In a COBOL program, you need to store a date of birth. Which data type should you use to ensure compatibility with international date formats?
- PIC 9(8)
- PIC 9(8) COMP-3
- PIC X(10)
- PIC X(8)
The PIC X(10) data type in COBOL is suitable for storing a date of birth while ensuring compatibility with international date formats. It allows for the representation of date values in a text format without imposing a specific internal structure.
You are working on a COBOL program that deals with financial transactions. Which COBOL data type would you choose to store currency amounts with two decimal places accurately?
- PIC S9(11)V9(2) COMP
- PIC S9(11)V9(2) COMP-3
- PIC S9(13)V9(2) COMP
- PIC S9(13)V9(2) COMP-3
The PIC S9(11)V9(2) COMP-3 data type in COBOL is suitable for storing currency amounts with two decimal places accurately. It represents a packed-decimal format, ensuring precise storage and manipulation of decimal values.
Your COBOL program requires accessing records based on a unique identifier. Which file organization type should you implement?
- Indexed
- Line Sequential
- Relative
- Sequential
When accessing records based on a unique identifier, the Indexed file organization is ideal in COBOL. It facilitates direct access to records using the key, optimizing retrieval based on the unique identifier.
What is the primary purpose of integrating COBOL with a database system?
- To efficiently manage and store large volumes of data
- To enhance the user interface of COBOL programs
- To facilitate communication with hardware devices
- To improve program execution speed
Integrating COBOL with a database system allows for the efficient management and storage of large volumes of data. It enables the seamless interaction between COBOL programs and databases, supporting data retrieval, storage, and manipulation.
How does the EXIT statement differ from the CONTINUE statement in COBOL error handling?
- CONTINUE is used to exit the program
- CONTINUE is used to transfer control to the next statement
- EXIT is used to exit a specific paragraph or section
- EXIT is used to terminate the entire program
The EXIT statement in COBOL is used to exit a specific paragraph or section, providing a structured way to control the flow of the program. In contrast, the CONTINUE statement simply transfers control to the next statement without any conditional checks.
The CURRENT-DATE special register stores the current _____ and _____.
- Date and Time
- Day and Month
- Month and Year
- Year and Time
The CURRENT-DATE special register in COBOL stores the current date and time, providing a convenient way to capture the system date and time when a program is executed.
What is the role of the "DATA DIVISION" in a COBOL program?
- Contains the procedures and logic of the program
- Declares the data items used in the program
- Defines the working storage section
- Specifies the file structure and access mode for all files used in the program
The "DATA DIVISION" in COBOL is used for declaring the data items that the program will use. It defines the structure of data, such as records and fields, and their characteristics.
The _____ clause allows a variable to be shared among multiple programs in a COBOL application.
- COMMON
- EXTERNAL
- GLOBAL
- SHARED
The COMMON clause in COBOL is used to declare a variable that can be shared among multiple programs within the same application. This allows data sharing between different parts of a COBOL program.
When using the REDEFINES clause, it's important to consider the alignment requirements of the underlying _____ data types
- Alphanumeric
- Binary
- Numeric
- Packed-decimal
The alignment requirements of the underlying data types are crucial when using the REDEFINES clause. Proper alignment ensures efficient storage utilization and prevents data misalignment issues.
What is the primary purpose of implementing exception handling in a COBOL program?
- To gracefully handle unexpected errors and prevent program termination
- To improve program performance
- To reduce the size of the compiled code
- To simplify the program logic
Exception handling in COBOL is essential to gracefully handle unexpected errors or exceptional conditions that may arise during program execution. It helps prevent abrupt program termination and allows for controlled error recovery.
The "Input" file access mode is primarily used for _____ data from a file in COBOL.
- Deleting
- Reading
- Updating
- Writing
The "Input" file access mode in COBOL is used for reading data from a file. It allows the program to retrieve information stored in a file and process it within the program.
What is the role of interfaces in Object-Oriented COBOL, and how are they different from classes?
- Interfaces are used only for input/output operations.
- Interfaces can be instantiated like classes.
- Interfaces define common behavior, and they cannot have attributes.
- Interfaces have the same characteristics as abstract classes.
In Object-Oriented COBOL, interfaces define common behavior that can be implemented by multiple classes. Unlike classes, interfaces cannot have attributes; they only declare methods. Classes can implement multiple interfaces, enabling them to exhibit behavior from different sources. Interfaces promote a higher level of abstraction and facilitate code modularity and flexibility.