When a subprogram is called, the control returns to the _____ program after the subprogram execution is complete.
- Called
- Caller
- Child
- Parent
In COBOL, after the execution of a subprogram is complete, control returns to the calling program. The calling program is often referred to as the caller, and this mechanism allows for the integration of modular and reusable code.
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.
In COBOL, can you have a table with varying numbers of occurrences for each element?
- No, COBOL tables can only have a fixed number of occurrences
- No, COBOL tables must have a fixed number of occurrences for each element
- Yes, COBOL allows tables with varying numbers of occurrences for each element
- Yes, but it requires advanced programming techniques
Yes, in COBOL, tables can have varying numbers of occurrences for each element. This flexibility allows for more dynamic data structures in programs.
Which arithmetic operator is used to perform subtraction in COBOL?
- * (Multiply)
- + (Plus)
- - (Minus)
- / (Divide)
The subtraction operation in COBOL is represented by the minus (-) operator. It is used to subtract one numeric value from another in COBOL programs.
In COBOL, the REDEFINES clause is often used to share memory space between two data items with different _____
- Data Types
- Lengths
- Names
- Values
The REDEFINES clause in COBOL allows two or more data items to share the same memory space, but it's crucial that the redefined data items have the same starting lengths to avoid conflicts in memory allocation.
Your COBOL program interacts with external devices, and you want to handle errors gracefully without abruptly ending the program. Which statement is suitable for this scenario?
- CONTINUE
- EXIT PROGRAM
- HANDLE EXCEPTION
- STOP RUN
In this scenario, the CONTINUE statement is appropriate for handling errors gracefully without abruptly ending the COBOL program. It allows the program to proceed with the next statement, facilitating controlled error handling.
You are developing a COBOL program that reads data from an existing file and updates specific records. Which file access mode should you choose for this operation?
- EXTEND
- I-O
- INPUT
- OUTPUT
In this scenario, the correct file access mode is I-O (Input-Output). This mode allows both reading and updating of records in an existing file. It is suitable for situations where data needs to be read and modified within the same program.
When should you use the "Output" file access mode in COBOL?
- To perform both read and write operations on the file
- To read records sequentially from the file
- To update records in the file
- To write records to the file
The "Output" file access mode in COBOL is used when you want to write records to the file. It allows the program to add new records to the file but does not allow reading or updating of existing records.