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.
Which COBOL file organization is typically associated with ISAM files?
- Indexed
- Line Sequential
- Relative
- Sequential
ISAM files in COBOL are typically associated with the indexed file organization. This file organization allows records to be directly accessed using an index, providing efficient retrieval and update operations based on key values.
When an error occurs in a COBOL program, what is the role of the "EXIT" statement?
- To display an error message to the user
- To jump to a specific paragraph and continue execution
- To skip the next statement and continue execution
- To terminate the program immediately
The "EXIT" statement in COBOL is used to jump to a specific paragraph when an error occurs, allowing for customized error handling and graceful termination of the program. It provides a way to manage errors and control the program flow based on specific conditions.
You are developing a COBOL program to process a file with variable-length records that represent customer orders. Each record has a different length based on the number of items ordered. What clause should you use to efficiently read and process these records?
- DEPENDING ON
- LINAGE IS 66
- OCCURS
- RECORDING MODE IS V
In COBOL, the DEPENDING ON clause is used to handle variable-length records. It allows the program to dynamically determine the length of the record based on the value specified in another field, such as the number of items ordered in this scenario.
What keyword is used to invoke a subprogram from within the main program?
- CALL
- INVOKE
- PERFORM
- SUBROUTINE
The CALL keyword is used in COBOL to invoke a subprogram from within the main program. It facilitates the transfer of control to the specified subprogram, which performs a specific task and returns control to the main program afterward.
The OCCURS clause in COBOL is primarily used to define ____________.
- A repeating group of data items
- A single data item
- A subroutine
- An index
The OCCURS clause in COBOL is used to define a repeating group of data items. It allows you to create arrays or tables where a data item occurs multiple times.
Explain the difference between a primary key and an alternate key in indexed file processing.
- Primary key allows duplicate values, while alternate key enforces uniqueness.
- Primary key is the default key, and alternate key is used for backup purposes.
- Primary key is used for sorting records in ascending order. Alternate key is the main key used for retrieval.
- Primary key uniquely identifies records and determines the file's physical order. Alternate key provides an alternative access path and can have duplicates.
In indexed file processing, a primary key uniquely identifies records and establishes the file's physical order. An alternate key provides an alternative access path without affecting the physical order and can have duplicate values.