In COBOL, when is the UNTIL condition evaluated in a PERFORM UNTIL loop?
- After each iteration of the loop
- At the end of the program execution
- Before entering the loop for the first time
- Only if the loop encounters an EXIT statement
In a PERFORM UNTIL loop, the UNTIL condition is evaluated after each iteration. The loop continues executing as long as the condition is false, and it terminates when the condition becomes true.
Which COBOL data type is commonly used to store date and time values?
- PIC 9
- PIC 9(8) COMP-3
- PIC S9(4)V9(2) COMP
- PIC X
PIC 9(8) COMP-3 is commonly used to store date and time values in COBOL. This format allows for efficient storage of packed decimal values representing dates and times.
How can you ensure that a variable retains its value between multiple program invocations in COBOL?
- By declaring the variable as STATIC
- By specifying the VALUE clause during variable declaration
- By using the ACCEPT verb
- By using the INITIALIZE verb
In COBOL, declaring a variable as STATIC ensures that its value persists between multiple program invocations. Static variables retain their values throughout the program's execution.
What is the significance of the FILE SECTION in the COBOL Data Division?
- It declares variables for temporary storage
- It defines the data items used within a program
- It handles file input/output operations
- It specifies the file structure and characteristics
The FILE SECTION in COBOL's Data Division is used to specify the characteristics of files used in the program, such as record format, access mode, and file organization. It plays a crucial role in file processing operations.
In COBOL, which data type is often used for representing monetary values?
- PIC 9
- PIC 9(3) USAGE IS MONEY
- PIC S9(5)V99 COMP-3
- PIC X
The COBOL data type PIC S9(5)V99 COMP-3 is commonly used for representing monetary values. It is a packed-decimal format that efficiently stores decimal numbers, making it suitable for financial calculations.
In COBOL, what is the purpose of the COMPUTE statement?
- To compare two data items
- To initialize variables with default values
- To manipulate string data
- To perform complex arithmetic operations on numeric data items
The COMPUTE statement in COBOL is used for performing complex arithmetic operations on numeric data items. It provides a concise and readable way to express arithmetic computations in COBOL programs.
You are working on a COBOL program where you need to process a list of customer names. Which type of PERFORM loop would be most appropriate for this task, and why?
- PERFORM THRU loop
- PERFORM UNTIL loop
- PERFORM VARYING loop
- PERFORM WITH TEST BEFORE loop
A PERFORM VARYING loop would be most appropriate for processing a list of customer names. This loop is used when there is a need to iterate through a range of values, such as processing elements in an array or a list. It allows you to control the loop by specifying the initial and final values, making it suitable for handling customer names sequentially.
Your COBOL program is reading records from a file, and you want to specify actions to be taken when invalid data is encountered. Which phrase should you use with the READ verb?
- AT END
- END-OF-FILE
- INVALID KEY
- NOT INVALID
In COBOL, the phrase "INVALID KEY" is used with the READ verb to specify actions to be taken when invalid data is encountered during a file read operation. This allows the program to handle data validation errors gracefully and take appropriate actions based on the encountered condition.
What is the purpose of the CONTINUE statement in COBOL error handling?
- To handle runtime errors gracefully
- To restart the program execution from the beginning
- To terminate the program abruptly
- To transfer control to the next statement in the program
The CONTINUE statement in COBOL is used to transfer control to the next statement in the program. It is often used in error handling routines to proceed with the next logical step after encountering an error condition.
In COBOL, what does the "INVALID KEY" phrase do in the context of file processing?
- It denotes the key attribute for a record in a file
- It indicates that the file is corrupted and cannot be used
- It is used to declare a key as invalid in the file definition
- It is used to specify the action to be taken when an invalid key is encountered during file processing
The "INVALID KEY" phrase in COBOL is used to specify the action to be taken when an invalid key is encountered during file processing. This allows the program to handle errors gracefully and take appropriate actions, such as providing a default value or performing specific error-handling logic.