What is the purpose of the ACCESS MODE clause when defining an indexed file in COBOL?
- DYNAMIC and RANDOM
- RANDOM and SEQUENTIAL
- SEQUENTIAL and DYNAMIC
- SEQUENTIAL only
The ACCESS MODE clause in COBOL specifies how the file will be accessed. RANDOM allows both direct and sequential access, while SEQUENTIAL allows only sequential access. Combining them provides flexibility in file access methods.
In COBOL, what is the significance of the USAGE clause when defining variables?
- It controls the scope of a variable
- It defines the visibility of a data item
- It indicates the level of a data item
- It specifies the storage format of a data item
The USAGE clause in COBOL is used to specify the storage format of a data item, such as binary, packed-decimal, or display. It directly influences how the data is stored in memory.
What does the CLOSE verb in COBOL primarily do for an open file?
- Deletes the contents of the file
- Modifies the file's structure
- Opens the file for reading or writing
- Releases resources associated with the file and terminates the connection
The CLOSE verb in COBOL is used to release resources associated with an open file and terminate the connection between the COBOL program and the file. It ensures proper closure and cleanup after file operations.
How do you declare a numeric variable in COBOL?
- Using the OCCURS clause
- Using the PIC clause with a numeric editing character
- Using the REDEFINES clause
- Using the VALUE clause
In COBOL, a numeric variable is declared using the PIC (Picture) clause followed by a suitable format, specifying the size and type of the variable. Numeric editing characters, such as 9, are used to represent numeric values.
In a COBOL program that reads data from a file, you encounter an "AT END" condition. What action should be taken to handle this error gracefully?
- Use the CONTINUE statement
- Use the EXIT PROGRAM statement
- Use the FILE STATUS clause
- Use the READ NEXT statement
When encountering an "AT END" condition in COBOL, using the CONTINUE statement is a graceful way to handle the error. It allows the program to continue processing without terminating, providing an opportunity to take appropriate actions.
You are developing a COBOL program to process customer orders. If the order total is greater than $1000, you want to apply a 10% discount; otherwise, no discount is applied. Which COBOL conditional statement is suitable for this scenario?
- EVALUATE
- IF...ELSE
- PERFORM VARYING
- SET
In this scenario, the IF...ELSE statement in COBOL is appropriate. It allows you to make a binary decision based on whether the order total is greater than $1000, enabling you to apply the discount conditionally.
Advanced COBOL programmers may use the _____ construct to improve code readability and maintainability.
- EVALUATE
- GOTO
- PERFORM
- POINTER
The EVALUATE statement in COBOL is a powerful construct that allows advanced programmers to create structured and readable code for complex conditional logic. It is often preferred over nested IF statements for better code organization.
During debugging, the _____ statement in COBOL is often used to display variable values and messages.
- ACCEPT
- DISPLAY
- MOVE
- PERFORM
In COBOL, the DISPLAY statement is commonly used during debugging to show variable values and messages. It helps programmers understand the flow and values at different points in the program.
You are designing a COBOL program to process sales data. Which type of COBOL data item would you use to group related sales information, such as product code, quantity sold, and total sales amount?
- GROUP
- JUSTIFIED
- OCCURS
- REDEFINES
In COBOL, the GROUP data item is used to structure related data fields together. It allows you to group multiple elementary items under a single name, facilitating the organization of data, such as grouping sales details like product code, quantity, and total sales amount.
What happens when a CONTINUE statement is encountered during program execution?
- It continues with the next iteration of the loop
- It restarts the program from the beginning
- It terminates the program
- It transfers control to the next paragraph in the procedure division
When a CONTINUE statement is encountered in COBOL, it transfers control to the next paragraph in the procedure division. It is often used for creating empty or dummy paragraphs and does not affect the flow of the program.
Explain the concept of file ________ and how it is managed when multiple users access VSAM and ISAM files in COBOL.
- Buffering
- Compression
- Encryption
- Locking
File Buffering is the concept of temporarily storing data in memory to improve access speed when multiple users access VSAM and ISAM files in COBOL. Buffering reduces the need to repeatedly read data from the physical file, enhancing overall performance by utilizing the data stored in memory.
You are designing a COBOL program to handle employee records, which include both personal and job-related data. How would you structure the data to represent these two categories effectively?
- Defining separate record structures for personal and job-related data
- Incorporating redefines to overlap personal and job-related data
- Using a group item to define a record containing individual fields for personal and job-related data
- Utilizing OCCURS clause to organize data in a table structure
It is effective to define separate record structures for personal and job-related data to ensure clarity and maintainability in the COBOL program. This allows for easy understanding and modification of each data category.