What is the purpose of the COBOL REDEFINES clause?
- To allocate memory for a variable
- To allow two or more data items to share the same storage space
- To declare a new variable
- To specify the data type of a variable
The COBOL REDEFINES clause is used to allow two or more data items to share the same storage space. It enables multiple names to reference the same memory location, providing flexibility in data representation.
In COBOL, the EXEC SQL _____ statement is used to declare an SQL cursor.
- CLOSE
- DECLARE
- FETCH
- OPEN
In COBOL, the EXEC SQL DECLARE statement is used to declare an SQL cursor. Cursors are used to navigate through the result sets obtained from SQL queries.
You are coding a COBOL program that reads records from a file until a specific condition is met. Which type of PERFORM loop and termination condition would you use in this scenario, and why?
- PERFORM THRU loop with a condition
- PERFORM UNTIL loop with a condition
- PERFORM VARYING loop with a condition in AFTER clause
- PERFORM WITH TEST BEFORE loop with a condition
A PERFORM UNTIL loop with a condition would be suitable for reading records from a file until a specific condition is met. The PERFORM UNTIL loop iterates until the specified condition becomes true, making it ideal for scenarios where you need to process records until a certain criterion is satisfied.
The REDEFINES clause is particularly useful when dealing with data conversion or changing the _____ of existing data items
- Data Types
- Lengths
- Names
- Values
The REDEFINES clause in COBOL is beneficial for handling data conversion or changing the values of existing data items. It allows for efficient memory utilization and facilitates manipulation of data.
You are developing a COBOL program for processing financial transactions, and you want to ensure that any error during processing is logged and reported. Which COBOL error handling technique would you choose for this scenario?
- EXIT PROGRAM statement
- ON EXCEPTION clause
- STOP RUN statement
- USE AFTER EXCEPTION option
The ON EXCEPTION clause in COBOL is used for handling errors during program execution. It allows you to define a set of actions to be taken when an exception occurs, such as logging and reporting errors in financial transactions.
How does COBOL facilitate the execution of dynamic SQL statements?
- Embedding SQL statements directly in the COBOL source code
- Including SQL statements in a separate file and linking at runtime
- Using the EXEC SQL statement with DECLARE CURSOR
- Utilizing the PREPARE statement to create a SQL statement
COBOL supports the execution of dynamic SQL statements through the PREPARE statement. It allows the program to dynamically create and execute SQL statements at runtime, providing flexibility in handling varying query requirements.
When working with indexed files, the _____ clause is used to specify the key structure.
- INDEXED
- KEYS
- OCCURS
- SORT
The KEYS clause in COBOL is used when working with indexed files to specify the key structure. It defines the fields that make up the index key, facilitating efficient access to records in the indexed file.
In COBOL, what is the purpose of the CALL statement when invoking a subprogram?
- To allocate storage for variables
- To declare a variable as a parameter
- To define a recursive subroutine
- To transfer control to another program or subprogram
The CALL statement in COBOL is used to transfer control from one program or subprogram to another. It allows programs to modularize code by invoking separate subprograms, improving code readability and maintainability.
How does the COBOL SORT verb differ from the MERGE verb in terms of their outputs?
- MERGE combines two or more files into a single sorted file
- MERGE creates a sorted master file, while SORT does not
- SORT generates sorted output files, while MERGE does not
- SORT merges records from multiple files based on specified criteria
The COBOL SORT verb is used to generate sorted output files based on specified criteria, whereas the MERGE verb is used to combine two or more input files into a single sorted output file. The SORT verb focuses on sorting, while MERGE is about combining and sorting simultaneously.
You have a COBOL program that reads data from a binary file and processes it. Which clause, including the REDEFINES clause, would you use to reinterpret binary data as a more human-readable format for reporting purposes?
- REDEFINES clause with 88-level condition names
- REDEFINES clause with OCCURS clause
- REDEFINES clause with a separate data structure
- USAGE DISPLAY clause
To reinterpret binary data for reporting, you would use the REDEFINES clause in conjunction with a separate data structure. This allows you to overlay the binary data with a structure that represents it in a more human-readable format for reporting purposes.