In COBOL, the ________ clause can be used with the OPEN verb to specify the file access mode.
- ACCESS MODE
- FILE MODE
- MODE
- OPEN MODE
The ACCESS MODE clause in COBOL is used with the OPEN verb to specify the file access mode. It determines how the program interacts with the file during input and output operations, such as INPUT, OUTPUT, or I-O (input-output).
When an error is handled using the "CONTINUE" statement, the program _____ executing the next statement after the error.
- Halts
- Restarts
- Resumes
- Skips
When an error is handled using the "CONTINUE" statement in COBOL, the program resumes executing the next statement after the error. The "CONTINUE" statement allows the program to proceed without being terminated by the error.
What is a COBOL group data item?
- A data item defined at the group level in COBOL
- A data item that groups multiple values together
- A data item that only contains elementary items
- A data item with a picture clause
A COBOL group data item is defined at the group level and serves as a container for other data items. It can include both elementary and other group data items, providing a way to structure and organize related data in a program.
In COBOL, what is the LEVEL number used for in the data description entry (FD)?
- To assign a priority level to the data item
- To define the number of occurrences in an OCCURS clause
- To indicate the level of nesting in nested programs
- To specify the hierarchy of a record
The LEVEL number in COBOL's FD (File Description) entry is used to specify the hierarchy or level of a record. It indicates the position of a data item in the hierarchy of the record structure.
When working with indexed files, what is the purpose of the "alternate key" in performance optimization?
- To act as a backup key in case of primary key failure
- To add redundancy to the index file
- To improve search and retrieval performance
- To provide an alternative method for sorting the file
The "alternate key" in indexed files serves to enhance search and retrieval performance by providing an alternative means of accessing data. It allows for efficient retrieval based on criteria other than the primary key, optimizing file access.
What is the purpose of the "Input" 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 "Input" file access mode in COBOL is used to read records sequentially from the file. It allows the program to retrieve data from the file but does not permit any changes or additions to the file.
What is the significance of using the CURRENT-DATE special register in COBOL?
- It is a placeholder for future date and time calculations
- It is used to declare variables for date and time storage
- It retrieves the system date and time during program execution
- It stores the current date and time when the program is compiled
The CURRENT-DATE special register in COBOL is used to retrieve the current system date and time during program execution. It provides a standardized way to access real-time information for various date-related operations.
What is the purpose of exception handling in COBOL file processing?
- To ignore errors and continue file processing
- To manage and respond to unexpected situations or errors that may occur during file operations
- To speed up file processing operations
- To terminate the program in case of any file-related issues
Exception handling in COBOL file processing allows programs to gracefully respond to unexpected situations or errors, ensuring a more robust and reliable file processing mechanism. It involves capturing and responding to errors to prevent program termination.
The MOVE statement in COBOL is primarily used for _____ data between variables.
- Assigning
- Copying
- Initializing
- Transferring
The MOVE statement in COBOL is used for copying data from one variable to another. It doesn't imply any arithmetic or transformation; it simply duplicates the content of one variable into another.
You are designing a COBOL program to calculate the factorial of a number using a recursive subprogram. Which type of recursion is involved in this scenario?
- Direct Recursion
- Indirect Recursion
- Mutual Recursion
- Tail Recursion
In this scenario, Mutual Recursion is involved when two or more subprograms call each other to calculate the factorial. It creates a cycle of calls among the subprograms.