In COBOL, the _____ feature of indexed files allows you to efficiently handle duplicate keys.
- Duplicate Key
- Index Key
- Merge Key
- Unique Key
The Duplicate Key feature in COBOL indexed files enables efficient handling of records with duplicate keys. This allows for easy retrieval and manipulation of data associated with duplicate key values.
How can file organization impact performance optimization in COBOL programs?
- Direct file organization results in slower access
- File organization has no impact on performance
- Indexed file organization offers better performance
- Sequential file organization allows for faster access
File organization significantly impacts performance optimization in COBOL programs. Sequential file organization generally allows for faster access due to its straightforward structure, minimizing seek time. Other file organizations may have different impacts based on the access patterns of the application.
What is the primary advantage of using Object-Oriented COBOL compared to traditional COBOL?
- Enhanced support for procedural programming
- Improved code reusability
- Increased program execution speed
- Simplified syntax
The primary advantage of Object-Oriented COBOL lies in improved code reusability. Object-oriented principles, such as encapsulation and inheritance, enable developers to create modular and reusable code, promoting a more efficient and maintainable software development process.
How is data storage allocated for a COBOL array defined using the OCCURS clause?
- Allocation based on the DEPENDING ON clause
- Allocation determined by the INDEXED BY phrase
- Contiguous memory allocation for all occurrences
- Separate memory allocation for each occurrence
Data storage for a COBOL array defined using the OCCURS clause is allocated contiguously in memory for all occurrences. This ensures that the array elements are stored in a sequential block, allowing for efficient access and manipulation of array data.
In COBOL, _______ locks allow multiple users to read a file simultaneously, but only one user can write to it.
- Exclusive
- Read-only
- Shared
- Update
In COBOL, Exclusive locks allow multiple users to read a file simultaneously, but only one user can write to it. This ensures data integrity by preventing concurrent writes that could lead to inconsistencies. Shared locks, on the other hand, allow multiple users to read the file simultaneously without preventing each other.
What is the purpose of the INSPECT statement in COBOL?
- It allocates storage for a group of data items
- It controls the flow of the program
- It is used for arithmetic operations on numeric data
- It is used for searching and replacing specified characters in a string
The INSPECT statement in COBOL is employed for searching and replacing specified characters within a string. It provides a powerful mechanism for manipulating character data, facilitating tasks such as data cleaning and transformation.
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.
When using the MERGE statement in COBOL, what condition must be met for the input files?
- They must be in the same data division
- They must be individually sorted in ascending order
- They must contain numeric data only
- They must have the same record length
In COBOL, when using the MERGE statement, the input files must be individually sorted in ascending order based on the key fields specified in the MERGE statement. This ensures a successful merging process.
When dealing with indexed files in COBOL, what is the role of the index file?
- It compresses the data to save storage space
- It contains pointers to the actual records in the data file
- It organizes records in a sequential order
- It stores backup copies of the data file
The index file in COBOL's indexed file organization contains pointers to the actual records in the data file. This allows for efficient random access to records based on the indexed key.
In a COBOL program for processing employee data, you need to store the employee's unique identification number. Which type of COBOL variable would you use for this purpose?
- PIC 9(5) DISPLAY
- PIC 9(6) USAGE COMP-3
- PIC S9(9)
- PIC X(10)
For storing unique identification numbers in COBOL, PIC S9(9) is appropriate. It allows for numeric values with sign, suitable for representing employee IDs.