The MERGE statement in COBOL is often used for _____ files with a common key.
- Combining
- Indexing
- Merging
- Sorting
The MERGE statement in COBOL is used for merging files with a common key. It allows records from multiple sorted input files to be merged into a single sorted output file based on the specified key.
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.
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.
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 Object-Oriented COBOL is a way to define a contract that a class must adhere to, specifying the methods it must implement.
- Encapsulation
- Inheritance
- Interface
- Polymorphism
Interface in Object-Oriented COBOL is a way to define a contract that a class must adhere to, specifying the methods it must implement. It establishes a set of method signatures that must be implemented by any class that implements the interface.
The LEVEL NUMBER in COBOL indicates the ________ of the data item.
- Address
- Hierarchy
- Size
- Type
The LEVEL NUMBER in COBOL indicates the hierarchical level of the data item. It specifies the position of the data item within the data hierarchy, helping in organizing and structuring data.
How is encapsulation achieved in Object-Oriented COBOL?
- By bundling data and methods within a class
- By separating data and procedures
- Through external subroutine calls
- Through the use of global variables
Encapsulation in Object-Oriented COBOL is achieved by bundling data and methods within a class. This means that the internal details of the class, such as data structures and implementation details, are hidden from the outside world, promoting information hiding and reducing complexity.
When performing division in COBOL, which operator should you use?
- *
- +
- -
- /
The forward slash (/) operator is used for division in COBOL. For instance, "DIVIDE operand1 BY operand2 GIVING result." is a division operation in COBOL.
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.
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.
In COBOL, the _____ clause is used to define the data items that are passed as arguments to a subprogram.
- GIVING
- INPUT
- OUTPUT
- USING
The USING clause in COBOL is used to define the data items that are passed as arguments to a subprogram during invocation. It specifies the variables or data areas to be shared between the calling and called programs.
What are some advantages of using VSAM (Virtual Storage Access Method) for indexed file processing in COBOL?
- Efficient random access, support for large datasets, and built-in data integrity features
- High-speed sequential processing, easy integration with external files, and automatic record locking
- Simplicity in implementation, low storage overhead, and compatibility with relational databases
- Simplified data retrieval, compatibility with ASCII encoding, and low processing overhead
VSAM offers advantages such as efficient random access, support for large datasets, and built-in data integrity features, making it suitable for applications that require quick and direct access to specific records in a file.