What is the main purpose of error handling in COBOL programs?
- To detect and respond to unexpected situations during program execution
- To enhance program performance
- To improve program readability
- To reduce the size of the program code
Error handling in COBOL is crucial for detecting and responding to unexpected situations, such as invalid input or system errors, ensuring graceful program execution and preventing unintended consequences.
In COBOL, how can you handle multiple conditions efficiently using the "EVALUATE" statement?
- By employing the "ELSE" clause
- By specifying different conditions using "WHEN" clauses
- By using nested "IF" statements
- By utilizing the "ALSO" keyword
The "EVALUATE" statement in COBOL allows efficient handling of multiple conditions by using "WHEN" clauses. Each "WHEN" clause represents a different condition, providing a clear and structured way to handle various cases.
The COBOL intrinsic function FUNCTION ______ is commonly used for string manipulation.
- LENGTH
- REVERSE
- TRIM
- UPPER-CASE
The FUNCTION TRIM in COBOL is commonly used for string manipulation. It allows you to remove leading and trailing spaces from a string, providing a cleaner and more controlled data representation.
In COBOL, what is the primary purpose of the INVALID KEY phrase when using the READ verb?
- It indicates the end of the file
- It is a syntax error
- It is used to specify actions to be taken if an I/O operation fails
- It signifies an invalid condition in the data being read
The INVALID KEY phrase in the READ verb is used to handle situations where there is an invalid condition in the data being read. This can include data conversion errors or data integrity issues, allowing the program to take specific actions when such conditions occur.
When using the OPEN verb in COBOL, what is the primary purpose of specifying the ACCESS MODE clause?
- To allocate storage space for the file
- To define the file's record length
- To define the type of access allowed for the file (SEQUENTIAL or RANDOM)
- To specify the file organization (SEQUENTIAL or INDEXED)
The ACCESS MODE clause in the OPEN verb is used to specify the type of access allowed for the file. It determines whether the file will be accessed sequentially or randomly.
Which COBOL file control verb is used to write records to an open file?
- CLOSE
- OPEN
- READ
- WRITE
In COBOL, the WRITE verb is used to add records to an open file. It allows the program to insert data into the file, either at the end or at a specified position.
When using the OCCURS clause, the DEPENDING ON phrase specifies the number of times the data item ____________.
- Can be repeated
- Is referenced by another variable
- Occurs
- Should be moved to a different table
When using the OCCURS clause in COBOL, the DEPENDING ON phrase specifies the number of times the data item can be repeated. It allows for dynamic array sizing based on the value of another variable.
Date validation is crucial to ensure that dates in COBOL programs are _____ and _____.
- Accurate and Consistent
- Alphanumeric and Numeric
- Unique and Distinct
- Valid and Within Range
Date validation in COBOL is essential to ensure that dates are valid and within the expected range. This helps prevent errors and ensures the reliability of date-related operations in programs.
What is the purpose of the INITIALIZE verb in COBOL?
- To declare variables in COBOL
- To initialize variables with random values
- To set all data items to their default values
- To terminate the COBOL program
The INITIALIZE verb in COBOL is used to set all data items to their default values. It is commonly used at the beginning of a program to initialize variables and data structures before processing begins.
In the COBOL Procedure Division, which statement is used for making decisions and implementing conditional logic?
- ACCEPT statement
- EVALUATE statement
- IF statement
- PERFORM statement
The EVALUATE statement in COBOL is used for making decisions and implementing conditional logic. It allows for multiple conditions to be tested, and corresponding actions to be taken based on the true condition.