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.
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.
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.
What is a cursor in COBOL when dealing with database operations?
- A control structure used to iterate over database records
- A database object used to store query results
- A mechanism to establish database connections
- An index used to optimize database queries
In COBOL, a cursor is a control structure used to iterate over the result set of a SQL query. It enables sequential access to individual rows returned by the query, allowing COBOL programs to process database records one at a time. Cursors are essential for handling database operations involving multiple rows of data.
How do you access an element within an array in COBOL?
- By using ACCEPT statement
- By using ADD statement
- By using MOVE statement
- By using subscript or index
In COBOL, you access an element within an array by using a subscript or index. This index specifies the position of the desired element in the array, allowing for easy retrieval and manipulation of data.