When dealing with a sequential file, which file organization is commonly used for reading records in a specified order?
- Dynamic
- Indexed
- Relative
- Sequential
In a sequential file organization, records are stored and retrieved in a specific order. This order is determined by the physical sequence in which the records are written to the file. This organization is suitable for scenarios where records need to be processed in a predetermined order.
You are debugging a complex COBOL program, and you encounter a "segmentation fault." What does this error indicate, and what debugging steps would you take to address it?
- Compilation error
- Logic error
- Memory access violation
- Syntax error
A segmentation fault in COBOL typically indicates a memory access violation, often caused by attempting to access memory that the program doesn't have permission to access. To address this issue, debugging steps may include analyzing the program's memory usage, checking for array out-of-bounds accesses, inspecting pointer usage, and using tools like memory debuggers or runtime analysis tools to identify the source of the error.
You are designing a COBOL program to process customer names, which may include special characters. Which data type should you use to accommodate these special characters?
- PIC A(n)
- PIC N(n)
- PIC S9(n)
- PIC X(n)
The PIC X(n) data type in COBOL is suitable for processing customer names that may include special characters. It is a generic alphanumeric data type, accommodating a variety of characters without imposing specific constraints on the input.
In a COBOL project, you have a common calculation that is used in multiple programs. How can you efficiently reuse this calculation using subprograms?
- Copybooks
- Inline Code
- Macro Expansion
- Subprograms (Perform)
By encapsulating the common calculation in a subprogram using the PERFORM statement, you can efficiently reuse the logic across multiple programs, promoting code reusability and maintainability.
_____ is a mechanism in Object-Oriented COBOL that allows a class to inherit properties and behaviors from another class.
- DERIVE
- EXTEND
- INCLUDE
- INHERIT
In Object-Oriented COBOL, the "DERIVE" keyword is used as a mechanism to allow a class to inherit properties and behaviors from another class, promoting code reusability.
What is the purpose of using records and structures in COBOL?
- To define individual data items
- To enhance program logic
- To group related data items together
- To optimize program execution
Records and structures in COBOL are used to group related data items together. This allows for better organization of data and improves code readability by representing entities as a single unit.
In a COBOL "IF" statement, the "NEXT SENTENCE" phrase is used to _____
- Provide comments within the "IF" block
- Specify the condition for the "IF" statement
- Transfer control to the next executable sentence following the "IF" statement
- Trigger an error condition
The "NEXT SENTENCE" phrase in a COBOL "IF" statement transfers control to the next executable sentence following the "IF" block, skipping the subsequent sentences if the condition is true.
Which file processing technique is suitable when you need to read records in the order they were added to the file?
- Dynamic file processing
- Indexed file processing
- Relative file processing
- Sequential file processing
Sequential file processing in COBOL is suitable when you need to read records in the order they were added to the file. This ensures that records are processed in the same sequence they were inserted, which is beneficial in scenarios where chronological order matters.
In COBOL, what is the significance of the FILE STATUS clause in the context of file handling errors?
- It defines the file structure and layout
- It is used to declare file names in the FILE SECTION
- It provides a status code after each file operation, indicating the success or failure of the operation
- It specifies the file organization and access mode
The FILE STATUS clause in COBOL is used to provide a status code after each file operation. This code indicates the success or failure of the operation, allowing the program to take appropriate actions based on the file handling result.
You are tasked with designing a COBOL program that needs to access records in an indexed file using a unique key. Which access mode and file organization would you choose, and why?
- Option 1: Dynamic Access, Sequential File Organization
- Option 2: Random Access, Indexed File Organization
- Option 3: Dynamic Access, Indexed File Organization
- Option 4: Sequential Access, Relative File Organization
Dynamic Access with Indexed File Organization would be the appropriate choice. This allows efficient access using a unique key, enabling direct retrieval of records based on the key value. Dynamic access provides flexibility in navigating through the file, making it suitable for scenarios requiring key-based searches.
When working with databases in COBOL, what does SQL stand for?
- Sequential Query Language
- Structured Query Language
- Synchronized Query Logic
- Systematic Question Language
SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is a standardized language used to interact with relational databases, enabling operations such as data retrieval, insertion, updating, and deletion.
What is the significance of the "RECORD VARYING" clause in COBOL file handling?
- It allows processing variable-length records without explicitly specifying their length
- It indicates that the records can vary in size during program execution
- It sets the maximum and minimum lengths for variable-length records
- It specifies the use of varying-length records in sorted files
The "RECORD VARYING" clause in COBOL file handling is significant as it indicates that the records can vary in size during program execution. This flexibility is useful when dealing with files containing variable-length records.