How can you ensure that errors in a COBOL program are reported to the appropriate personnel?
- Employ the DISPLAY statement to print errors on the screen
- Implement proper error handling and logging mechanisms
- Log errors in a local file for later analysis
- Use the ACCEPT statement to prompt the user for error details
To ensure that errors in a COBOL program are reported to the appropriate personnel, it's crucial to implement proper error handling and logging mechanisms. This may involve writing error details to log files or notifying administrators for further action.
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.
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.
In COBOL, how is the REDEFINES clause used to redefine data items?
- By assigning a new value to the redefined item
- By changing the data type of the redefined item
- By specifying a new name for the data item being redefined
- By specifying a new size for the redefined item
In COBOL, the REDEFINES clause is used by specifying a new name for the data item being redefined. This allows the new name to share the storage space of the original data item.
The _____ clause is used to specify the level number of a data item in COBOL.
- DATA
- LEVEL
- OCCURS
- PICTURE
The LEVEL clause in COBOL is used to specify the level number of a data item. It indicates the hierarchical level of the data item within the data hierarchy.
Which arithmetic operation has the highest precedence in COBOL expressions?
- Addition
- Division
- Multiplication
- Subtraction
In COBOL, multiplication has the highest precedence in arithmetic expressions. It is essential to understand the operator precedence rules to ensure accurate computation of expressions.
What are some common challenges in handling time zones when dealing with date and time in COBOL?
- Allowing user-defined time zones
- Dealing with daylight saving time changes
- Ensuring consistent conversion across different time zones
- Managing offset differences
Common challenges in handling time zones include ensuring consistent conversion, addressing daylight saving time changes, and managing offset differences between different time zones.
In COBOL, the indexed file's key is often used to perform _____ operations on records.
- Access
- Arithmetic
- Sorting
- Update
In COBOL, the indexed file's key is frequently used to perform access operations on records. The key allows efficient retrieval and manipulation of records based on the specified criteria.