In COBOL, what is the primary purpose of using VSAM and ISAM files?
- To enhance portability of COBOL programs
- To facilitate easy indexing of records
- To provide direct access to records based on key values
- To store only sequential data efficiently
The primary purpose of using VSAM (Virtual Storage Access Method) and ISAM (Indexed Sequential Access Method) files in COBOL is to provide direct access to records based on key values. This enables efficient retrieval and manipulation of specific records in a file.
The _____ clause in COBOL allows you to specify an alternative action to be taken when a file operation results in an exception.
- ALTERNATE RECORD
- EXCEPTION HANDLING
- EXCEPTION PROCEDURE
- INVALID KEY
In COBOL, the "INVALID KEY" clause is used to specify an alternative action to be taken when a file operation results in an exception. It provides a way to handle errors and take appropriate measures to ensure smooth program execution.
When using the MERGE statement, both input files must be _____ in ascending or descending order based on the merge criteria.
- INDEXED
- RANDOM
- SEQUENTIAL
- SORTED
When using the MERGE statement in COBOL, it is essential that both input files are sorted either in ascending or descending order based on the merge criteria. This ensures the effectiveness of the merging process.
In error handling, what does the "CONTINUE" statement typically signify?
- No specific action is taken, and the program continues with the next statement
- The error is logged to a file
- The program rolls back to the previous checkpoint
- The program terminates immediately
In error handling, the "CONTINUE" statement in COBOL signifies that no specific action is taken, and the program continues with the next statement in the normal flow, allowing for graceful handling of errors without disrupting the program execution.
In COBOL, how can you pass data between a calling program and a called subprogram?
- By declaring global variables that can be accessed by both the calling program and the called subprogram.
- By using the ACCEPT and DISPLAY statements.
- By using the CALL statement without any additional clauses.
- By using the LINKAGE SECTION in the called subprogram and the USING clause in the calling program.
Data can be passed between a calling program and a called subprogram in COBOL by defining a LINKAGE SECTION in the called subprogram and using the USING clause in the calling program. This ensures proper communication and sharing of data between the two program units.
You are tasked with parsing and modifying a text field in a COBOL program. Which COBOL statement can help you achieve this?
- INSPECT statement
- PERFORM VARYING statement
- STRING statement
- UNSTRING statement
The UNSTRING statement in COBOL is used for parsing and extracting portions of a text field. It allows you to break down a text field into smaller components based on specified delimiters, enabling you to modify or manipulate the text as needed.
The OPEN verb in COBOL allows you to specify the ________ mode for a file.
- Access
- Organization
- Read
- Write
The OPEN verb in COBOL allows you to specify the Organization mode for a file. This determines how the records in the file are arranged, such as Sequential or Indexed.
How can you efficiently remove duplicate records from a COBOL file while preserving data integrity?
- Ignoring duplicate records during file reading
- Implementing logic to skip duplicate records during file processing
- Using the COPY statement to create a file without duplicates
- Utilizing the DELETE statement in COBOL
To efficiently remove duplicate records from a COBOL file while preserving data integrity, you can implement logic within your program to skip duplicate records during file processing. This ensures that only unique records are considered, maintaining data integrity.
In a COBOL application, you need to maintain a record of sales transactions for multiple products and store them efficiently. Which type of COBOL data structure would be most suitable for this scenario, and why?
- Array
- Both Array and Table
- Neither Array nor Table
- Table
A table in COBOL would be the preferred choice for maintaining sales transactions for multiple products. A table allows for easy expansion to accommodate new products without requiring modifications to the program structure, providing a scalable and efficient solution.
You are developing a COBOL application to read and process data from a CSV file. Which COBOL Procedure Division statement(s) would be essential in this scenario?
- ACCEPT statement
- OPEN INPUT/OUTPUT
- PARSE statement
- READ...AT END
The PARSE statement in COBOL is essential for processing CSV files. It allows you to break down a delimited input record into individual fields, making it suitable for handling comma-separated values in the context of reading and processing CSV files.