In COBOL, what happens when you declare a variable in the DATA DIVISION but outside of any specific procedure?
- The variable becomes global and can be accessed by all procedures within the program
- The variable is accessible only within the procedure where it is declared
- The variable is deallocated after each procedure call
- The variable is initialized automatically
When a variable is declared in the DATA DIVISION outside of any specific procedure, it becomes global in scope. This means it can be accessed by all procedures within the program, making it available throughout the program's execution.
How does COBOL handle multi-user access to VSAM and ISAM files, and what are the potential issues?
- COBOL doesn't support multi-user access to VSAM and ISAM files
- COBOL ensures exclusive file access for each user to prevent conflicts
- COBOL relies on external tools for multi-user file access
- COBOL utilizes file locking mechanisms to allow multiple users simultaneous access
COBOL handles multi-user access to VSAM and ISAM files through file locking mechanisms. Potential issues include contention for locks, leading to delays, and the need for careful coordination to avoid conflicts and data inconsistencies.
What does the CLOSE verb with the REEL and UNIT clauses signify when used in COBOL file handling?
- It closes a file and releases resources, specifying the reel and unit information
- It indicates the end of the file
- It is not a valid combination for the CLOSE verb
- It is used to close a magnetic tape file
The CLOSE verb with the REEL and UNIT clauses in COBOL is used to close a file and release associated resources, specifying the reel and unit information for files like magnetic tapes. It ensures proper termination of file processing.
In COBOL, the _______ clause is used to declare exception conditions that can be raised during program execution.
- ERROR
- EXCEPTION
- INVALID
- ON EXCEPTION
In COBOL, the EXCEPTION clause is used to declare exception conditions. It allows the programmer to specify the actions to be taken when an exceptional situation occurs during program execution.
The _____ verb in COBOL is used for assigning values to data items.
- COMPUTE
- INITIALIZE
- MOVE
- SET
In COBOL, the MOVE verb is used for assigning values to data items. It allows you to transfer data from one data item to another.
In COBOL, the "Extend" access mode is used for _____
- Adding new records to a file
- Deleting records from a file
- Modifying existing records
- Reading records sequentially
The "Extend" access mode in COBOL is used for adding new records to a file. When opening a file in "Extend" mode, the file position indicator is set to the end of the file, allowing new records to be appended.
The "WHEN OTHER" condition in the "EVALUATE" statement is similar to the "OTHERWISE" clause in a _____ statement.
- CASE
- IF
- PERFORM
- SELECT
The "WHEN OTHER" condition in the "EVALUATE" statement functions similarly to the "OTHERWISE" clause in a "CASE" statement. It captures any conditions not explicitly specified in preceding "WHEN" clauses, providing a default action.
What is the difference between a procedure and a function in COBOL?
- A procedure can only be called within the same program, while a function can be used across programs
- A procedure cannot have parameters, while a function can have parameters
- A procedure does not return a value, while a function returns a value
- A procedure is defined using the PROCEDURE DIVISION, while a function is defined in the DATA DIVISION
In COBOL, a procedure is a set of statements that perform a specific task but does not return a value. On the other hand, a function is a subprogram that returns a value to the calling program. Understanding this distinction is crucial for designing modular and reusable code.
When working with indexed files, the _____ clause is used to specify the key structure.
- INDEXED
- KEYS
- OCCURS
- SORT
The KEYS clause in COBOL is used when working with indexed files to specify the key structure. It defines the fields that make up the index key, facilitating efficient access to records in the indexed file.
How does COBOL facilitate the execution of dynamic SQL statements?
- Embedding SQL statements directly in the COBOL source code
- Including SQL statements in a separate file and linking at runtime
- Using the EXEC SQL statement with DECLARE CURSOR
- Utilizing the PREPARE statement to create a SQL statement
COBOL supports the execution of dynamic SQL statements through the PREPARE statement. It allows the program to dynamically create and execute SQL statements at runtime, providing flexibility in handling varying query requirements.
You are developing a COBOL program for processing financial transactions, and you want to ensure that any error during processing is logged and reported. Which COBOL error handling technique would you choose for this scenario?
- EXIT PROGRAM statement
- ON EXCEPTION clause
- STOP RUN statement
- USE AFTER EXCEPTION option
The ON EXCEPTION clause in COBOL is used for handling errors during program execution. It allows you to define a set of actions to be taken when an exception occurs, such as logging and reporting errors in financial transactions.
The REDEFINES clause is particularly useful when dealing with data conversion or changing the _____ of existing data items
- Data Types
- Lengths
- Names
- Values
The REDEFINES clause in COBOL is beneficial for handling data conversion or changing the values of existing data items. It allows for efficient memory utilization and facilitates manipulation of data.