The _______ clause in COBOL is used to specify the file organization for indexed files, such as sequential or random.
- FILEORG
- FILEORGANIZE
- ORG
- ORGANIZATION
The ORGANIZATION clause in COBOL is used to specify the file organization for indexed files. It defines how records are stored and accessed, whether sequentially or randomly, impacting the efficiency of file operations.
What is the significance of the USAGE clause when defining data types in COBOL?
- It defines the size of the data
- It determines the level of the data item
- It indicates how the data will be used
- It specifies the format of the data
The USAGE clause in COBOL specifies how the data will be used, such as for display, computation, or indexing. It influences the internal representation and storage format of the data item.
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.
When working with an OCCURS clause in COBOL, what does the INDEXED BY phrase allow you to do?
- Associate an index with an OCCURS clause to reference individual occurrences
- Define the initial value of an OCCURS clause
- Determine the data type of the OCCURS clause
- Specify the maximum number of occurrences in an OCCURS clause
The INDEXED BY phrase in COBOL allows you to associate an index with an OCCURS clause. This index can be used to reference individual occurrences within the array, enabling efficient access and manipulation of data.
When using the ENTRY statement in COBOL, variables declared in the called program have a _____ scope.
- COMMON
- GLOBAL
- LOCAL
- SHARED
When using the ENTRY statement in COBOL, variables declared in the called program have a LOCAL scope. This means that they are local to the called program and are not accessible from the calling program or other programs.
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.