In a COBOL program, you are not getting the expected results, and you suspect it's due to a logic error. Describe the steps you would follow to debug and correct the issue.

  • Check for syntax errors
  • Increase memory allocation
  • Reinstall COBOL compiler
  • Review the program's logic and flow
When encountering unexpected results in a COBOL program, suspected to be due to a logic error, the first step is to review the program's logic and flow. This involves analyzing the program's algorithms, conditions, and data processing steps to identify any logical inconsistencies or errors. Debugging techniques may include adding temporary diagnostic output, tracing program execution, using breakpoints, and employing step-by-step execution tools to isolate and correct the logic error.

When a group data item is used to represent a record structure, each individual data item within the group can be referred to as a __________.

  • Division
  • Element
  • Field
  • Segment
When a group data item is used to represent a record structure, each individual data item within the group is referred to as an Element. It is important to understand the terminology when dealing with hierarchical data structures.

To retrieve the total number of occurrences in a table, you can use the _____ special register.

  • COUNTER
  • INDEX
  • OCCURS
  • REDEFINES
In COBOL, the OCCURS special register is used to retrieve the total number of occurrences in a table. It provides information about the size of the table defined using the OCCURS clause.

The ________ operator is used for raising a numeric value to a specified power in COBOL.

  • CALCULATE
  • EXPONENTIATION
  • MATH
  • POWER
In COBOL, the EXPONENTIATION operator (**) is used for raising a numeric value to a specified power. For example, X ** 2 represents X squared.

Which SQL statement is used in COBOL to retrieve data from a database table?

  • DELETE
  • INSERT
  • SELECT
  • UPDATE
The SELECT statement is used in COBOL programs to retrieve data from one or more tables in a database. It allows specifying the columns to be retrieved and conditions for filtering data, enabling the extraction of specific information from the database.

The ________ clause in the FILE CONTROL paragraph is used to specify the organization of a file.

  • ACCESS
  • FILE
  • ORGANIZATION
  • RECORD
In the FILE CONTROL paragraph of a COBOL program, the ORGANIZATION clause is used to specify the organization of a file. It defines how the records within the file are structured and stored, such as SEQUENTIAL or INDEXED.

In COBOL, the _____ clause is used to define a variable with a scope limited to a specific paragraph or section.

  • FILE
  • LINKAGE
  • LOCAL-STORAGE
  • WORKING-STORAGE
In COBOL, the LOCAL-STORAGE clause is used to define a variable with a scope limited to a specific paragraph or section. Variables declared under LOCAL-STORAGE are accessible only within the specific paragraph or section where they are defined.

What is the purpose of the COBOL Data Division?

  • To declare variables for arithmetic operations
  • To define the data items used in the program
  • To handle file input and output
  • To specify the sequence of program execution
The COBOL Data Division is used to define the data items that the program uses. It includes the description of variables, constants, and records necessary for processing data in the program.

The COMPUTE statement in COBOL is often used for _____ complex arithmetic calculations.

  • Automating
  • Debugging
  • Executing
  • Simplifying
The COMPUTE statement in COBOL is used for simplifying complex arithmetic calculations. It provides a concise and readable way to perform calculations on numeric data items in COBOL programs.

In COBOL, what is the purpose of the 88-level condition names in the Data Division?

  • To associate a condition with a data item for use in the PROCEDURE DIVISION
  • To define a level of precision for numeric data items
  • To represent a loop in the program logic
  • To specify the length of a group item
The 88-level condition names in COBOL are used to associate conditions with data items. These conditions can be checked in the PROCEDURE DIVISION using the IF statement, allowing for more readable and meaningful code.