What is the role of the RETURN statement in the COBOL Procedure Division?
- It is used to define a return value for a function
- It is used to exit a paragraph or section and return control to the calling program
- It is used to return a value from a called subroutine
- It is used to terminate the entire COBOL program
The RETURN statement in COBOL is used to exit a paragraph or section, returning control to the calling program. It is essential for managing program flow and ensuring proper execution.
In your COBOL program, you need to handle the situation where a file record exceeds the defined maximum length. How would you approach this exception?
- Implement error handling using the FILE STATUS clause
- Increase the MAXIMUM RECORD SIZE in the file's FD entry
- Use the INVALID KEY clause in the file control entry
- Utilize the ON SIZE ERROR clause in the FILE SECTION
Handling file record length exceptions can be done by utilizing the ON SIZE ERROR clause in the FILE SECTION. This clause allows you to specify actions to be taken if a record size exceeds the defined maximum length.
What is the difference between a figurative constant and a user-defined constant in COBOL?
- Figurative constants are declared using the CONSTANT keyword, while user-defined constants use the VALUE clause
- Figurative constants are numeric, and user-defined constants are alphanumeric
- Figurative constants represent predefined values like ZERO and SPACE, while user-defined constants are explicitly defined by the programmer using the VALUE clause
- There is no difference between figurative and user-defined constants in COBOL
Figurative constants in COBOL represent predefined values like ZERO, SPACE, etc. User-defined constants are explicitly defined by the programmer using the VALUE clause in the DATA DIVISION.
To perform mathematical calculations with intrinsic functions, you often use the FUNCTION _______ function.
- ABS
- ARITHMETIC
- NUMERIC
- NUMVAL
The FUNCTION NUMVAL in COBOL is commonly used to convert a numeric string into its numeric value, enabling mathematical calculations. It plays a crucial role in arithmetic operations involving numeric data.
The Data Division in COBOL is responsible for describing the structure and ________ of data items used in the program.
- Characteristics
- Format
- Organization
- Organization and Storage
The Data Division in COBOL describes both the structure and organization of data items. It defines how data is stored, such as the length, type, and arrangement of fields within records.
The 88-level condition names in COBOL are used for creating ________ conditions based on data values.
- Boolean
- Exclusive
- Parallel
- Sequential
The 88-level condition names in COBOL are used for creating Boolean conditions based on specific data values. They provide a convenient way to express conditions in a more readable and self-explanatory manner.
The INSPECT statement in COBOL allows you to search for and _____ occurrences of specific characters or phrases in a field.
- Replace
- Delete
- Count
- Add
The INSPECT statement in COBOL is used for string manipulation. The COUNT option allows you to count the occurrences of specific characters or phrases in a given field, providing flexibility in handling character data.
Can a group data item contain both numeric and alphanumeric data items?
- No
- Only if explicitly specified using the PICTURE clause
- Only if explicitly specified using the USAGE clause
- Yes
Yes, a group data item in COBOL can contain both numeric and alphanumeric data items. This flexibility allows for the grouping of related data items regardless of their data types, facilitating better organization and readability of code.
When defining a group data item in COBOL, what does the REDEFINES clause allow you to do?
- Create a new data item
- Define the length of the data item
- Reuse the same memory space for different data representations
- Specify the data type of the item
The REDEFINES clause in COBOL allows you to reuse the same memory space for different data representations. This means that one data item can be defined in terms of another, sharing the same memory space, which can be useful for data conversions and optimizations.
In a multi-user environment, what can happen if two users try to update the same record in a file simultaneously?
- Both users can successfully update the record without any issues
- Data inconsistency or corruption may occur
- The file will automatically merge the updates from both users
- The system will generate an error and prevent simultaneous updates
If two users try to update the same record in a file simultaneously without proper file locking, it can lead to data inconsistency or corruption. File locking is essential to control access and avoid conflicts in such scenarios.
You are tasked with optimizing a COBOL program that reads and processes a large sequential file. Which technique would you consider for reducing I/O operations and improving performance?
- Adding additional indexes to the file
- Implementing a buffer pool
- Increasing the block size of the file
- Using direct access instead of sequential access
Implementing a buffer pool involves buffering records in memory to reduce I/O operations when reading from or writing to the file. This can significantly improve performance by minimizing disk access and reducing overhead associated with disk I/O operations.
In COBOL, which intrinsic function is employed to calculate the square root of a numeric value?
- ABS
- COS
- LOG
- SQRT
The SQRT (Square Root) intrinsic function in COBOL is used to calculate the square root of a numeric value. It returns a result that, when squared, equals the original numeric value.