How can you ensure that a variable retains its value between multiple program invocations in COBOL?
- By declaring the variable as STATIC
- By specifying the VALUE clause during variable declaration
- By using the ACCEPT verb
- By using the INITIALIZE verb
In COBOL, declaring a variable as STATIC ensures that its value persists between multiple program invocations. Static variables retain their values throughout the program's execution.
Which COBOL data type is commonly used to store date and time values?
- PIC 9
- PIC 9(8) COMP-3
- PIC S9(4)V9(2) COMP
- PIC X
PIC 9(8) COMP-3 is commonly used to store date and time values in COBOL. This format allows for efficient storage of packed decimal values representing dates and times.
You are working on a COBOL program where you need to process a list of customer names. Which type of PERFORM loop would be most appropriate for this task, and why?
- PERFORM THRU loop
- PERFORM UNTIL loop
- PERFORM VARYING loop
- PERFORM WITH TEST BEFORE loop
A PERFORM VARYING loop would be most appropriate for processing a list of customer names. This loop is used when there is a need to iterate through a range of values, such as processing elements in an array or a list. It allows you to control the loop by specifying the initial and final values, making it suitable for handling customer names sequentially.
When a subprogram is called, the control returns to the _____ program after the subprogram execution is complete.
- Called
- Caller
- Child
- Parent
In COBOL, after the execution of a subprogram is complete, control returns to the calling program. The calling program is often referred to as the caller, and this mechanism allows for the integration of modular and reusable code.
What is the main objective of file handling performance optimization in COBOL?
- Increase program complexity
- Maximize file size
- Minimize I/O operations
- Optimize CPU usage
The primary objective of file handling performance optimization in COBOL is to minimize I/O operations. This involves reducing the number of reads and writes to files, which enhances overall program efficiency and execution speed.
What is the significance of the OCCURS clause when used with group data items?
- It controls the iteration of a loop in a COBOL program
- It defines the level of the group item
- It defines the number of occurrences of a group item in an array
- It specifies the occurrence of a particular value within the group
The OCCURS clause in COBOL is used to define the number of occurrences of a group item, creating an array. It allows you to work with repeating data structures efficiently.
When working with variable-length records in COBOL, what additional information is often stored along with the data?
- Record Identifier
- Record Length
- Record Padding
- Record Type
When dealing with variable-length records in COBOL, the additional information often stored along with the data is the "Record Length." This length information helps the program know the size of each record in the file.
In COBOL, can you have a table with varying numbers of occurrences for each element?
- No, COBOL tables can only have a fixed number of occurrences
- No, COBOL tables must have a fixed number of occurrences for each element
- Yes, COBOL allows tables with varying numbers of occurrences for each element
- Yes, but it requires advanced programming techniques
Yes, in COBOL, tables can have varying numbers of occurrences for each element. This flexibility allows for more dynamic data structures in programs.
In COBOL, what does the "INVALID KEY" phrase do in the context of file processing?
- It denotes the key attribute for a record in a file
- It indicates that the file is corrupted and cannot be used
- It is used to declare a key as invalid in the file definition
- It is used to specify the action to be taken when an invalid key is encountered during file processing
The "INVALID KEY" phrase in COBOL is used to specify the action to be taken when an invalid key is encountered during file processing. This allows the program to handle errors gracefully and take appropriate actions, such as providing a default value or performing specific error-handling logic.
What is the purpose of the CONTINUE statement in COBOL error handling?
- To handle runtime errors gracefully
- To restart the program execution from the beginning
- To terminate the program abruptly
- To transfer control to the next statement in the program
The CONTINUE statement in COBOL is used to transfer control to the next statement in the program. It is often used in error handling routines to proceed with the next logical step after encountering an error condition.
Your COBOL program is reading records from a file, and you want to specify actions to be taken when invalid data is encountered. Which phrase should you use with the READ verb?
- AT END
- END-OF-FILE
- INVALID KEY
- NOT INVALID
In COBOL, the phrase "INVALID KEY" is used with the READ verb to specify actions to be taken when invalid data is encountered during a file read operation. This allows the program to handle data validation errors gracefully and take appropriate actions based on the encountered condition.
In COBOL, the REDEFINES clause is often used to share memory space between two data items with different _____
- Data Types
- Lengths
- Names
- Values
The REDEFINES clause in COBOL allows two or more data items to share the same memory space, but it's crucial that the redefined data items have the same starting lengths to avoid conflicts in memory allocation.