without abruptly ending the program. Which statement is suitable for this scenario?
- CONTINUE
- EXIT PROGRAM
- HANDLE EXCEPTION
- STOP RUN
In this scenario, the CONTINUE statement is appropriate for handling errors gracefully without abruptly ending the COBOL program. It allows the program to proceed with the next statement, facilitating controlled error handling.
You are developing a COBOL program that reads data from an existing file and updates specific records. Which file access mode should you choose for this operation?
- EXTEND
- I-O
- INPUT
- OUTPUT
In this scenario, the correct file access mode is I-O (Input-Output). This mode allows both reading and updating of records in an existing file. It is suitable for situations where data needs to be read and modified within the same program.
When should you use the "Output" file access mode in COBOL?
- To perform both read and write operations on the file
- To read records sequentially from the file
- To update records in the file
- To write records to the file
The "Output" file access mode in COBOL is used when you want to write records to the file. It allows the program to add new records to the file but does not allow reading or updating of existing records.
In COBOL, what does the MERGE statement allow you to do with files?
- Combine two or more sorted files into a single sorted file
- Concatenate multiple files without sorting
- Merge two files with different record structures
- Separate a file into multiple smaller files
The MERGE statement in COBOL allows you to combine two or more sorted files into a single sorted file. It is useful for merging data from different sources while maintaining the sorted order.
In COBOL, which clause is commonly used to establish a connection to a database?
- EXEC SQL CONNECT
- FILE SECTION
- LINKAGE SECTION
- WORKING-STORAGE SECTION
The EXEC SQL CONNECT clause in COBOL is commonly used to establish a connection to a database. It initiates communication between the COBOL program and the specified database, allowing for subsequent SQL operations.
What is a COBOL constant?
- A reserved word in COBOL
- A subroutine in COBOL
- A value that remains unchanged during the execution of the program
- A variable with a changing value
In COBOL, a constant is a value that remains unchanged during the execution of the program. It is typically used for storing fixed values like literals or predefined constants, providing a way to assign fixed data to variables.