_____ variables in COBOL are those whose values are shared among all instances of a program.
- Common
- External
- Global
- Universal
Common variables in COBOL are those whose values are shared among all instances of a program. These variables are declared in a common area and can be accessed by multiple program modules.
When using a PERFORM loop in COBOL, what is the significance of the THRU clause?
- It defines the exit condition for the loop
- It indicates the continuation of a nested loop
- It is used to terminate the loop prematurely
- It specifies the range of paragraphs or sections to be repeated
The THRU clause in a PERFORM statement in COBOL is used to specify a range of paragraphs or sections to be repeated within the loop. It simplifies the code by avoiding the need to list each paragraph individually.
COBOL, what is "ON EXCEPTION UNDO" used for in error handling?
- To display an error message to the user
- To ignore exceptions and proceed with the program execution
- To roll back changes made to the file in case of an exception
- To terminate the program when an exception occurs
"ON EXCEPTION UNDO" in COBOL is used to roll back changes made to the file in case of an exception. It ensures data consistency by undoing any modifications made before the exception occurred.
In a COBOL program, when using a PERFORM loop with the VARYING clause, what is the role of the INDEX variable?
- It is not applicable to PERFORM loops with the VARYING clause
- It is used to control the loop execution by specifying the increment value
- It represents the total number of iterations in the loop
- It serves as a loop counter, indicating the current iteration
The INDEX variable in a PERFORM loop with the VARYING clause is crucial as it acts as a loop counter, keeping track of the current iteration. Program logic can be based on the value of the INDEX variable within the loop.
What does VSAM stand for in the context of COBOL file handling?
- Variable Storage Allocation Method
- Very Sequential Access Method
- Virtual Storage Access Method
- Volatile Storage Access Module
VSAM stands for Virtual Storage Access Method in the context of COBOL file handling. It is a file storage access method used to organize records in a file in a way that allows direct access to data based on the key.
Your COBOL program needs to maintain a counter that keeps track of the number of times a specific operation is performed. Which type of variable is suitable for this task?
- PIC 9(3) USAGE DISPLAY
- PIC 9(4)
- PIC 9(5) USAGE COMP-3
- PIC S9(6) USAGE COMP
For maintaining a counter in COBOL, PIC S9(6) USAGE COMP is appropriate. It is a signed numeric type that efficiently stores and increments numeric values.
How are COBOL group data items different from elementary data items?
- Group data items are always numeric, whereas elementary data items can be alphanumeric
- Group data items can contain other data items, including other groups, while elementary data items cannot
- Group data items cannot have a picture clause, unlike elementary data items
- Group data items do not support the REDEFINES clause, unlike elementary data items
COBOL group data items differ from elementary data items in that they can contain other data items, including other groups. This hierarchical structure allows for better organization and abstraction in the data design of a COBOL program.
What is the primary purpose of using the PERFORM statement in COBOL?
- To define a conditional loop in COBOL
- To execute a set of COBOL statements until a specified condition is met
- To perform arithmetic operations in COBOL
- To repeat a group of COBOL statements a specific number of times
The primary purpose of the PERFORM statement in COBOL is to execute a set of statements until a specified condition (UNTIL) is met, providing a powerful looping mechanism for program control flow.
Which conditional statement in COBOL allows you to test multiple conditions sequentially?
- EVALUATE
- IF-ELSE
- NEXT SENTENCE
- PERFORM UNTIL
The "EVALUATE" statement in COBOL allows you to test multiple conditions sequentially. It provides a concise and structured way to evaluate different conditions and execute corresponding blocks of code based on the true condition.
The USAGE IS _____ clause is used to specify the format of data storage for numeric data types in COBOL.
- COMPUTATIONAL
- DISPLAY
- INDEX
- REDEFINES
In COBOL, the USAGE IS clause is used to define the format of data storage for numeric data types. The COMPUTATIONAL clause, often followed by other keywords like COMP or COMP-3, indicates binary or packed-decimal storage formats.