What is the purpose of the ACCESS MODE clause when defining an indexed file in COBOL?
- DYNAMIC and RANDOM
- RANDOM and SEQUENTIAL
- SEQUENTIAL and DYNAMIC
- SEQUENTIAL only
The ACCESS MODE clause in COBOL specifies how the file will be accessed. RANDOM allows both direct and sequential access, while SEQUENTIAL allows only sequential access. Combining them provides flexibility in file access methods.
In a COBOL program, you need to store data related to multiple sales transactions, each having various attributes. How would you define a suitable data structure for this scenario?
- Defining individual variables for each attribute of a sales transaction
- Employing nested records to capture various attributes within each sales transaction
- Using an array or table structure with OCCURS clause to represent multiple sales transactions
- Utilizing REDEFINES clause to optimize storage for sales transaction data
Using an array or table structure with the OCCURS clause is suitable for handling multiple sales transactions, providing a systematic way to organize and process the data.
What is the primary purpose of using indexed file processing in COBOL, particularly with VSAM or similar systems?
- To ensure data integrity
- To provide faster access to records based on a specific key
- To reduce file storage space
- To simplify file organization
Indexed file processing in COBOL, especially with systems like VSAM, is designed to offer quicker access to records by using an index or key. This enhances retrieval speed, making it suitable for applications where rapid data access is crucial.
Which COBOL statement is used to handle exceptions and errors in the program flow?
- CONTINUE
- EVALUATE
- IF-ELSE
- PERFORM
The "CONTINUE" statement in COBOL is often used in error handling to indicate that no specific action is taken, and the program should continue with the next statement. It is commonly used within the context of error conditions to control program flow.
The "OCCURS" clause in COBOL is often used in conjunction with variable-length records to specify the maximum _____ of records in a group.
- Length
- Number
- Occurrence
- Size
The "OCCURS" clause in COBOL is used to specify the maximum number of occurrences of a group of data items. It is commonly used with arrays or repeating fields to define the size or occurrence of a group.
Explain the concept of file ________ and how it is managed when multiple users access VSAM and ISAM files in COBOL.
- Buffering
- Compression
- Encryption
- Locking
File Buffering is the concept of temporarily storing data in memory to improve access speed when multiple users access VSAM and ISAM files in COBOL. Buffering reduces the need to repeatedly read data from the physical file, enhancing overall performance by utilizing the data stored in memory.
What happens when a CONTINUE statement is encountered during program execution?
- It continues with the next iteration of the loop
- It restarts the program from the beginning
- It terminates the program
- It transfers control to the next paragraph in the procedure division
When a CONTINUE statement is encountered in COBOL, it transfers control to the next paragraph in the procedure division. It is often used for creating empty or dummy paragraphs and does not affect the flow of the program.
You are designing a COBOL program to process sales data. Which type of COBOL data item would you use to group related sales information, such as product code, quantity sold, and total sales amount?
- GROUP
- JUSTIFIED
- OCCURS
- REDEFINES
In COBOL, the GROUP data item is used to structure related data fields together. It allows you to group multiple elementary items under a single name, facilitating the organization of data, such as grouping sales details like product code, quantity, and total sales amount.
During debugging, the _____ statement in COBOL is often used to display variable values and messages.
- ACCEPT
- DISPLAY
- MOVE
- PERFORM
In COBOL, the DISPLAY statement is commonly used during debugging to show variable values and messages. It helps programmers understand the flow and values at different points in the program.
Advanced COBOL programmers may use the _____ construct to improve code readability and maintainability.
- EVALUATE
- GOTO
- PERFORM
- POINTER
The EVALUATE statement in COBOL is a powerful construct that allows advanced programmers to create structured and readable code for complex conditional logic. It is often preferred over nested IF statements for better code organization.