When using a PERFORM loop with the VARYING clause, the _______ clause defines the initial and final values for the loop control variable.
- BY
- FROM
- THRU
- TO
The VARYING clause in a COBOL PERFORM loop is used along with the FROM and TO keywords to specify the initial and final values for the loop control variable, determining the range of iteration.
When handling exceptions in COBOL programs, the "HANDLE EXCEPTION" phrase allows you to define custom _____ routines.
- Error reporting
- Exception handling
- Logging
- Recovery
The "HANDLE EXCEPTION" phrase in COBOL enables the programmer to define custom recovery routines that specify the actions to be taken when a specific exception is encountered. This facilitates customized exception handling and program recovery strategies.
When using the ADD statement in COBOL, the result is stored in the ________.
- LINKAGE SECTION
- WORKING-STORAGE
- accumulator
- identifier
When using the ADD statement in COBOL, the result is stored in the specified identifier. This identifier can be a data item, a literal, or a combination of both. It is essential for capturing the outcome of the addition operation.
What is the role of the "THRU" keyword in the "EVALUATE" statement?
- To assign a value to a variable
- To break out of the "EVALUATE" loop
- To indicate the end of the "EVALUATE" block
- To specify a range of conditions
The "THRU" keyword in the "EVALUATE" statement is used to specify a range of conditions. It simplifies code by allowing the same action to be taken for multiple consecutive conditions without listing each one separately.
What are the primary considerations when handling duplicate records in VSAM or ISAM files in COBOL?
- Consolidating duplicate keys into a single record
- Deleting duplicate keys during file creation, using only unique keys
- Ignoring duplicate keys for simplicity, avoiding the use of SORT operations
- Properly handling duplicate keys, utilizing SORT and MERGE operations, ensuring key uniqueness
Handling duplicate records in VSAM or ISAM files involves considerations like properly managing duplicate keys, using sorting operations to organize data, and ensuring key uniqueness to prevent data integrity issues.
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.
In a COBOL program for processing inventory records, how would you handle exceptions when an item is out of stock and cannot be shipped?
- EXCEPTION/ERROR declarative
- IF statement with GOTO
- PERFORM UNTIL
- READ...INVALID KEY
The EXCEPTION/ERROR declarative in COBOL allows you to handle exceptions, such as an item being out of stock, in a structured manner. It provides a clean separation of error-handling logic from the main processing flow, enhancing code readability and maintainability.
In a COBOL application that involves scheduling events at different times, how would you handle time zone conversions to ensure accurate event scheduling?
- Store all times in GMT and adjust during presentation
- Use COBOL TIMEZONE-CONVERSION intrinsic function
- Use standard time zones and convert to GMT before scheduling
- Utilize platform-specific time zone functions
To ensure accurate event scheduling in different time zones, it's advisable to store all times in GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) and adjust them during presentation. This helps in consistent handling of time across various regions.
Explain the role of the USING phrase in the SORT statement when working with external sort files.
- Defining the sort criteria
- Identifying the output file
- Specifying the input files to be sorted
- Specifying the working storage area
The USING phrase in the SORT statement is used to specify the input files to be sorted. It provides the names of the external sort files and their associated SELECT clauses, allowing the SORT statement to access and sort the data from these files.
The ____________ clause in COBOL can be used to specify the record size when defining file layouts.
- Length
- Organization
- Record
- Size
The LENGTH clause in COBOL is used to specify the size of records when defining file layouts. It determines the number of characters or bytes allocated for each record in a file, helping to organize data efficiently.