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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
To avoid file locking-related performance bottlenecks, it's important to consider the appropriate use of _______ locks for different file access patterns.
- Database-level
- File-level
- Record-level
- System-level
To optimize performance and avoid bottlenecks, it's crucial to consider the appropriate use of Record-level locks for different file access patterns. Record-level locks restrict access to individual records, allowing multiple users to work with other records concurrently, minimizing contention and improving overall system efficiency.
What are duplicate records in the context of COBOL file handling?
- Records containing errors
- Records marked for deletion
- Records with identical key values in a file
- Records with the same data but different key values
Duplicate records in COBOL file handling refer to those with identical key values. These records are distinguished based on a specified key field, and the duplicates must be managed to avoid data inconsistencies.
You are designing a COBOL program for inventory management, and you need to keep track of each item's stock levels. Explain how you would employ the OCCURS clause with the DEPENDING ON phrase in this scenario.
- Depending On
- Grouping
- Indexing
- Non-indexed
In inventory management, using the OCCURS clause with the DEPENDING ON phrase is suitable. It allows dynamic allocation of storage based on the value of a data item, enabling flexibility in handling varying stock levels for different items.
The _____ data type in COBOL is used for handling variable-length records in files.
- INDEX
- OCCURS
- REDEFINES
- VARYING
The VARYING clause in COBOL is used for handling variable-length records in files. It allows a field to have a variable length based on the actual data stored. This is particularly useful when dealing with records of varying sizes in file processing.
How is a national (Unicode) character data type defined in COBOL?
- COBOL does not support Unicode
- PIC N
- PIC U(10)
- PIC X(10) UNICODE
In COBOL, a national (Unicode) character data type is defined using the PIC N clause. This allows the representation of Unicode characters in the program, ensuring compatibility with international character sets.