When working with COBOL and databases, the _____ clause is used to specify the host variable's data type for SQL statements.
- DECLARE
- FETCH
- INTO
- USING
In COBOL, when dealing with databases and SQL statements, the DECLARE clause is used to specify the host variable's data type. This information is crucial for the proper execution of SQL statements that involve data retrieval or manipulation.
What is the role of the INITIALIZE statement in COBOL?
- It assigns an initial value to a variable
- It deallocates memory space for a variable
- It declares a variable and allocates storage space
- It initializes the COBOL environment
The INITIALIZE statement in COBOL is used to assign an initial value to a variable. It is commonly used to set variables to predefined values before the actual processing begins. This ensures predictable behavior and prevents the use of uninitialized variables.
A subprogram can have its own _____ section for local data.
- FILE
- LINKAGE
- LOCAL-STORAGE
- WORKING-STORAGE
A subprogram in COBOL can have its own LOCAL-STORAGE section for declaring local data items. These items are private to the subprogram and retain their values between successive calls to the subprogram.
How are COBOL structures different from simple data items?
- COBOL structures are always stored in binary format, while simple data items are stored in ASCII format
- COBOL structures are not supported in modern programming
- COBOL structures are used only for numeric data, while simple data items are used for alphanumeric data
- COBOL structures group related data items, while simple data items represent individual elements
COBOL structures differ from simple data items as they are used to group related data items together, providing a way to represent complex entities. Simple data items, on the other hand, represent individual elements without grouping.
What is the purpose of the "RESUME" statement in error recovery strategies?
- Allows the program to continue execution after handling an exception
- Reverts the program to its initial state
- Rolls back changes made to files
- Terminates the program to prevent further errors
The "RESUME" statement in COBOL is used to allow the program to continue execution after handling an exception. It helps in implementing controlled error recovery strategies, ensuring that the program can gracefully recover from errors and continue processing.
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.
What is the significance of the RECORD KEY clause when defining VSAM and ISAM files in COBOL?
- It defines the length of each record in the file
- It identifies the field used as a key to uniquely identify records in the file
- It indicates the position of the record within the file
- It specifies the physical location of the file on the disk
The RECORD KEY clause in COBOL is significant when defining VSAM and ISAM files as it identifies the field used as a key to uniquely identify records in the file. This key is essential for direct access to specific records.
You are developing a COBOL application that requires modeling real-world entities and their relationships. Which Object-Oriented COBOL concept would you use to achieve this?
- Abstract Data Types
- Encapsulation
- Inheritance
- Polymorphism
In Object-Oriented COBOL, Inheritance is used to model real-world entities and their relationships. It allows a class to inherit attributes and behaviors from another class, promoting code reusability and representing an "is-a" relationship.
The MERGE statement in COBOL is often used for _____ files with a common key.
- Combining
- Indexing
- Merging
- Sorting
The MERGE statement in COBOL is used for merging files with a common key. It allows records from multiple sorted input files to be merged into a single sorted output file based on the specified key.
In COBOL, what happens when you open a file in "Output" mode that already exists?
- It appends the new data to the existing file
- It deletes the existing file
- It overwrites the existing file with the new data
- It raises a compilation error
When a file is opened in "Output" mode in COBOL, it overwrites the existing file with the new data. This mode is used for creating a new file or replacing the content of an existing one.