In a COBOL application, you need to maintain a record of sales transactions for multiple products and store them efficiently. Which type of COBOL data structure would be most suitable for this scenario, and why?
- Array
- Both Array and Table
- Neither Array nor Table
- Table
A table in COBOL would be the preferred choice for maintaining sales transactions for multiple products. A table allows for easy expansion to accommodate new products without requiring modifications to the program structure, providing a scalable and efficient solution.
How can you efficiently remove duplicate records from a COBOL file while preserving data integrity?
- Ignoring duplicate records during file reading
- Implementing logic to skip duplicate records during file processing
- Using the COPY statement to create a file without duplicates
- Utilizing the DELETE statement in COBOL
To efficiently remove duplicate records from a COBOL file while preserving data integrity, you can implement logic within your program to skip duplicate records during file processing. This ensures that only unique records are considered, maintaining data integrity.
How do you handle record updates and deletions in an indexed file system like VSAM using COBOL?
- Use the DELETE verb for record deletion and the WRITE verb for record updates.
- Use the READ verb with UPDATE option for record updates and DELETE for record deletions.
- Use the MODIFY statement for both record updates and deletions.
- Use the REWRITE verb for record updates and DELETE verb for record deletions.
In VSAM and other indexed file systems, the READ verb with UPDATE option is used for record updates, and DELETE verb is used for record deletions. The MODIFY statement is not used for direct updates or deletions in this context.
When implementing error handling, what are the advantages of using the "HANDLE CONDITION" phrase?
- Avoids the need for error handling altogether
- Optimizes program performance
- Provides a centralized mechanism to handle multiple exceptions
- Simplifies the debugging process
The "HANDLE CONDITION" phrase in COBOL provides a centralized mechanism for handling multiple exceptions. It allows the program to define specific actions for different error conditions, improving code readability and maintainability.
When using intrinsic functions, what is the result of the FUNCTION NUMVAL("123.45") in COBOL?
- 0
- 123.45
- 12345
- Error
The FUNCTION NUMVAL("123.45") in COBOL returns the numeric value 123.45 after converting the given alphanumeric string into a numeric format.
How can you efficiently navigate through a file containing variable-length records in COBOL?
- Implement the READ NEXT RECORD statement
- Use the RELATIVE key in the file control entry
- Utilize the NEXT RECORD statement
- Utilize the RECORD CONTAINS clause
In COBOL, the efficient navigation through a file with variable-length records is achieved using the READ NEXT RECORD statement. This statement reads the next record in the file, regardless of its length, allowing seamless traversal.
You are working on a complex COBOL project with multiple programs. Which clause or method would you use to ensure that a particular variable can be accessed by all programs in the project?
- COMMON-LINKAGE section
- EXPORT statement
- External clause
- Global clause
In COBOL, you can ensure that a variable is accessible by all programs in a project by defining it in the COMMON-LINKAGE section. This section contains variables that are shared among all programs in the project, allowing them to exchange data.
In a relative file, records are identified by their _____, which is an integer value.
- Index Key
- Prime Key
- Record Key
- Relative Key
In a relative file, records are identified by their Relative Key, which is an integer value assigned to each record. This key is used to directly access records based on their relative position in the file.
The "ON EXCEPTION" phrase can be used to specify the _____ that should be taken when a specific exception condition is encountered.
- Action or actions
- Condition code
- Procedure division
- State transition
The "ON EXCEPTION" phrase in COBOL allows you to specify the action or actions to be taken when a specific exception condition is encountered during program execution. This facilitates the handling of errors and exceptions in a structured manner.
You are tasked with implementing a COBOL program to track employee working hours for a large organization. How would you use arrays or tables to handle this task effectively?
- Both Array and Table
- Neither Array nor Table
- Use a table
- Use an array
For tracking employee working hours in a large organization, a table in COBOL would be more effective. A table allows for dynamic storage allocation based on the number of employees, facilitating efficient management of variable-sized data sets. Arrays might limit flexibility and could be less practical in handling a dynamic workforce.
In a multi-user environment, you need to ensure that only one user can update a specific record in an ISAM file at a time. How would you implement file locking for this purpose?
- Apply a system-level lock using operating system utilities
- Implement record-level locking using a separate lock file
- Use the COBOL LOCK clause for exclusive access
- Utilize COBOL SYNC clause for synchronization
To ensure exclusive access to a record in an ISAM file, using the COBOL LOCK clause for exclusive access is a common approach. It prevents other users from updating the same record simultaneously, avoiding data inconsistency.
The OCCURS clause is used to define _________ data items in COBOL.
- Complex
- Repeating
- Special
- Unique
The OCCURS clause in COBOL is used to define repeating data items. It allows the definition of arrays or tables, enabling the storage of multiple occurrences of the same data structure.