How can the FUNCTION LENGTH intrinsic function be used to determine the length of a string in COBOL?
- FUNCTION LENGTH OF STRING-NAME
- FUNCTION LENGTH OF STRING-NAME RETURNING LENGTH-VARIABLE
- FUNCTION LENGTH STRING-NAME
- FUNCTION LENGTH(STRING-NAME)
The correct syntax for using FUNCTION LENGTH to determine the length of a string in COBOL is FUNCTION LENGTH OF STRING-NAME RETURNING LENGTH-VARIABLE. It returns the length of the specified string into the LENGTH-VARIABLE.
In a COBOL program, if you have a numeric data item defined as USAGE COMP-3, what is the effect of applying the REDEFINES clause to it?
- It allows the same data to be referenced using different data descriptions
- It converts the COMP-3 data to COMP data
- It defines a new data item with the same name
- It is not allowed to use REDEFINES with COMP-3
The REDEFINES clause in COBOL allows the same storage space to be referenced using different data descriptions. When applied to a numeric data item with USAGE COMP-3, it enables sharing the same memory location with other data items, potentially of different types.
In COBOL, what are the advantages of using a structured error-handling approach over traditional methods?
- Improved readability, ease of maintenance, and better program control
- Limited support for various types of exceptions
- Minimal impact on program structure
- Reduced program execution speed and increased complexity
A structured error-handling approach in COBOL offers advantages such as improved code readability, ease of maintenance, and better program control. It enhances the overall quality of the program and makes it easier to manage exceptions in a systematic manner.
You receive a runtime error related to file handling in your COBOL program. How would you approach debugging this issue, and what tools or techniques would you use?
- Check file permissions and access rights
- Ignore the error and proceed
- Increase CPU processing speed
- Reinstall COBOL compiler
Runtime errors related to file handling in COBOL programs often stem from issues such as incorrect file permissions, invalid file paths, or file access conflicts. To debug this issue, one would start by checking the file permissions and access rights to ensure the program has the necessary permissions to read from or write to the file. Additionally, examining the file handling code, ensuring proper file open/close operations, and using file monitoring tools or file system debuggers can help identify and resolve file-related runtime errors in COBOL programs.
In COBOL, a _____ is a condition that triggers a temporary stop in program execution for inspection during debugging.
- Breakpoint
- DEBUGGER
- HALT
- STOP RUN
A breakpoint in COBOL is a condition set by the programmer that causes a temporary stop in program execution during debugging. This allows the programmer to inspect variables and control the flow of the program for effective debugging.
In a COBOL program, you need to merge two input files containing sales data for different regions into a single output file, sorted by date. Which COBOL technique should you employ?
- ADD statement
- MERGE statement
- PERFORM...THRU statement
- SEARCH ALL statement
The MERGE statement in COBOL is used for merging two or more sorted input files into a single sorted output file. In this scenario, it would be the appropriate choice to merge sales data from different regions sorted by date.
What is the primary purpose of using the SORT operation in COBOL?
- To arrange data in a specified order based on one or more keys
- To create a new file by merging multiple sorted files
- To perform arithmetic calculations on numeric data
- To remove duplicate records from a file
The SORT operation in COBOL is used to arrange data in a specified order based on one or more keys. It helps in organizing data for efficient retrieval and reporting.
Your project involves designing a system where multiple classes need to adhere to a specific contract and implement certain methods. Which Object-Oriented COBOL feature would be most suitable for this scenario?
- Abstract Classes
- Interfaces
- Multiple Inheritance
- Overloading
In Object-Oriented COBOL, Interfaces are used to define a contract that multiple classes must adhere to by implementing specific methods. This promotes consistency and standardization across classes in a system.
When using the "USE AFTER EXCEPTION" phrase with the READ statement in COBOL, what happens if the exception condition is not encountered?
- The READ statement will be ignored
- The file will be closed automatically
- The next statement after the READ is executed
- The program will terminate with an error
If the exception condition specified by "USE AFTER EXCEPTION" is not encountered during the READ statement execution, the control will pass to the next statement after the READ. It allows the program to continue execution without interruption.
Explain how COBOL handles file locking and multi-user access when using the "I-O" mode.
- COBOL doesn't support file locking
- COBOL implements record-level locking to ensure data integrity
- COBOL restricts access to one user at a time
- COBOL utilizes system-level file locking mechanisms to prevent conflicts
When using the "I-O" mode in COBOL, file locking and multi-user access are typically handled by system-level mechanisms rather than by COBOL itself. COBOL programs can utilize features provided by the operating system to implement file locking and ensure data integrity in multi-user environments.