You have a COBOL program that reads data from a binary file and processes it. Which clause, including the REDEFINES clause, would you use to reinterpret binary data as a more human-readable format for reporting purposes?
- REDEFINES clause with 88-level condition names
- REDEFINES clause with OCCURS clause
- REDEFINES clause with a separate data structure
- USAGE DISPLAY clause
To reinterpret binary data for reporting, you would use the REDEFINES clause in conjunction with a separate data structure. This allows you to overlay the binary data with a structure that represents it in a more human-readable format for reporting purposes.
The _____ clause is used to specify the level number of a data item in COBOL.
- DATA
- LEVEL
- OCCURS
- PICTURE
The LEVEL clause in COBOL is used to specify the level number of a data item. It indicates the hierarchical level of the data item within the data hierarchy.
In COBOL, how is the REDEFINES clause used to redefine data items?
- By assigning a new value to the redefined item
- By changing the data type of the redefined item
- By specifying a new name for the data item being redefined
- By specifying a new size for the redefined item
In COBOL, the REDEFINES clause is used by specifying a new name for the data item being redefined. This allows the new name to share the storage space of the original data item.
When using the ENTRY statement in COBOL, variables declared in the called program have a _____ scope.
- COMMON
- GLOBAL
- LOCAL
- SHARED
When using the ENTRY statement in COBOL, variables declared in the called program have a LOCAL scope. This means that they are local to the called program and are not accessible from the calling program or other programs.
When working with an OCCURS clause in COBOL, what does the INDEXED BY phrase allow you to do?
- Associate an index with an OCCURS clause to reference individual occurrences
- Define the initial value of an OCCURS clause
- Determine the data type of the OCCURS clause
- Specify the maximum number of occurrences in an OCCURS clause
The INDEXED BY phrase in COBOL allows you to associate an index with an OCCURS clause. This index can be used to reference individual occurrences within the array, enabling efficient access and manipulation of data.
How does the COBOL Procedure Division handle file I/O operations?
- COBOL does not support file I/O operations
- COBOL handles file I/O operations using the OPEN, READ, WRITE, and CLOSE statements in the Procedure Division
- COBOL uses a dedicated FILE CONTROL paragraph for file handling
- COBOL uses a separate FILE I/O Division for handling file operations
The COBOL Procedure Division handles file I/O operations using statements like OPEN, READ, WRITE, and CLOSE. These statements allow the programmer to interact with files, reading and writing data as needed within the procedural logic of the program.
To perform integer division in COBOL, you can use the DIVIDE statement with the ________ phrase.
- BY
- GIVING
- INTO
- REMAINDER
The DIVIDE statement in COBOL is used for performing division operations. The GIVING phrase specifies the receiving field where the result of the division is stored. It is particularly useful for integer division.
In COBOL, the indexed file's key is often used to perform _____ operations on records.
- Access
- Arithmetic
- Sorting
- Update
In COBOL, the indexed file's key is frequently used to perform access operations on records. The key allows efficient retrieval and manipulation of records based on the specified criteria.
What are some common challenges in handling time zones when dealing with date and time in COBOL?
- Allowing user-defined time zones
- Dealing with daylight saving time changes
- Ensuring consistent conversion across different time zones
- Managing offset differences
Common challenges in handling time zones include ensuring consistent conversion, addressing daylight saving time changes, and managing offset differences between different time zones.
Which arithmetic operation has the highest precedence in COBOL expressions?
- Addition
- Division
- Multiplication
- Subtraction
In COBOL, multiplication has the highest precedence in arithmetic expressions. It is essential to understand the operator precedence rules to ensure accurate computation of expressions.
What does the "CONFIGURATION SECTION" contain in the "ENVIRONMENT DIVISION" of a COBOL program?
- Configuration details for external files and devices
- Procedure details for program logic
- System settings for program execution
- Variable declarations for program data
The "CONFIGURATION SECTION" in the "ENVIRONMENT DIVISION" of a COBOL program contains configuration details for external files and devices, specifying their organization, access modes, and other relevant attributes.
In a multi-user environment, two COBOL programs need to access the same file for reading and writing simultaneously. Which file access mode should you select to ensure data consistency?
- DYNAMIC
- I-O
- INPUT
- OUTPUT
In a multi-user environment, the appropriate file access mode is I-O (Input-Output). This mode supports concurrent reading and writing operations, ensuring data consistency when multiple programs access the same file simultaneously.