The COMPUTE statement in COBOL is often used for _____ complex arithmetic calculations.
- Automating
- Debugging
- Executing
- Simplifying
The COMPUTE statement in COBOL is used for simplifying complex arithmetic calculations. It provides a concise and readable way to perform calculations on numeric data items in COBOL programs.
What is the purpose of the COBOL Data Division?
- To declare variables for arithmetic operations
- To define the data items used in the program
- To handle file input and output
- To specify the sequence of program execution
The COBOL Data Division is used to define the data items that the program uses. It includes the description of variables, constants, and records necessary for processing data in the program.
What is the purpose of the INSPECT statement in COBOL?
- It allocates storage for a group of data items
- It controls the flow of the program
- It is used for arithmetic operations on numeric data
- It is used for searching and replacing specified characters in a string
The INSPECT statement in COBOL is employed for searching and replacing specified characters within a string. It provides a powerful mechanism for manipulating character data, facilitating tasks such as data cleaning and transformation.
In COBOL, _______ locks allow multiple users to read a file simultaneously, but only one user can write to it.
- Exclusive
- Read-only
- Shared
- Update
In COBOL, Exclusive locks allow multiple users to read a file simultaneously, but only one user can write to it. This ensures data integrity by preventing concurrent writes that could lead to inconsistencies. Shared locks, on the other hand, allow multiple users to read the file simultaneously without preventing each other.
How is data storage allocated for a COBOL array defined using the OCCURS clause?
- Allocation based on the DEPENDING ON clause
- Allocation determined by the INDEXED BY phrase
- Contiguous memory allocation for all occurrences
- Separate memory allocation for each occurrence
Data storage for a COBOL array defined using the OCCURS clause is allocated contiguously in memory for all occurrences. This ensures that the array elements are stored in a sequential block, allowing for efficient access and manipulation of array data.
What is the primary advantage of using Object-Oriented COBOL compared to traditional COBOL?
- Enhanced support for procedural programming
- Improved code reusability
- Increased program execution speed
- Simplified syntax
The primary advantage of Object-Oriented COBOL lies in improved code reusability. Object-oriented principles, such as encapsulation and inheritance, enable developers to create modular and reusable code, promoting a more efficient and maintainable software development process.
How can file organization impact performance optimization in COBOL programs?
- Direct file organization results in slower access
- File organization has no impact on performance
- Indexed file organization offers better performance
- Sequential file organization allows for faster access
File organization significantly impacts performance optimization in COBOL programs. Sequential file organization generally allows for faster access due to its straightforward structure, minimizing seek time. Other file organizations may have different impacts based on the access patterns of the application.
In COBOL, the _____ feature of indexed files allows you to efficiently handle duplicate keys.
- Duplicate Key
- Index Key
- Merge Key
- Unique Key
The Duplicate Key feature in COBOL indexed files enables efficient handling of records with duplicate keys. This allows for easy retrieval and manipulation of data associated with duplicate key values.
How can you access individual data items within a COBOL group data item?
- By specifying the offset within the group item
- By using the INDEXED BY clause
- By using the LEVEL NUMBER clause
- By using the OCCURS clause
Individual data items within a COBOL group data item can be accessed by specifying the offset within the group item. This offset is used to navigate to a specific data item within the group.
In COBOL, what is the purpose of the 88-level condition names in the Data Division?
- To associate a condition with a data item for use in the PROCEDURE DIVISION
- To define a level of precision for numeric data items
- To represent a loop in the program logic
- To specify the length of a group item
The 88-level condition names in COBOL are used to associate conditions with data items. These conditions can be checked in the PROCEDURE DIVISION using the IF statement, allowing for more readable and meaningful code.
What is the purpose of the "RESUME" statement in error recovery strategies?
- Allows the program to continue execution after handling an exception
- Reverts the program to its initial state
- Rolls back changes made to files
- Terminates the program to prevent further errors
The "RESUME" statement in COBOL is used to allow the program to continue execution after handling an exception. It helps in implementing controlled error recovery strategies, ensuring that the program can gracefully recover from errors and continue processing.
How are COBOL structures different from simple data items?
- COBOL structures are always stored in binary format, while simple data items are stored in ASCII format
- COBOL structures are not supported in modern programming
- COBOL structures are used only for numeric data, while simple data items are used for alphanumeric data
- COBOL structures group related data items, while simple data items represent individual elements
COBOL structures differ from simple data items as they are used to group related data items together, providing a way to represent complex entities. Simple data items, on the other hand, represent individual elements without grouping.