In COBOL, what is the difference between a data item defined in the WORKING-STORAGE section and a data item defined in the FILE SECTION?
- Data items in the WORKING-STORAGE section are temporary, while those in the FILE SECTION are permanent
- WORKING-STORAGE section is for data definitions, and FILE SECTION is for program logic
- WORKING-STORAGE section is for input/output files, and FILE SECTION is for internal variables
- WORKING-STORAGE section is for program logic, and FILE SECTION is for data definitions
The WORKING-STORAGE section in COBOL is used for variables that need to retain their values throughout the program execution, primarily for program logic. The FILE SECTION, on the other hand, is used for defining file-related data items and is not typically used for program logic.
How can the EXIT statement be used to terminate the execution of a COBOL program?
- By setting a specific condition code
- By specifying EXIT PROGRAM in the EXIT statement
- By using PERFORM UNTIL condition with EXIT
- By using STOP RUN statement
The EXIT statement alone does not terminate the execution of a COBOL program. To achieve program termination, you can use the STOP RUN statement, which explicitly instructs the COBOL run-time system to stop the program execution.
When the EXIT statement is executed, it can trigger the release of __________ resources.
- External
- File
- Memory
- System
When the EXIT statement is executed in COBOL, it can trigger the release of memory resources. This is particularly important for efficient resource management within a program.
What is the primary characteristic of a sequential file organization in COBOL?
- Records are stored in a consecutive order based on a key field
- Records are stored in a tree-like structure
- Records are stored randomly across the file
- Records can be directly accessed using an index
In a sequential file organization, records are stored in consecutive order based on a key field. This allows for easy retrieval of records in the order they were added to the file.
You are working on a COBOL program that calculates the age of a person based on their date of birth. Which COBOL function or technique would you use to perform this calculation?
- AGE function
- Arithmetic operations with date fields
- DATE-OF-BIRTH function
- Reference modification with date fields
In COBOL, you would typically perform age calculation using arithmetic operations with date fields. By subtracting the birthdate from the current date, you can obtain the age of the person.
In COBOL, what are the advantages of using a structured error-handling approach over traditional methods?
- Improved readability, ease of maintenance, and better program control
- Limited support for various types of exceptions
- Minimal impact on program structure
- Reduced program execution speed and increased complexity
A structured error-handling approach in COBOL offers advantages such as improved code readability, ease of maintenance, and better program control. It enhances the overall quality of the program and makes it easier to manage exceptions in a systematic manner.
You receive a runtime error related to file handling in your COBOL program. How would you approach debugging this issue, and what tools or techniques would you use?
- Check file permissions and access rights
- Ignore the error and proceed
- Increase CPU processing speed
- Reinstall COBOL compiler
Runtime errors related to file handling in COBOL programs often stem from issues such as incorrect file permissions, invalid file paths, or file access conflicts. To debug this issue, one would start by checking the file permissions and access rights to ensure the program has the necessary permissions to read from or write to the file. Additionally, examining the file handling code, ensuring proper file open/close operations, and using file monitoring tools or file system debuggers can help identify and resolve file-related runtime errors in COBOL programs.
In COBOL, a _____ is a condition that triggers a temporary stop in program execution for inspection during debugging.
- Breakpoint
- DEBUGGER
- HALT
- STOP RUN
A breakpoint in COBOL is a condition set by the programmer that causes a temporary stop in program execution during debugging. This allows the programmer to inspect variables and control the flow of the program for effective debugging.
In a COBOL program, you need to merge two input files containing sales data for different regions into a single output file, sorted by date. Which COBOL technique should you employ?
- ADD statement
- MERGE statement
- PERFORM...THRU statement
- SEARCH ALL statement
The MERGE statement in COBOL is used for merging two or more sorted input files into a single sorted output file. In this scenario, it would be the appropriate choice to merge sales data from different regions sorted by date.
What is the primary purpose of using the SORT operation in COBOL?
- To arrange data in a specified order based on one or more keys
- To create a new file by merging multiple sorted files
- To perform arithmetic calculations on numeric data
- To remove duplicate records from a file
The SORT operation in COBOL is used to arrange data in a specified order based on one or more keys. It helps in organizing data for efficient retrieval and reporting.