You are designing a COBOL program for inventory management, and you need to keep track of each item's stock levels. Explain how you would employ the OCCURS clause with the DEPENDING ON phrase in this scenario.
- Depending On
- Grouping
- Indexing
- Non-indexed
In inventory management, using the OCCURS clause with the DEPENDING ON phrase is suitable. It allows dynamic allocation of storage based on the value of a data item, enabling flexibility in handling varying stock levels for different items.
What are duplicate records in the context of COBOL file handling?
- Records containing errors
- Records marked for deletion
- Records with identical key values in a file
- Records with the same data but different key values
Duplicate records in COBOL file handling refer to those with identical key values. These records are distinguished based on a specified key field, and the duplicates must be managed to avoid data inconsistencies.
To avoid file locking-related performance bottlenecks, it's important to consider the appropriate use of _______ locks for different file access patterns.
- Database-level
- File-level
- Record-level
- System-level
To optimize performance and avoid bottlenecks, it's crucial to consider the appropriate use of Record-level locks for different file access patterns. Record-level locks restrict access to individual records, allowing multiple users to work with other records concurrently, minimizing contention and improving overall system efficiency.
You are developing a COBOL application that needs to search for specific customer records by their account numbers efficiently. Which file organization should you choose for this purpose?
- Indexed
- Line-Sequential
- Relative
- Sequential
For efficient searching based on a key, an Indexed file organization is recommended. It allows direct access to records based on a key, in this case, the account number.
The "WORKING-STORAGE SECTION" is used to declare _____ that are accessible throughout the program.
- Data files
- Paragraphs and sections
- Procedure names
- Variables and constants
The "WORKING-STORAGE SECTION" in COBOL is used for declaring variables and constants that are accessible throughout the program. These variables retain their values between procedure calls and are typically used for temporary storage.
In COBOL, what is a record?
- A collection of related data items treated as a unit
- A program execution step
- A reserved word
- A single data item
In COBOL, a record is a collection of related data items treated as a unit. It is used to represent a complete set of information about a particular entity, such as a customer or an employee.
When using a PERFORM loop with the VARYING clause, the _______ clause determines how the loop control variable changes in each iteration.
- BY
- FROM
- THRU
- VARYING
In a PERFORM loop with the VARYING clause, the BY clause determines the increment or decrement applied to the loop control variable in each iteration. It specifies the step size for the loop.
In COBOL, what are the common strategies for recovering from a file error or exception?
- Closing the program upon encountering a file error
- Ignoring file errors for uninterrupted execution
- Implementing error-handling routines using the FILE-CONTROL paragraph
- Using the "CONTINUE" statement to skip the error
Common strategies for recovering from file errors in COBOL involve implementing error-handling routines in the FILE-CONTROL paragraph. This allows developers to define specific actions, such as displaying an error message or taking corrective measures, in case of file-related exceptions.
How is the "ELSE" statement used in conjunction with "IF" in COBOL?
- Declares an alternative condition for "IF" statement
- Ends the "IF" block and starts a new one
- Indicates the beginning of an "IF" block
- Specifies the action to be taken when the "IF" condition is false
The "ELSE" statement in COBOL is used to specify the action to be taken when the preceding "IF" condition is false. It provides an alternative branch of code execution.
How is a group data item different from an elementary data item in COBOL?
- A group data item is a collection of elementary data items, while an elementary data item represents a single value
- A group data item is a single value, while an elementary data item is a collection of values
- A group data item is used for alphanumeric data, while an elementary data item is for numeric data
- A group data item is used for calculations, while an elementary data item is for display purposes
In COBOL, a group data item is a collection of elementary data items grouped together, providing a structured way to organize related data. An elementary data item, on the other hand, represents a single value or field in the data structure.