In your COBOL program, you need to handle the situation where a file record exceeds the defined maximum length. How would you approach this exception?
- Implement error handling using the FILE STATUS clause
- Increase the MAXIMUM RECORD SIZE in the file's FD entry
- Use the INVALID KEY clause in the file control entry
- Utilize the ON SIZE ERROR clause in the FILE SECTION
Handling file record length exceptions can be done by utilizing the ON SIZE ERROR clause in the FILE SECTION. This clause allows you to specify actions to be taken if a record size exceeds the defined maximum length.
What is the role of the RETURN statement in the COBOL Procedure Division?
- It is used to define a return value for a function
- It is used to exit a paragraph or section and return control to the calling program
- It is used to return a value from a called subroutine
- It is used to terminate the entire COBOL program
The RETURN statement in COBOL is used to exit a paragraph or section, returning control to the calling program. It is essential for managing program flow and ensuring proper execution.
________ is a technique used in COBOL to ensure data integrity during exceptional situations.
- Checkpoint
- Recovery
- Restart
- Rollback
Recovery is a technique used in COBOL to ensure data integrity during exceptional situations. It involves actions such as rollback, checkpoint, or restart to bring the system back to a consistent state after an exception.
When using the REDEFINES clause in COBOL, what happens to the memory occupied by the redefined data items?
- It is deallocated
- It is marked as read-only
- It is reallocated with a new address
- It is shared with the original data item
When the REDEFINES clause is used in COBOL, the memory occupied by the redefined data items is shared with the memory of the original data item. This means both the original and redefined data items refer to the same memory location, enabling different ways to interpret the stored data.
In indexed file processing, what is the role of the index or key in accessing records?
- It is a secondary field used for display purposes only
- It is not relevant in indexed file processing
- It is used for sorting records within the file
- It is used to uniquely identify each record and determine its storage location
The index or key in indexed file processing serves as a unique identifier for each record, allowing the system to locate and retrieve the desired record efficiently. It facilitates quick and direct access to records based on the specified key.
What is the key difference between the REDEFINES clause and the RENAMES clause in COBOL?
- Both clauses serve the same purpose
- REDEFINES is used for reinterpreting data with different formats, while RENAMES is used for providing alternate names to data items
- REDEFINES is used only for numeric data items, while RENAMES is used for alphanumeric data items
- RENAMES is used for reinterpreting data with different formats, while REDEFINES is used for providing alternate names to data items
The key difference is that the REDEFINES clause is used for reinterpreting data with different formats, allowing multiple ways to view the same storage, while the RENAMES clause provides alternate names to data items, giving them multiple identifiers without changing the storage.
The _______ clause is used to define the format of the index or key field in COBOL indexed files.
- DATA
- KEY
- LENGTH
- RECORD
The KEY clause in COBOL is used to define the format of the index or key field in indexed files. It specifies the data item that serves as the key for organizing and accessing records in the file.
Which data types can the OCCURS clause be applied to in COBOL?
- Group items and elementary items
- Only alphabetic data types
- Only elementary items
- Only numeric data types
The OCCURS clause in COBOL can be applied to both group items and elementary items. It allows the definition of repeating data structures for both simple and complex data types, providing flexibility in handling repeated data.
The INSPECT statement in COBOL allows you to search for and _____ occurrences of specific characters or phrases in a field.
- Replace
- Delete
- Count
- Add
The INSPECT statement in COBOL is used for string manipulation. The COUNT option allows you to count the occurrences of specific characters or phrases in a given field, providing flexibility in handling character data.
The 88-level condition names in COBOL are used for creating ________ conditions based on data values.
- Boolean
- Exclusive
- Parallel
- Sequential
The 88-level condition names in COBOL are used for creating Boolean conditions based on specific data values. They provide a convenient way to express conditions in a more readable and self-explanatory manner.