How does COBOL facilitate the execution of dynamic SQL statements?
- Embedding SQL statements directly in the COBOL source code
- Including SQL statements in a separate file and linking at runtime
- Using the EXEC SQL statement with DECLARE CURSOR
- Utilizing the PREPARE statement to create a SQL statement
COBOL supports the execution of dynamic SQL statements through the PREPARE statement. It allows the program to dynamically create and execute SQL statements at runtime, providing flexibility in handling varying query requirements.
You are developing a COBOL program for processing financial transactions, and you want to ensure that any error during processing is logged and reported. Which COBOL error handling technique would you choose for this scenario?
- EXIT PROGRAM statement
- ON EXCEPTION clause
- STOP RUN statement
- USE AFTER EXCEPTION option
The ON EXCEPTION clause in COBOL is used for handling errors during program execution. It allows you to define a set of actions to be taken when an exception occurs, such as logging and reporting errors in financial transactions.
The REDEFINES clause is particularly useful when dealing with data conversion or changing the _____ of existing data items
- Data Types
- Lengths
- Names
- Values
The REDEFINES clause in COBOL is beneficial for handling data conversion or changing the values of existing data items. It allows for efficient memory utilization and facilitates manipulation of data.
You are coding a COBOL program that reads records from a file until a specific condition is met. Which type of PERFORM loop and termination condition would you use in this scenario, and why?
- PERFORM THRU loop with a condition
- PERFORM UNTIL loop with a condition
- PERFORM VARYING loop with a condition in AFTER clause
- PERFORM WITH TEST BEFORE loop with a condition
A PERFORM UNTIL loop with a condition would be suitable for reading records from a file until a specific condition is met. The PERFORM UNTIL loop iterates until the specified condition becomes true, making it ideal for scenarios where you need to process records until a certain criterion is satisfied.
In COBOL, the EXEC SQL _____ statement is used to declare an SQL cursor.
- CLOSE
- DECLARE
- FETCH
- OPEN
In COBOL, the EXEC SQL DECLARE statement is used to declare an SQL cursor. Cursors are used to navigate through the result sets obtained from SQL queries.
What is the purpose of the COBOL REDEFINES clause?
- To allocate memory for a variable
- To allow two or more data items to share the same storage space
- To declare a new variable
- To specify the data type of a variable
The COBOL REDEFINES clause is used to allow two or more data items to share the same storage space. It enables multiple names to reference the same memory location, providing flexibility in data representation.
In Object-Oriented COBOL, what is method overloading, and how is it useful?
- It allows multiple methods with the same name but different parameters.
- It enforces encapsulation in classes.
- It is a technique to override inherited methods.
- It restricts the use of methods to a single class.
Method overloading in Object-Oriented COBOL refers to the ability to define multiple methods with the same name but different parameters. This is useful for creating more flexible and intuitive class interfaces, allowing methods with similar functionality to be invoked based on the context of usage.
When a file operation fails in COBOL, which special register contains the status code that can be checked for specific error conditions?
- ERROR-CODE
- FILE-STATUS
- RETURN-CODE
- STATUS-CODE
The FILE-STATUS special register in COBOL contains the status code that can be checked after a file operation to identify specific error conditions. Programmers can use this information to implement error-handling logic based on the nature of the error.
How does the COBOL SORT verb differ from the MERGE verb in terms of their outputs?
- MERGE combines two or more files into a single sorted file
- MERGE creates a sorted master file, while SORT does not
- SORT generates sorted output files, while MERGE does not
- SORT merges records from multiple files based on specified criteria
The COBOL SORT verb is used to generate sorted output files based on specified criteria, whereas the MERGE verb is used to combine two or more input files into a single sorted output file. The SORT verb focuses on sorting, while MERGE is about combining and sorting simultaneously.
In COBOL, what is the purpose of the CALL statement when invoking a subprogram?
- To allocate storage for variables
- To declare a variable as a parameter
- To define a recursive subroutine
- To transfer control to another program or subprogram
The CALL statement in COBOL is used to transfer control from one program or subprogram to another. It allows programs to modularize code by invoking separate subprograms, improving code readability and maintainability.
How can you ensure that errors in a COBOL program are reported to the appropriate personnel?
- Employ the DISPLAY statement to print errors on the screen
- Implement proper error handling and logging mechanisms
- Log errors in a local file for later analysis
- Use the ACCEPT statement to prompt the user for error details
To ensure that errors in a COBOL program are reported to the appropriate personnel, it's crucial to implement proper error handling and logging mechanisms. This may involve writing error details to log files or notifying administrators for further action.
What is the significance of the USAGE clause when defining data types in COBOL?
- It defines the size of the data
- It determines the level of the data item
- It indicates how the data will be used
- It specifies the format of the data
The USAGE clause in COBOL specifies how the data will be used, such as for display, computation, or indexing. It influences the internal representation and storage format of the data item.