When processing variable-length records, it's crucial to handle the ______ condition to prevent unexpected behavior.
- DUPLICATE RECORD
- END OF FILE
- INVALID RECORD
- RECORD LENGTH MISMATCH
When processing variable-length records in COBOL, it's crucial to handle the "RECORD LENGTH MISMATCH" condition to prevent unexpected behavior. This condition occurs when the actual length of a record read from a file does not match the expected length specified by the program. Proper handling of this condition ensures data integrity and prevents program errors.
Which statement in the COBOL Procedure Division is used to perform calculations and data manipulation?
- ADD
- COMPUTE
- MOVE
- PERFORM
The COMPUTE statement in COBOL is used for performing calculations and data manipulation. It allows the programmer to define complex arithmetic expressions to update variables.
When removing duplicate records from a COBOL file, you may use the _____ operation to merge duplicate entries.
- COLLATE
- COMBINE
- ELIMINATE
- MERGE
The MERGE operation in COBOL is utilized to merge duplicate entries in a sorted file. It is often used in conjunction with the SORT operation to arrange records and then merge duplicates based on specified criteria, effectively eliminating redundant information.
What are some common techniques for optimizing the performance of sequential file processing in COBOL?
- Enabling file compression
- Implementing buffering and block size adjustments
- Proper use of the READ NEXT statement
- Using only fixed-length records
Optimizing sequential file processing in COBOL involves techniques like implementing buffering to reduce I/O operations and adjusting block sizes for more efficient data retrieval. These techniques help minimize disk access, improving overall performance.
The _____ operation is often used to arrange records in ascending or descending order based on a specified key.
- INDEX
- MERGE
- SEARCH
- SORT
The SORT operation in COBOL is commonly used to arrange records in either ascending or descending order based on a specified key. It enables the organization of data for efficient processing, especially in scenarios requiring sequential access in a specific order.
What does "I-O" stand for in the context of file access modes in COBOL?
- In-Out
- Indexed-Order
- Information-Organization
- Input-Output
"I-O" in COBOL stands for Input-Output. This file access mode allows a COBOL program to both read and write records within the same file. It enables a program to perform a variety of operations on a file, including reading, writing, updating, and deleting records.
How do you declare a global variable in COBOL?
- By declaring the variable in the FILE SECTION
- By placing the variable in the WORKING-STORAGE section
- By using the GLOBAL keyword in the VARIABLE clause
- COBOL does not support global variables
In COBOL, global variables are declared in the WORKING-STORAGE section. This makes the variable accessible to all procedures within the program, ensuring a global scope.
The _____ file organization in COBOL is used for storing records in the order they are written.
- Indexed
- Random
- Relative
- Sequential
In COBOL, a Sequential file organization is used to store records in the order they are written. This means that records are stored one after another, and the order of records is maintained based on their physical placement in the file.
What is the primary objective of multi-user considerations when working with COBOL file handling?
- To ensure data consistency and integrity in a shared environment
- To minimize the execution time of COBOL programs
- To prioritize access based on user seniority
- To reduce the storage space required for files
The primary objective of multi-user considerations in COBOL file handling is to ensure data consistency and integrity in a shared environment. Proper mechanisms, such as file locking, are employed to manage concurrent access and prevent conflicts.
In COBOL, what type of file organization is suitable for random access to records?
- Indexed file organization
- Line sequential file organization
- Relative file organization
- Sequential file organization
Indexed file organization in COBOL is suitable for random access to records. It employs an index file that contains pointers to the actual records, enabling direct access based on the indexed key.
You are developing a COBOL program that needs to calculate the square root of a given number. Which COBOL intrinsic function would you use for this purpose?
- ABS
- EXP
- LOG
- SQRT
The SQRT intrinsic function in COBOL is used to calculate the square root of a given number. It is suitable for scenarios where you need to perform mathematical operations involving square roots.
How does the ON EXCEPTION condition handler differ from the WHEN condition handler in COBOL?
- ON EXCEPTION and WHEN are interchangeable and can be used interchangeably
- ON EXCEPTION is used for handling logical conditions, while WHEN is used for unexpected runtime errors
- ON EXCEPTION is used for handling unexpected runtime errors, while WHEN is used for logical conditions
- ON EXCEPTION is used only for arithmetic operations, and WHEN is used for other conditions
In COBOL, the ON EXCEPTION condition handler is specifically designed for handling unexpected runtime errors, such as divide-by-zero or overflow errors. In contrast, the WHEN condition handler is used for handling logical conditions in the program.