How do you access an element within an array in COBOL?
- By using ACCEPT statement
- By using ADD statement
- By using MOVE statement
- By using subscript or index
In COBOL, you access an element within an array by using a subscript or index. This index specifies the position of the desired element in the array, allowing for easy retrieval and manipulation of data.
What is a cursor in COBOL when dealing with database operations?
- A control structure used to iterate over database records
- A database object used to store query results
- A mechanism to establish database connections
- An index used to optimize database queries
In COBOL, a cursor is a control structure used to iterate over the result set of a SQL query. It enables sequential access to individual rows returned by the query, allowing COBOL programs to process database records one at a time. Cursors are essential for handling database operations involving multiple rows of data.
In COBOL, what happens when you open a file in "Output" mode that already exists?
- It appends the new data to the existing file
- It deletes the existing file
- It overwrites the existing file with the new data
- It raises a compilation error
When a file is opened in "Output" mode in COBOL, it overwrites the existing file with the new data. This mode is used for creating a new file or replacing the content of an existing one.
The MERGE statement in COBOL is often used for _____ files with a common key.
- Combining
- Indexing
- Merging
- Sorting
The MERGE statement in COBOL is used for merging files with a common key. It allows records from multiple sorted input files to be merged into a single sorted output file based on the specified key.
How can you handle decimal point alignment when performing arithmetic operations on packed decimal fields?
- By adjusting the decimal places in the PICTURE clause
- By using the DISPLAY format
- By using the USAGE IS DISPLAY clause
- By using the USAGE IS PACKED-DECIMAL clause
Decimal point alignment in packed decimal fields is managed by adjusting the decimal places in the PICTURE clause. This ensures that arithmetic operations on packed decimal fields maintain proper alignment and precision.
In error handling, what is the purpose of the EXIT statement's numeric operand?
- It defines the error message
- It designates the exit level
- It indicates the severity of the error
- It specifies the file status code
The numeric operand in the EXIT statement designates the exit level. It helps control the flow of execution by specifying the level at which the program should terminate in the event of an error.
In a COBOL application that manages inventory data, you encounter a situation where multiple entries with the same product code exist. How would you handle these duplicate records to calculate accurate inventory quantities?
- Implement a COBOL program to aggregate quantities for each product code
- Sort the inventory data based on product codes to identify duplicates
- Use a database query to identify and merge duplicate entries
- Utilize a COBOL array to store unique product codes and their quantities
Utilizing a COBOL array to store unique product codes and their quantities is an effective approach. This allows for easy comparison and aggregation, ensuring accurate inventory quantities for each product code in the COBOL application.
_____ in Object-Oriented COBOL is a way to define a contract that a class must adhere to, specifying the methods it must implement.
- Encapsulation
- Inheritance
- Interface
- Polymorphism
Interface in Object-Oriented COBOL is a way to define a contract that a class must adhere to, specifying the methods it must implement. It establishes a set of method signatures that must be implemented by any class that implements the interface.
The LEVEL NUMBER in COBOL indicates the ________ of the data item.
- Address
- Hierarchy
- Size
- Type
The LEVEL NUMBER in COBOL indicates the hierarchical level of the data item. It specifies the position of the data item within the data hierarchy, helping in organizing and structuring data.
How is encapsulation achieved in Object-Oriented COBOL?
- By bundling data and methods within a class
- By separating data and procedures
- Through external subroutine calls
- Through the use of global variables
Encapsulation in Object-Oriented COBOL is achieved by bundling data and methods within a class. This means that the internal details of the class, such as data structures and implementation details, are hidden from the outside world, promoting information hiding and reducing complexity.
When performing division in COBOL, which operator should you use?
- *
- +
- -
- /
The forward slash (/) operator is used for division in COBOL. For instance, "DIVIDE operand1 BY operand2 GIVING result." is a division operation in COBOL.
When defining an array or table in COBOL, you must specify the _____ of elements it can hold.
- INDEX
- OCCURS
- RANGE
- SIZE
When defining an array or table in COBOL, the OCCURS clause is used to specify the number of elements it can hold. It determines the size or occurrence of the table, indicating how many times a data item should repeat.