A subprogram can have its own _____ section for local data.
- FILE
- LINKAGE
- LOCAL-STORAGE
- WORKING-STORAGE
A subprogram in COBOL can have its own LOCAL-STORAGE section for declaring local data items. These items are private to the subprogram and retain their values between successive calls to the subprogram.
What is the role of the INITIALIZE statement in COBOL?
- It assigns an initial value to a variable
- It deallocates memory space for a variable
- It declares a variable and allocates storage space
- It initializes the COBOL environment
The INITIALIZE statement in COBOL is used to assign an initial value to a variable. It is commonly used to set variables to predefined values before the actual processing begins. This ensures predictable behavior and prevents the use of uninitialized variables.
When working with COBOL and databases, the _____ clause is used to specify the host variable's data type for SQL statements.
- DECLARE
- FETCH
- INTO
- USING
In COBOL, when dealing with databases and SQL statements, the DECLARE clause is used to specify the host variable's data type. This information is crucial for the proper execution of SQL statements that involve data retrieval or manipulation.
Which debugging technique involves adding temporary output statements to your COBOL code to track the program's flow and variable values?
- Backtracking
- Code inspection
- Interactive debugging
- Print debugging
Print debugging is a debugging technique where temporary output statements are added to the COBOL code to print variable values and messages during program execution. This helps in understanding the program's flow and identifying issues.
In a COBOL program for processing employee data, you need to store the employee's unique identification number. Which type of COBOL variable would you use for this purpose?
- PIC 9(5) DISPLAY
- PIC 9(6) USAGE COMP-3
- PIC S9(9)
- PIC X(10)
For storing unique identification numbers in COBOL, PIC S9(9) is appropriate. It allows for numeric values with sign, suitable for representing employee IDs.
When dealing with indexed files in COBOL, what is the role of the index file?
- It compresses the data to save storage space
- It contains pointers to the actual records in the data file
- It organizes records in a sequential order
- It stores backup copies of the data file
The index file in COBOL's indexed file organization contains pointers to the actual records in the data file. This allows for efficient random access to records based on the indexed key.
When using the MERGE statement in COBOL, what condition must be met for the input files?
- They must be in the same data division
- They must be individually sorted in ascending order
- They must contain numeric data only
- They must have the same record length
In COBOL, when using the MERGE statement, the input files must be individually sorted in ascending order based on the key fields specified in the MERGE statement. This ensures a successful merging process.
You are developing a COBOL application that requires modeling real-world entities and their relationships. Which Object-Oriented COBOL concept would you use to achieve this?
- Abstract Data Types
- Encapsulation
- Inheritance
- Polymorphism
In Object-Oriented COBOL, Inheritance is used to model real-world entities and their relationships. It allows a class to inherit attributes and behaviors from another class, promoting code reusability and representing an "is-a" relationship.
What is the significance of the RECORD KEY clause when defining VSAM and ISAM files in COBOL?
- It defines the length of each record in the file
- It identifies the field used as a key to uniquely identify records in the file
- It indicates the position of the record within the file
- It specifies the physical location of the file on the disk
The RECORD KEY clause in COBOL is significant when defining VSAM and ISAM files as it identifies the field used as a key to uniquely identify records in the file. This key is essential for direct access to specific records.
The "I-O" file access mode allows both _____ and _____ operations on a file in COBOL.
- Appending, Renaming
- Closing, Opening
- Reading, Writing
- Updating, Deleting
The "I-O" (Input-Output) file access mode in COBOL allows both reading and writing operations on a file. It enables a program to perform a combination of input and output operations on the same file.
In a COBOL program, what file organization is typically used for master files in a database system?
- Dynamic
- Indexed
- Relative
- Sequential
Indexed file organization is typically used for master files in a database system in COBOL. It allows for efficient random access based on a key field, making it suitable for scenarios where records need to be retrieved directly by their key values.
You are developing a COBOL program to read data from a file sequentially. Which file control verb should you use to open the file?
- CLOSE
- OPEN
- READ
- WRITE
In COBOL, the OPEN verb is used to open a file before reading from or writing to it in a program. This verb establishes the connection between the COBOL program and the external file, allowing subsequent READ or WRITE operations.