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What does the "CONFIGURATION SECTION" contain in the "ENVIRONMENT DIVISION" of a COBOL program?

  • Configuration details for external files and devices
  • Procedure details for program logic
  • System settings for program execution
  • Variable declarations for program data
The "CONFIGURATION SECTION" in the "ENVIRONMENT DIVISION" of a COBOL program contains configuration details for external files and devices, specifying their organization, access modes, and other relevant attributes.
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To make a variable accessible across different programs in COBOL, you can use the _____ clause.

  • EXPORT
  • EXTERNAL
  • GLOBAL-STORAGE
  • LINKAGE
To make a variable accessible across different programs in COBOL, you can use the EXTERNAL clause. This allows variables to be shared between programs, enabling data interchange between them.
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What are some advantages of using relative file processing over sequential file processing in COBOL?

  • Dynamic sorting of records, automatic key generation, enhanced security features
  • Faster record access, ability to insert and delete records randomly, supports direct access to records
  • Sequential access with no random access, limited storage usage, suitable for small datasets
  • Simple and easy to implement, lower storage requirements, suitable for large datasets
Relative file processing in COBOL offers advantages such as faster record access, the ability to insert and delete records randomly, and support for direct access to records based on relative record numbers. This makes it efficient for certain types of applications compared to sequential file processing.
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To minimize disk I/O in COBOL, it's essential to use ____________ techniques for file access.

  • Direct
  • Indexed
  • Relative
  • Sequential
Indexed file access techniques in COBOL involve using indexes to locate and retrieve records directly, reducing the need for sequential searches. This minimizes disk I/O by providing a more efficient way to access specific records without scanning the entire file sequentially.
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In a COBOL program, you need to store a date of birth. Which data type should you use to ensure compatibility with international date formats?

  • PIC 9(8)
  • PIC 9(8) COMP-3
  • PIC X(10)
  • PIC X(8)
The PIC X(10) data type in COBOL is suitable for storing a date of birth while ensuring compatibility with international date formats. It allows for the representation of date values in a text format without imposing a specific internal structure.
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What is the primary purpose of using subprograms in COBOL?

  • To control program execution flow
  • To declare variables in COBOL
  • To handle input/output operations
  • To modularize and organize code for better maintainability
Subprograms in COBOL are used to modularize code, allowing developers to break down a program into smaller, manageable parts. This promotes better code organization, readability, and maintenance.
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In COBOL, when dealing with variable-length records, the "DEPENDING ON" clause is used to specify the ______ upon which the length of a record depends.

  • data type
  • field or condition
  • file organization
  • record type
The "DEPENDING ON" clause in COBOL is used to specify the field or condition upon which the length of a record depends. It allows the record length to vary dynamically based on the value of the specified field or condition. This is particularly useful when dealing with files containing variable-length records.
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You are working on a COBOL program that deals with financial transactions. Which COBOL data type would you choose to store currency amounts with two decimal places accurately?

  • PIC S9(11)V9(2) COMP
  • PIC S9(11)V9(2) COMP-3
  • PIC S9(13)V9(2) COMP
  • PIC S9(13)V9(2) COMP-3
The PIC S9(11)V9(2) COMP-3 data type in COBOL is suitable for storing currency amounts with two decimal places accurately. It represents a packed-decimal format, ensuring precise storage and manipulation of decimal values.
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The CURRENT-DATE special register stores the current _____ and _____.

  • Date and Time
  • Day and Month
  • Month and Year
  • Year and Time
The CURRENT-DATE special register in COBOL stores the current date and time, providing a convenient way to capture the system date and time when a program is executed.
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How does the EXIT statement differ from the CONTINUE statement in COBOL error handling?

  • CONTINUE is used to exit the program
  • CONTINUE is used to transfer control to the next statement
  • EXIT is used to exit a specific paragraph or section
  • EXIT is used to terminate the entire program
The EXIT statement in COBOL is used to exit a specific paragraph or section, providing a structured way to control the flow of the program. In contrast, the CONTINUE statement simply transfers control to the next statement without any conditional checks.
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