COBOL provides _______ verbs for VSAM and ISAM file handling to open, close, read, and write records.
- FILE-CONTROL
- I-O
- SORT
- STOP RUN
COBOL provides I-O (Input-Output) verbs for VSAM and ISAM file handling. These verbs, such as OPEN, CLOSE, READ, WRITE, and others, are used to perform various file operations.
In COBOL, what is the purpose of a level-number when defining group data items?
- To control the scope of the data item
- To identify the data item as a group or elementary item
- To indicate the level of nesting in the group hierarchy
- To specify the physical length of the data item
The level-number in COBOL is used to distinguish between group-level and elementary-level data items. A level-number of 01 indicates an elementary item, while higher-level numbers indicate a group item.
When should you typically start debugging a COBOL program?
- After the program is fully coded
- After the program is tested
- Before coding begins
- During program design
Debugging in COBOL typically starts after the program is coded. It involves identifying and fixing errors in the code to ensure that the program functions as intended during testing and execution.
What is the purpose of debugging in COBOL programming?
- To enhance the program's functionality
- To generate test data
- To identify and correct errors or defects in the program
- To speed up program execution
The primary purpose of debugging in COBOL programming is to identify and correct errors or defects in the program. It involves the process of finding and fixing mistakes that prevent the program from running correctly.
COBOL programs often use the _____ section to define the structure of data retrieved from a database.
- DATA
- FILE
- LINKAGE
- WORKING-STORAGE
In COBOL, the WORKING-STORAGE section is commonly used to define the structure of data retrieved from a database. It includes variables that hold data during program execution.
When dealing with duplicate records in COBOL files, what are some common techniques for identifying duplicates?
- Comparing key fields
- Ignoring duplicates during file processing
- Using SORT and MERGE operations
- Utilizing COBOL intrinsic functions
One common technique for identifying duplicate records is comparing key fields. By comparing specific fields within the records, you can identify duplicates based on the values in those fields. This is often done using logic within the COBOL program.
In a COBOL program for a bank, you need to determine the account type and apply specific rules based on the account type (e.g., savings, checking, or credit card). Which conditional statement is best suited for this complex decision-making process?
- CASE
- EVALUATE
- IF...ELSE
- INSPECT
The EVALUATE statement in COBOL is ideal for handling complex decision-making with multiple conditions, making it suitable for determining account types and applying specific rules in a bank program.
When a data item is defined with the OCCURS clause and a DEPENDING ON phrase, the actual number of occurrences is determined at ____________.
- Compile time
- Declaration time
- Execution time
- Initialization time
The actual number of occurrences for an OCCURS clause with a DEPENDING ON phrase is determined at execution time, not during compilation. The DEPENDING ON phrase allows the size to be specified dynamically during program execution.
When performing date arithmetic in COBOL, you often use the _____ verb.
- ADD
- COMPUTE
- DIVIDE
- MULTIPLY
When performing date arithmetic in COBOL, the COMPUTE verb is commonly used. It allows for the manipulation of date fields, facilitating calculations involving days, months, and years.
When defining an indexed file in COBOL, what information is typically included in the file's SELECT statement?
- FILE STATUS clause, DATA RECORD clause, FILE-CONTROL paragraph, and ACCESS mode
- FILE STATUS clause, RECORD clause, ACCESS mode, and ORGANIZATION mode
- FILE STATUS clause, RECORD clause, FILE-CONTROL paragraph, and ACCESS mode
- RECORD clause, ORGANIZATION mode, ACCESS mode, and INDEXED BY clause
The SELECT statement for an indexed file in COBOL typically includes the FILE STATUS clause for error handling, the RECORD clause for specifying the structure of records, the FILE-CONTROL paragraph to manage file attributes, and the ACCESS mode to indicate sequential or random access.
In Object-Oriented COBOL, what is polymorphism, and how is it implemented?
- By controlling program execution
- By defining the size and type of data
- By optimizing memory usage
- Polymorphism allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common superclass. It's implemented through method overloading and overriding.
Polymorphism in Object-Oriented COBOL allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common superclass. It is implemented through method overloading (multiple methods with the same name but different parameters) and overriding (redefining a method in a subclass). This promotes flexibility and enhances code readability.
The _____ function in COBOL is used for calculating the number of days between two dates.
- FUNCTION CURRENT-DATE
- FUNCTION DATE-DIFF
- FUNCTION DAY-COUNTER
- FUNCTION NUMVAL
In COBOL, the FUNCTION DATE-DIFF is used to calculate the difference in days between two dates. It is valuable for tasks such as determining the duration between two events.