In COBOL, a record represents a ___________ data structure.
- Hierarchical
- Linear
- Relational
- Sequential
In COBOL, a record represents a Sequential data structure. Sequential records are stored one after the other, and each record contains fields that represent the data elements in a specific order.
In COBOL, a multi-dimensional array is often referred to as a _____ array.
- COMP
- GROUP
- INDEX
- OCCURS
In COBOL, when you define a multi-dimensional array, you use the OCCURS clause to specify the number of occurrences for each dimension. This creates a matrix-like structure, often referred to as an OCCURS array.
You are tasked with implementing a COBOL program that calculates employee bonuses based on performance ratings. Which COBOL statement or construct from the Procedure Division would you use for this task?
- EVALUATE statement
- INITIALIZE statement
- PERFORM...THRU
- SEARCH statement
The EVALUATE statement in COBOL is suitable for handling multiple conditions, making it ideal for calculating employee bonuses based on various performance ratings. It allows for a structured way to evaluate different conditions and execute corresponding code blocks.
Which COBOL statement is used to raise an exception explicitly in a program?
- DISPLAY
- MOVE
- PERFORM
- SIGNAL
The SIGNAL statement in COBOL is used to raise an exception explicitly in a program. It is used to indicate abnormal conditions that need special handling.
How can duplicate records in a COBOL file be identified?
- By comparing each record with a master file
- By performing a sequential search in the file
- By using the DUPLICATES phrase in the SELECT statement
- By utilizing the ALTERNATE KEY clause
Duplicate records in a COBOL file can be identified by using the DUPLICATES phrase in the SELECT statement. This allows the program to detect and handle records with identical key values efficiently.
What is the primary purpose of the COBOL Procedure Division?
- To declare data elements
- To define the file structure
- To handle program termination
- To specify the processing logic for the program
The COBOL Procedure Division is used to specify the processing logic for the program. It contains the statements that define the sequence of operations to be performed during program execution.
In COBOL, what is the primary purpose of the "NOT ON EXCEPTION" clause?
- To ensure that exceptions are handled only once
- To exclude specific exceptions from being handled
- To force the program to terminate on any exception
- To handle exceptions that do not match the specified conditions
The "NOT ON EXCEPTION" clause in COBOL is used to exclude specific exceptions from being handled by the associated exception-handling routine. It allows for fine-grained control over exception handling, ensuring that only relevant exceptions are processed while others are ignored.
What are the common methods for handling database errors in a COBOL program?
- Ignoring errors for better performance
- Manual logging of errors in a separate file
- Use of SQLCODE and SQLSTATE
- Using only COBOL DISPLAY statements
In COBOL, handling database errors involves checking SQLCODE and SQLSTATE after each SQL operation. These codes provide information about the success or failure of the database operation and help in implementing appropriate error-handling logic.
Explain the concept of "nested scope" in COBOL with an example.
- It allows variables to be shared across all program blocks
- It limits the visibility of variables to the outermost program block
- It restricts the use of variables to the main program only
- Nested scope refers to the ability to define variables within inner program blocks that are only visible within those blocks
In COBOL, nested scope allows the definition of variables within inner program blocks, making them visible only within those blocks. For example, declaring variables inside a paragraph or a SECTION creates a nested scope.
When an exception occurs during file processing in COBOL, the associated error code can be found in the special register called _____.
- ERROR-CODE
- EXCEPTION-STATUS
- FILE-STATUS
- STATUS-CODE
In COBOL, when an exception occurs during file processing, the associated error code can be found in the special register called FILE-STATUS. Programmers can inspect this register to determine the nature of the error.