How do you define a nested group data item in COBOL?
- By defining data items within another group data item
- By specifying the USAGE IS POINTER clause
- By using the OCCURS clause
- By using the REDEFINES clause
Nested group data items in COBOL are defined by including data items within another group data item. This allows for hierarchical structuring of data, enabling easier organization and manipulation of complex data structures.
In COBOL, _____ recursion refers to a situation where a subprogram calls itself directly or indirectly.
- Direct
- Indirect
- Nested
- Recursive
Recursive recursion in COBOL occurs when a subprogram calls itself, either directly or indirectly. This technique is often used for tasks that can be broken down into smaller, similar tasks, allowing for a more modular and elegant programming approach.
In COBOL, the "UNSTRING" statement can generate an "OVERFLOW" exception if the result field is _____.
- Declared as a numeric field
- Defined without a USAGE clause
- Missing the "END-UNSTRING" delimiter
- Not large enough to accommodate the extracted data
If the result field in the "UNSTRING" statement is not large enough to accommodate the extracted data, an "OVERFLOW" exception can be generated. This occurs when the target field is insufficient to hold the result of the string manipulation operation.
In COBOL, the RECORD CONTAINS _____ clause is used to specify the total size of a record in the FILE SECTION.
- Bytes
- Length
- Records
- Size
In the FILE SECTION of COBOL, the RECORD CONTAINS clause is used to specify the length of a record in bytes. It indicates the total size of a record in a file, including all its fields.
When working with indexed files in COBOL, what is the key used for accessing records?
- Alternate key
- Prime key
- Relative key
- Secondary key
In COBOL, when working with indexed files, the "Relative key" is used for accessing records. This key defines the relative position of a record within the file. It is essential for efficient record retrieval in indexed files.
In COBOL, the _____ clause is used to define a variable with a scope limited to a specific paragraph or section.
- FILE
- LINKAGE
- LOCAL-STORAGE
- WORKING-STORAGE
In COBOL, the LOCAL-STORAGE clause is used to define a variable with a scope limited to a specific paragraph or section. Variables declared under LOCAL-STORAGE are accessible only within the specific paragraph or section where they are defined.
The ________ clause in the FILE CONTROL paragraph is used to specify the organization of a file.
- ACCESS
- FILE
- ORGANIZATION
- RECORD
In the FILE CONTROL paragraph of a COBOL program, the ORGANIZATION clause is used to specify the organization of a file. It defines how the records within the file are structured and stored, such as SEQUENTIAL or INDEXED.
Which SQL statement is used in COBOL to retrieve data from a database table?
- DELETE
- INSERT
- SELECT
- UPDATE
The SELECT statement is used in COBOL programs to retrieve data from one or more tables in a database. It allows specifying the columns to be retrieved and conditions for filtering data, enabling the extraction of specific information from the database.
The ________ operator is used for raising a numeric value to a specified power in COBOL.
- CALCULATE
- EXPONENTIATION
- MATH
- POWER
In COBOL, the EXPONENTIATION operator (**) is used for raising a numeric value to a specified power. For example, X ** 2 represents X squared.
To retrieve the total number of occurrences in a table, you can use the _____ special register.
- COUNTER
- INDEX
- OCCURS
- REDEFINES
In COBOL, the OCCURS special register is used to retrieve the total number of occurrences in a table. It provides information about the size of the table defined using the OCCURS clause.
When a group data item is used to represent a record structure, each individual data item within the group can be referred to as a __________.
- Division
- Element
- Field
- Segment
When a group data item is used to represent a record structure, each individual data item within the group is referred to as an Element. It is important to understand the terminology when dealing with hierarchical data structures.
In a COBOL program, you are not getting the expected results, and you suspect it's due to a logic error. Describe the steps you would follow to debug and correct the issue.
- Check for syntax errors
- Increase memory allocation
- Reinstall COBOL compiler
- Review the program's logic and flow
When encountering unexpected results in a COBOL program, suspected to be due to a logic error, the first step is to review the program's logic and flow. This involves analyzing the program's algorithms, conditions, and data processing steps to identify any logical inconsistencies or errors. Debugging techniques may include adding temporary diagnostic output, tracing program execution, using breakpoints, and employing step-by-step execution tools to isolate and correct the logic error.