You are developing a COBOL program to read data from a file sequentially. Which file control verb should you use to open the file?
- CLOSE
- OPEN
- READ
- WRITE
In COBOL, the OPEN verb is used to open a file before reading from or writing to it in a program. This verb establishes the connection between the COBOL program and the external file, allowing subsequent READ or WRITE operations.
In a COBOL program, what file organization is typically used for master files in a database system?
- Dynamic
- Indexed
- Relative
- Sequential
Indexed file organization is typically used for master files in a database system in COBOL. It allows for efficient random access based on a key field, making it suitable for scenarios where records need to be retrieved directly by their key values.
The "I-O" file access mode allows both _____ and _____ operations on a file in COBOL.
- Appending, Renaming
- Closing, Opening
- Reading, Writing
- Updating, Deleting
The "I-O" (Input-Output) file access mode in COBOL allows both reading and writing operations on a file. It enables a program to perform a combination of input and output operations on the same file.
What is the significance of the RECORD KEY clause when defining VSAM and ISAM files in COBOL?
- It defines the length of each record in the file
- It identifies the field used as a key to uniquely identify records in the file
- It indicates the position of the record within the file
- It specifies the physical location of the file on the disk
The RECORD KEY clause in COBOL is significant when defining VSAM and ISAM files as it identifies the field used as a key to uniquely identify records in the file. This key is essential for direct access to specific records.
You are developing a COBOL application that requires modeling real-world entities and their relationships. Which Object-Oriented COBOL concept would you use to achieve this?
- Abstract Data Types
- Encapsulation
- Inheritance
- Polymorphism
In Object-Oriented COBOL, Inheritance is used to model real-world entities and their relationships. It allows a class to inherit attributes and behaviors from another class, promoting code reusability and representing an "is-a" relationship.
In a COBOL application that manages inventory data, you encounter a situation where multiple entries with the same product code exist. How would you handle these duplicate records to calculate accurate inventory quantities?
- Implement a COBOL program to aggregate quantities for each product code
- Sort the inventory data based on product codes to identify duplicates
- Use a database query to identify and merge duplicate entries
- Utilize a COBOL array to store unique product codes and their quantities
Utilizing a COBOL array to store unique product codes and their quantities is an effective approach. This allows for easy comparison and aggregation, ensuring accurate inventory quantities for each product code in the COBOL application.
In error handling, what is the purpose of the EXIT statement's numeric operand?
- It defines the error message
- It designates the exit level
- It indicates the severity of the error
- It specifies the file status code
The numeric operand in the EXIT statement designates the exit level. It helps control the flow of execution by specifying the level at which the program should terminate in the event of an error.
How can you handle decimal point alignment when performing arithmetic operations on packed decimal fields?
- By adjusting the decimal places in the PICTURE clause
- By using the DISPLAY format
- By using the USAGE IS DISPLAY clause
- By using the USAGE IS PACKED-DECIMAL clause
Decimal point alignment in packed decimal fields is managed by adjusting the decimal places in the PICTURE clause. This ensures that arithmetic operations on packed decimal fields maintain proper alignment and precision.
What is the significance of the INPUT PROCEDURE in a COBOL SORT statement?
- Defines the criteria for output record selection
- Provides a procedure to be executed before sorting starts
- Specifies the condition to be met for input records
- Specifies the output file for sorted records
The INPUT PROCEDURE in a COBOL SORT statement allows the programmer to specify a procedure that will be executed before the sorting process begins. It is commonly used for tasks such as data manipulation or validation before sorting.
When defining an array or table in COBOL, you must specify the _____ of elements it can hold.
- INDEX
- OCCURS
- RANGE
- SIZE
When defining an array or table in COBOL, the OCCURS clause is used to specify the number of elements it can hold. It determines the size or occurrence of the table, indicating how many times a data item should repeat.