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.
Which arithmetic operator is used to perform subtraction in COBOL?
- * (Multiply)
- + (Plus)
- - (Minus)
- / (Divide)
The subtraction operation in COBOL is represented by the minus (-) operator. It is used to subtract one numeric value from another in COBOL programs.
The ________ feature in VSAM allows you to access records directly by their key, improving retrieval speed.
- Direct Access
- Dynamic Access
- Indexed Access
- Sequential Access
The Direct Access feature in VSAM enables the direct retrieval of records based on their key, enhancing retrieval speed compared to sequential access methods. It is particularly useful when you need quick access to specific records without scanning the entire file sequentially.
When should you use the "Output" file access mode in COBOL?
- To perform both read and write operations on the file
- To read records sequentially from the file
- To update records in the file
- To write records to the file
The "Output" file access mode in COBOL is used when you want to write records to the file. It allows the program to add new records to the file but does not allow reading or updating of existing records.
You are developing a COBOL program that reads data from an existing file and updates specific records. Which file access mode should you choose for this operation?
- EXTEND
- I-O
- INPUT
- OUTPUT
In this scenario, the correct file access mode is I-O (Input-Output). This mode allows both reading and updating of records in an existing file. It is suitable for situations where data needs to be read and modified within the same program.
Your COBOL program interacts with external devices, and you want to handle errors gracefully without abruptly ending the program. Which statement is suitable for this scenario?
- CONTINUE
- EXIT PROGRAM
- HANDLE EXCEPTION
- STOP RUN
In this scenario, the CONTINUE statement is appropriate for handling errors gracefully without abruptly ending the COBOL program. It allows the program to proceed with the next statement, facilitating controlled error handling.
You are designing a COBOL program to manage a customer database. What file organization would you choose for the master file to allow efficient random access to customer records?
- Indexed
- Line Sequential
- Relative
- Sequential
For efficient random access, an Indexed file organization is suitable for a master file in COBOL. It uses an index to allow direct access to records based on a key, optimizing retrieval times.
In COBOL, file locking is essential to prevent _______ conflicts when multiple users access the same file concurrently.
- Access
- Data
- Resource
- System
File locking in COBOL is crucial to prevent resource conflicts when multiple users attempt to access the same file simultaneously. It ensures data integrity and prevents issues such as data corruption or inconsistency due to concurrent access.
You are working on a mission-critical COBOL program for a banking application. During testing, an unexpected error occurs. Which statement should you use to gracefully handle this error without terminating the program?
- CONTINUE
- EXIT METHOD
- EXIT PROGRAM
- STOP RUN
In this scenario, the CONTINUE statement in COBOL is used to gracefully handle errors without terminating the program. It allows the program to proceed with the next statement, providing a mechanism for error handling without program termination.
In COBOL, what is the purpose of the "ENVIRONMENT DIVISION"?
- 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 "ENVIRONMENT DIVISION" in COBOL is responsible for specifying the file structure and access mode for all files used in the program. It sets up the environment for the program's execution by providing information about the files it will use.
Which data type in COBOL is suitable for representing textual information?
- BOOLEAN
- CHARACTER
- DECIMAL
- INTEGER
The CHARACTER data type in COBOL is used for representing textual information, such as letters, numbers, and symbols.