When using the MOVE statement in COBOL, what happens if the source field is larger than the receiving field?
- An error is generated, and the program terminates
- The MOVE statement automatically resizes the receiving field to match the source field
- The MOVE statement ignores the excess characters in the source field
- Truncation occurs, and only the leftmost characters that fit in the receiving field are moved
In COBOL, if the source field is larger than the receiving field during the MOVE statement, truncation occurs. Only the leftmost characters that fit in the receiving field will be moved, and the excess characters are ignored. It's essential to ensure field sizes match or handle truncation appropriately.
In COBOL, the ____________ operation can be used to efficiently merge and process large sorted files.
- Add
- Merge
- Merge-Sort
- SORT
The SORT verb in COBOL is used for sorting files. It efficiently merges and processes large sorted files, ensuring data integrity and facilitating various operations like merging, copying, and rearranging records.
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.
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.
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.
How do you handle record updates and deletions in an indexed file system like VSAM using COBOL?
- Use the DELETE verb for record deletion and the WRITE verb for record updates.
- Use the READ verb with UPDATE option for record updates and DELETE for record deletions.
- Use the MODIFY statement for both record updates and deletions.
- Use the REWRITE verb for record updates and DELETE verb for record deletions.
In VSAM and other indexed file systems, the READ verb with UPDATE option is used for record updates, and DELETE verb is used for record deletions. The MODIFY statement is not used for direct updates or deletions in this context.
When implementing error handling, what are the advantages of using the "HANDLE CONDITION" phrase?
- Avoids the need for error handling altogether
- Optimizes program performance
- Provides a centralized mechanism to handle multiple exceptions
- Simplifies the debugging process
The "HANDLE CONDITION" phrase in COBOL provides a centralized mechanism for handling multiple exceptions. It allows the program to define specific actions for different error conditions, improving code readability and maintainability.
When using intrinsic functions, what is the result of the FUNCTION NUMVAL("123.45") in COBOL?
- 0
- 123.45
- 12345
- Error
The FUNCTION NUMVAL("123.45") in COBOL returns the numeric value 123.45 after converting the given alphanumeric string into a numeric format.
How can you efficiently navigate through a file containing variable-length records in COBOL?
- Implement the READ NEXT RECORD statement
- Use the RELATIVE key in the file control entry
- Utilize the NEXT RECORD statement
- Utilize the RECORD CONTAINS clause
In COBOL, the efficient navigation through a file with variable-length records is achieved using the READ NEXT RECORD statement. This statement reads the next record in the file, regardless of its length, allowing seamless traversal.
You are working on a complex COBOL project with multiple programs. Which clause or method would you use to ensure that a particular variable can be accessed by all programs in the project?
- COMMON-LINKAGE section
- EXPORT statement
- External clause
- Global clause
In COBOL, you can ensure that a variable is accessible by all programs in a project by defining it in the COMMON-LINKAGE section. This section contains variables that are shared among all programs in the project, allowing them to exchange data.
In a relative file, records are identified by their _____, which is an integer value.
- Index Key
- Prime Key
- Record Key
- Relative Key
In a relative file, records are identified by their Relative Key, which is an integer value assigned to each record. This key is used to directly access records based on their relative position in the file.
The "ON EXCEPTION" phrase can be used to specify the _____ that should be taken when a specific exception condition is encountered.
- Action or actions
- Condition code
- Procedure division
- State transition
The "ON EXCEPTION" phrase in COBOL allows you to specify the action or actions to be taken when a specific exception condition is encountered during program execution. This facilitates the handling of errors and exceptions in a structured manner.