What is the difference between the LOCAL-STORAGE and WORKING-STORAGE sections in COBOL in terms of variable scope?
- There is no difference; both sections serve the same purpose
- Variables declared in the LOCAL-STORAGE section are automatically initialized, while variables in the WORKING-STORAGE section are not
- Variables declared in the LOCAL-STORAGE section have program scope, while variables in the WORKING-STORAGE section have procedure scope
- Variables declared in the WORKING-STORAGE section have program scope, while variables in the LOCAL-STORAGE section have procedure scope
The primary difference between the LOCAL-STORAGE and WORKING-STORAGE sections in COBOL is the scope of the variables declared within them. Variables declared in the WORKING-STORAGE section have program scope, meaning they are accessible to all procedures within the program. On the other hand, variables declared in the LOCAL-STORAGE section have procedure scope, meaning they are only accessible within the specific procedure where they are declared.
Which data type in COBOL is suitable for representing textual information?
- BOOLEAN
- CHARACTER
- DECIMAL
- INTEGER
The CHARACTER data type in COBOL is used for representing textual information, such as letters, numbers, and symbols.
In COBOL, what is the purpose of the "ENVIRONMENT DIVISION"?
- Contains the procedures and logic of the program
- Declares the data items used in the program
- Defines the working storage section
- Specifies the file structure and access mode for all files used in the program
The "ENVIRONMENT DIVISION" in COBOL is responsible for specifying the file structure and access mode for all files used in the program. It sets up the environment for the program's execution by providing information about the files it will use.
You are working on a mission-critical COBOL program for a banking application. During testing, an unexpected error occurs. Which statement should you use to gracefully handle this error without terminating the program?
- CONTINUE
- EXIT METHOD
- EXIT PROGRAM
- STOP RUN
In this scenario, the CONTINUE statement in COBOL is used to gracefully handle errors without terminating the program. It allows the program to proceed with the next statement, providing a mechanism for error handling without program termination.
In COBOL, file locking is essential to prevent _______ conflicts when multiple users access the same file concurrently.
- Access
- Data
- Resource
- System
File locking in COBOL is crucial to prevent resource conflicts when multiple users attempt to access the same file simultaneously. It ensures data integrity and prevents issues such as data corruption or inconsistency due to concurrent access.
You are designing a COBOL program to manage a customer database. What file organization would you choose for the master file to allow efficient random access to customer records?
- Indexed
- Line Sequential
- Relative
- Sequential
For efficient random access, an Indexed file organization is suitable for a master file in COBOL. It uses an index to allow direct access to records based on a key, optimizing retrieval times.
When working with packed decimal fields in COBOL, you can use the _____ clause to specify the number of decimal places.
- COMP-3
- DISPLAY
- PICTURE
- USAGE
In COBOL, the USAGE clause is used to define the format of numeric data items. COMP-3 is the usage clause for packed decimal, and it allows you to specify the number of decimal places for the field.
You are developing a COBOL application that handles a large inventory database accessed by multiple users. What type of file locking strategy would you recommend to ensure data integrity while allowing concurrent reads?
- File-level locking
- No locking is needed for concurrent reads
- Record-level locking
- Table-based locking
For ensuring data integrity while allowing concurrent reads in a large inventory database, file-level locking is recommended. File-level locking ensures that the entire file is locked for write operations, preventing conflicts during updates.
When using the "I-O" access mode, what operations can be performed on a file?
- Both reading and writing operations
- Neither reading nor writing operations
- Only reading operations
- Only writing operations
The "I-O" (Input-Output) access mode in COBOL allows both reading and writing operations on a file. It is used when a program needs to perform both input and output operations on the same file.
Explain the concept of "dynamic scope" in COBOL and how it affects variable visibility.
- Dynamic scope allows variables to be visible based on the program execution path
- Dynamic scope in COBOL is not supported
- Dynamic scope is related to runtime memory allocation
- Dynamic scope is used for handling errors dynamically
In COBOL, dynamic scope refers to the visibility of variables based on the program's execution path. Variables can be accessed based on the sequence of program calls during runtime, affecting their visibility and accessibility. This dynamic behavior is essential in certain program structures and scenarios.