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.
When a file operation fails in COBOL, which special register contains the status code that can be checked for specific error conditions?
- ERROR-CODE
- FILE-STATUS
- RETURN-CODE
- STATUS-CODE
The FILE-STATUS special register in COBOL contains the status code that can be checked after a file operation to identify specific error conditions. Programmers can use this information to implement error-handling logic based on the nature of the error.
In Object-Oriented COBOL, what is method overloading, and how is it useful?
- It allows multiple methods with the same name but different parameters.
- It enforces encapsulation in classes.
- It is a technique to override inherited methods.
- It restricts the use of methods to a single class.
Method overloading in Object-Oriented COBOL refers to the ability to define multiple methods with the same name but different parameters. This is useful for creating more flexible and intuitive class interfaces, allowing methods with similar functionality to be invoked based on the context of usage.
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.
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.
In Object-Oriented COBOL, the _____ keyword is used to define a new class.
- CLASS
- DATA
- METHOD
- OBJECT
In Object-Oriented COBOL, the "CLASS" keyword is used to define a new class. It is used to encapsulate data and behavior into a single unit.
What is the purpose of file locking in COBOL when dealing with multi-user access?
- To compress files and reduce storage space
- To increase the speed of file access in a multi-user environment
- To prevent conflicts and ensure data integrity by allowing only one user to update a record at a time
- To restrict access to specific files based on user permissions
File locking in COBOL is used to prevent conflicts and maintain data integrity in a multi-user environment. It ensures that only one user can update a record at a time, avoiding issues such as data corruption or inconsistencies.