600+ COBOL Interview Questions Practice Test

Description

COBOL Interview Questions and Answers Preparation Practice Test | Freshers to Experienced

Are you preparing for a COBOL job interview and want to ensure you're fully prepared to tackle any question that comes your way? Look no further! Our comprehensive COBOL Interview Questions Practice Test is designed to help you master essential COBOL concepts and excel in your next interview.

What Will You Learn?

This course covers six key sections, each meticulously crafted to encompass the core areas of COBOL programming. Through a series of practice test questions, you'll delve deep into various aspects of COBOL, ensuring you have a solid understanding of each topic. Here's what you can expect to learn:

Section 1: COBOL Basics

• Explore fundamental COBOL data types and the intricacies of the COBOL Data Division.

• Dive into the COBOL Procedure Division and understand its significance in program execution.

• Master the structure of COBOL programs and gain insights into essential constants and variables.

• Learn essential data manipulation techniques in COBOL, including MOVE, ADD, and SUBTRACT operations.

Section 2: COBOL File Handling

• Understand different file organizations in COBOL, including Sequential, Indexed, and Relative.

• Explore various file access modes such as Input, Output, and I-O, and their applications.

• Familiarize yourself with critical file control verbs like OPEN, CLOSE, READ, and WRITE.

• Learn advanced file handling techniques such as sorting and merging data in COBOL programs.

Section 3: COBOL Data Structures

• Gain proficiency in working with COBOL arrays, tables, and records.

• Understand the Redefines Clause and its role in data manipulation.

• Explore the concept of group data items and their practical applications in COBOL programming.

• Learn to work with variable-length records efficiently.

Section 4: COBOL Programming Constructs

• Master conditional statements like IF, ELSE, and EVALUATE for effective decision-making.

• Gain expertise in implementing loops using PERFORM, UNTIL, and VARYING constructs.

• Understand the nuances of procedure calls and subprograms in COBOL.

• Explore COBOL arithmetic operations and their applications in real-world scenarios.

Section 5: COBOL File Handling Advanced Topics

• Delve into advanced file processing techniques, including Sequential, Relative, and Indexed file processing.

• Learn strategies for handling duplicate records and ensuring data integrity.

• Understand file locking mechanisms and considerations for multi-user environments.

• Discover techniques for optimizing file handling performance and minimizing processing time.

Section 6: COBOL Advanced Topics

• Explore COBOL intrinsic functions and their applications in programming tasks.

• Master handling dates and times effectively within COBOL programs.

• Learn best practices for exception handling and error reporting in COBOL.

• Understand debugging techniques and tools to troubleshoot COBOL programs efficiently.

• Gain insights into COBOL's integration with databases and object-oriented programming concepts.

Sample Practice Test Questions

Question 1: What is the purpose of the COBOL Data Division?

A) It defines the data structure and layout of the program.

B) It specifies the sequence of operations to be executed.

C) It handles file input and output operations.

D) It performs arithmetic calculations in the program.

Explanation: Option A is correct. The COBOL Data Division defines the data structure and layout of the program by specifying the variables, records, and data types used in the program. This division is crucial for declaring and organizing data elements that the program will manipulate during its execution. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they describe the functionalities of other divisions in COBOL. Option B refers to the Procedure Division, which contains the actual logic and sequence of operations to be executed. Option C pertains to the File Handling operations, which are handled in the Environment Division and the Procedure Division. Option D relates to the Arithmetic Operations, which are performed within the Procedure Division.

Question 2: Which COBOL verb is used to open a file for reading or writing?

A) OPEN

B) READ

C) WRITE

D) CLOSE

Explanation: Option A is correct. The OPEN verb is used in COBOL to open a file for reading, writing, or both. It is responsible for establishing the connection between the program and the external file. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they represent different file operations. The READ verb is used to read records from an open file, the WRITE verb is used to write records to an open file, and the CLOSE verb is used to close an open file once processing is complete.

Question 3: What is the purpose of the PERFORM...VARYING statement in COBOL?

A) It performs a specified set of statements until a condition becomes true.

B) It repeats a specified set of statements a fixed number of times.

C) It performs a specified set of statements based on a condition.

D) It iterates over a specified range of values, executing statements each time.

Explanation: Option D is correct. The PERFORM...VARYING statement in COBOL is used to iterate over a specified range of values, executing a set of statements for each iteration. It is commonly used for tasks such as iterating over an array or processing a sequential range of values. Options A, B, and C are incorrect because they describe different functionalities of the PERFORM statement. Option A describes the PERFORM UNTIL statement, which executes a set of statements until a condition becomes true. Option B describes the PERFORM n TIMES statement, which repeats a set of statements a fixed number of times. Option C describes the PERFORM UNTIL statement, which executes a set of statements based on a condition.

Question 4: Which COBOL clause is used to redefine the storage allocated to a data item?

A) REDEFINE

B) RENAME

C) OCCURS

D) REPEAT

Explanation: Option A is correct. The REDEFINE clause in COBOL is used to redefine the storage allocated to a data item. It allows a single area of storage to be referenced by different data names, enabling multiple interpretations of the same memory area. This is commonly used for data conversion or to represent a data item in different formats. Options B, C, and D are incorrect because they represent different COBOL clauses. The RENAME clause is used to assign an alternate name to a data item. The OCCURS clause is used to define arrays and specify the number of occurrences of a group of data items. The REPEAT clause does not exist in COBOL.

Question 5: What does the EVALUATE statement do in COBOL?

A) It evaluates arithmetic expressions and assigns the result to a variable.

B) It compares two values and executes different statements based on the result.

C) It calculates the size of a data structure and allocates memory accordingly.

D) It performs logical operations on binary data.

Explanation: Option B is correct. The EVALUATE statement in COBOL is used to compare a given value with one or more conditions and execute different sets of statements based on the condition that matches. It is an alternative to using nested IF-ELSE statements for multiple conditional branches, providing a more concise and structured approach to decision-making in COBOL programs. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they describe functionalities not associated with the EVALUATE statement. Option A describes the functionality of arithmetic operations and assignment statements. Option C relates to memory allocation and data structure definition, typically handled in the Data Division. Option D pertains to logical operations, which are performed using different COBOL statements or clauses.

Don't Miss Out on This Opportunity!

Enroll now in our COBOL Interview Questions Practice Test and take the first step towards acing your next COBOL job interview. With our comprehensive course materials and expertly crafted practice questions, you'll be well-equipped to demonstrate your proficiency in COBOL programming and land your desired role in the industry. Start your journey to success today!

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