The _____ file organization in COBOL is used for storing records in the order they are written.
- Indexed
- Random
- Relative
- Sequential
In COBOL, a Sequential file organization is used to store records in the order they are written. This means that records are stored one after another, and the order of records is maintained based on their physical placement in the file.
How do you declare a global variable in COBOL?
- By declaring the variable in the FILE SECTION
- By placing the variable in the WORKING-STORAGE section
- By using the GLOBAL keyword in the VARIABLE clause
- COBOL does not support global variables
In COBOL, global variables are declared in the WORKING-STORAGE section. This makes the variable accessible to all procedures within the program, ensuring a global scope.
In Object-Oriented COBOL, what is an object?
- A data structure
- A subroutine in a program
- A variable declaration
- An instance of a class
In Object-Oriented COBOL, an object is an instance of a class. A class defines a blueprint or template for objects, and an object is a concrete realization of that blueprint, encapsulating both data and behavior associated with the class.
You are working on a COBOL application that interacts with external web services. How can you handle exceptions related to network connectivity issues?
- Implementing the COBOL EVALUATE statement
- Incorporating the COBOL HANDLE statement
- Using the COBOL ON EXCEPTION clause
- Utilizing the COBOL PERFORM statement
Handling exceptions related to network connectivity issues can be done by using the COBOL ON EXCEPTION clause. This allows you to specify actions to take when a particular exception occurs, such as handling network-related errors gracefully in the context of interacting with external web services.
Your team is encountering record locking issues when multiple users are simultaneously accessing a VSAM indexed file. How would you implement file locking strategies to address this problem?
- Option 1: Implementing shared locks for all users
- Option 2: Using exclusive locks for all transactions
- Option 3: Employing a combination of shared and exclusive locks strategically
- Option 4: Avoiding locks altogether for seamless access
Employing a combination of shared and exclusive locks strategically is the preferred approach. Shared locks allow multiple users to read the file simultaneously, while exclusive locks ensure exclusive access for write operations, minimizing conflicts and ensuring data integrity in a multi-user environment.
How does the ON EXCEPTION condition handler differ from the WHEN condition handler in COBOL?
- ON EXCEPTION and WHEN are interchangeable and can be used interchangeably
- ON EXCEPTION is used for handling logical conditions, while WHEN is used for unexpected runtime errors
- ON EXCEPTION is used for handling unexpected runtime errors, while WHEN is used for logical conditions
- ON EXCEPTION is used only for arithmetic operations, and WHEN is used for other conditions
In COBOL, the ON EXCEPTION condition handler is specifically designed for handling unexpected runtime errors, such as divide-by-zero or overflow errors. In contrast, the WHEN condition handler is used for handling logical conditions in the program.
You are developing a COBOL program that needs to calculate the square root of a given number. Which COBOL intrinsic function would you use for this purpose?
- ABS
- EXP
- LOG
- SQRT
The SQRT intrinsic function in COBOL is used to calculate the square root of a given number. It is suitable for scenarios where you need to perform mathematical operations involving square roots.
In COBOL, what type of file organization is suitable for random access to records?
- Indexed file organization
- Line sequential file organization
- Relative file organization
- Sequential file organization
Indexed file organization in COBOL is suitable for random access to records. It employs an index file that contains pointers to the actual records, enabling direct access based on the indexed key.
What is the primary objective of multi-user considerations when working with COBOL file handling?
- To ensure data consistency and integrity in a shared environment
- To minimize the execution time of COBOL programs
- To prioritize access based on user seniority
- To reduce the storage space required for files
The primary objective of multi-user considerations in COBOL file handling is to ensure data consistency and integrity in a shared environment. Proper mechanisms, such as file locking, are employed to manage concurrent access and prevent conflicts.
What is the difference between a figurative constant and a user-defined constant in COBOL?
- Figurative constants are declared using the CONSTANT keyword, while user-defined constants use the VALUE clause
- Figurative constants are numeric, and user-defined constants are alphanumeric
- Figurative constants represent predefined values like ZERO and SPACE, while user-defined constants are explicitly defined by the programmer using the VALUE clause
- There is no difference between figurative and user-defined constants in COBOL
Figurative constants in COBOL represent predefined values like ZERO, SPACE, etc. User-defined constants are explicitly defined by the programmer using the VALUE clause in the DATA DIVISION.