Your COBOL program needs to process a large dataset of financial transactions that must be read in a specific order. Which file processing technique is most appropriate?
- Indexed processing
- Relative processing
- Sequential processing
- Sort the dataset before processing
For processing data in a specific order, Sequential processing is appropriate. This ensures that records are processed in the order they appear in the file.
In COBOL, the REDEFINES clause is often employed for optimizing memory usage, especially when working with _____
- Arrays
- Binary data
- Complex structures
- Numeric
The REDEFINES clause in COBOL is used to allow different data items to share the same storage space. This is particularly useful when working with complex structures to optimize memory usage.
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.
In COBOL, what is the role of the SORT statement when handling duplicate records?
- It arranges records in ascending order based on the specified key
- It has no impact on duplicate records
- It removes duplicate records from the file
- It separates duplicate records into a separate file
The SORT statement in COBOL, when used with the DUPLICATES phrase, segregates duplicate records into a separate output file, allowing for distinct processing of such records.
You are tasked with processing sales transaction data, and some transactions may be recorded twice due to system glitches. How would you ensure that such duplicate transactions are detected and managed correctly?
- Implement a check during data entry to prevent duplicate transactions
- Perform a sequential search on the transaction data to identify duplicates
- Use a COBOL program to perform a hash function on transaction IDs
- Utilize a COBOL file control system to flag and handle duplicate transactions
Utilizing a COBOL file control system to flag and handle duplicate transactions is a robust approach. This involves setting up mechanisms to detect and manage duplicates during the processing of sales transaction data, ensuring data accuracy and integrity.
In a COBOL program, you need to execute a stored procedure to update customer records in a database. How would you achieve this?
- EXEC SQL CALL
- EXEC SQL DECLARE
- EXEC SQL OPEN
- EXEC SQL UPDATE
To execute a stored procedure in COBOL, you would use the EXEC SQL CALL statement. This statement is specifically designed for invoking stored procedures in a database, allowing you to update customer records or perform other operations.
In a complex COBOL program, you notice the extensive use of the "LINKAGE SECTION." What is the primary purpose of this section, and when is it commonly used?
- It declares variables used only within the called subprogram
- It defines data items shared between a calling program and a called subprogram
- It indicates the sequence of program execution
- It specifies the input-output operations for external files
The "LINKAGE SECTION" in COBOL is used to define data items shared between a calling program and a called subprogram. It allows data to be passed between programs, facilitating communication and data sharing in a modular and organized manner.
When defining a data type in COBOL, the _____ clause is used to specify the number of characters or digits that a field can hold.
- LENGTH
- OCCURS
- PICTURE
- SIZE
The SIZE clause in COBOL is used to specify the number of characters or digits that a field can hold. It helps allocate the appropriate amount of storage for a data item.
When working with date fields in COBOL, what is the importance of date validation?
- Date validation ensures the date is in the correct format
- Date validation is unnecessary in COBOL
- It guarantees that the date falls within a specified range
- It verifies the existence of the date
Date validation in COBOL is crucial as it ensures that the date falls within a specified range, preventing errors and ensuring accurate processing of date-related operations in programs.
_____ is a strategy for handling duplicate records by aggregating data based on a common key.
- Aggregate
- Group By
- Rollup
- Summarize
The Group By strategy in COBOL involves aggregating data based on a common key, allowing for the consolidation and summarization of records with similar key values.