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.
Your project involves designing a system where multiple classes need to adhere to a specific contract and implement certain methods. Which Object-Oriented COBOL feature would be most suitable for this scenario?
- Abstract Classes
- Interfaces
- Multiple Inheritance
- Overloading
In Object-Oriented COBOL, Interfaces are used to define a contract that multiple classes must adhere to by implementing specific methods. This promotes consistency and standardization across classes in a system.
You are reviewing a COBOL program and come across the "FILE SECTION" within the "DATA DIVISION." What type of information is typically defined in this section?
- Data description entries for files used by the program
- Declarations of working storage variables
- Definitions of subprograms
- Specifications for screen layouts
The "FILE SECTION" in the "DATA DIVISION" of a COBOL program is where data description entries for files used by the program are defined. It includes details such as file names, record structures, and access modes.
How does COBOL handle record locking when multiple programs access the same file in "I-O" mode?
- COBOL automatically handles record locking, preventing conflicts
- COBOL doesn't support record locking in "I-O" mode
- COBOL relies on the operating system for record locking
- COBOL uses exclusive lock, allowing only one program to access the file at a time
COBOL typically relies on the underlying operating system for record locking when multiple programs access the same file in "I-O" (Input-Output) mode. It doesn't inherently provide built-in record locking mechanisms.
What is the result of dividing an integer by zero in COBOL?
- Arithmetic Exception
- Compiler Error
- Infinity
- Zero
Dividing an integer by zero in COBOL results in an arithmetic exception. The program will encounter a runtime error due to division by zero, and appropriate error handling should be implemented to address such scenarios.
Explain the significance of the SHAREOPTION clause when dealing with VSAM indexed files in a multi-user environment.
- ALLOWREAD
- DENYNONE
- DENYREAD
- DENYWRITE
The SHAREOPTION clause in COBOL is crucial when dealing with VSAM indexed files in a multi-user environment. It specifies the level of file sharing allowed among users. DENYWRITE, for example, prevents other users from writing to the file simultaneously, ensuring data integrity.
How is a national (Unicode) character data type defined in COBOL?
- COBOL does not support Unicode
- PIC N
- PIC U(10)
- PIC X(10) UNICODE
In COBOL, a national (Unicode) character data type is defined using the PIC N clause. This allows the representation of Unicode characters in the program, ensuring compatibility with international character sets.
The _____ data type in COBOL is used for handling variable-length records in files.
- INDEX
- OCCURS
- REDEFINES
- VARYING
The VARYING clause in COBOL is used for handling variable-length records in files. It allows a field to have a variable length based on the actual data stored. This is particularly useful when dealing with records of varying sizes in file processing.