When using the READ verb in COBOL, what happens when the end-of-file (EOF) condition is encountered?
- The program ignores the EOF condition
- The program terminates abruptly
- The system automatically opens the next available file
- The system raises an end-of-file (EOF) status code
When the READ verb in COBOL encounters the end-of-file (EOF) condition, the system raises an end-of-file status code. This allows the program to handle the conclusion of file processing gracefully.
You are developing a COBOL program that reads data from an external file. What would you do if the file does not exist when you attempt to open it?
- Check the FILE STATUS after the OPEN statement
- Perform a manual check using IF conditions
- Use the INVALID KEY clause in the file control entry
- Utilize the EXIT PROGRAM statement
When attempting to open a file, using the INVALID KEY clause in the file control entry allows you to handle the situation where the file does not exist. You can specify a set of actions to be taken if the file opening fails, providing a mechanism for graceful error handling.
In COBOL, to open a file for both reading and writing, you typically use the _____ access mode.
- EXTEND
- I-O
- INPUT
- OUTPUT
The I-O (Input-Output) access mode in COBOL is used to open a file for both reading and writing operations. This allows the program to perform a combination of read and write operations on the same file.
In COBOL, what are the advantages of using subprograms?
- Code Reusability, Maintainability, and Improved Readability
- Enhanced Input/Output Operations
- Improved Control Flow
- Increased Program Complexity, Slower Execution
Using subprograms in COBOL offers advantages such as code reusability, maintainability, and improved readability. By breaking down a program into smaller modules, developers can reuse code segments, making it easier to maintain and understand the program.
Your COBOL program handles financial data, and you need to convert numeric amounts to their equivalent string representations. Which COBOL intrinsic function is suitable for this task?
- FUNCTION NUMVAL
- FUNCTION NUMCHECK
- FUNCTION NUMERIC
- FUNCTION EDIT
The FUNCTION EDIT intrinsic function in COBOL is suitable for converting numeric amounts to their equivalent string representations. It provides formatting options for numeric data, making it useful in financial applications.
In COBOL, the ________ statement is used for performing complex arithmetic operations.
- ADD
- COMPUTE
- MOVE
- PERFORM
The COMPUTE statement in COBOL is used for performing complex arithmetic operations involving multiple variables. It allows for the execution of arithmetic expressions with various mathematical operators.
You are working on a COBOL project that involves reading and processing multiple bank transactions, each with various details like transaction type, date, and amount. How would you structure the data using group data items in COBOL?
- Arrange the data using JUSTIFIED alignment
- Group each transaction detail under a single name using a GROUP data item
- Use OCCURS to repeat the transaction details for each record
- Utilize REDEFINES to redefine the transaction details
In a COBOL project involving multiple bank transactions, grouping each transaction detail under a single name using the GROUP data item is a suitable approach. This allows you to organize and access related information like transaction type, date, and amount efficiently.
When working with arithmetic operations in COBOL, the ________ statement is used to control the flow of execution based on conditions.
- ADD
- EVALUATE
- MOVE
- PERFORM
The EVALUATE statement in COBOL is used for conditional execution based on the result of arithmetic operations. It allows for a concise and readable way to handle multiple conditions.
When using a relative file organization, the _____ number is used to access records.
- File
- Index
- Record
- Relative
In a relative file organization in COBOL, the relative record number is used to access records. This number specifies the position of the record relative to the beginning of the file, allowing for direct access to specific records.
What is the significance of the REDEFINES clause when defining data items in COBOL?
- It allows two or more data items to share the same storage space
- It declares a constant value for a data item
- It defines a new record format for a file
- It specifies the length of a data item
The REDEFINES clause in COBOL is used to allow two or more data items to share the same storage space. This can be useful for representing the same data in different formats or units, optimizing memory usage.