Cobol Programmer Interview Preparation

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Cobol Programmer Interview Prep

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Top 20 Cobol Programmer Interview Questions and Answers

Cobol is a programming language that has been widely used for business applications. If you're a Cobol programmer, you might be interested in applying for a new job in your field. To help you prepare for your next interview, here are the top 20 Cobol programmer interview questions and answers.

1. What is Cobol?

Cobol (COmmon Business-Oriented Language) is a programming language that is widely used in business applications. It was developed in the late 1950s and is still used by many companies today.

2. What are some of the features of Cobol?

Some of the features of Cobol include: it is mainly used for business applications; it is a procedural language; it is easy to read and understand; it has a natural language-like syntax; and it is scalable and platform-independent.

3. What are the different data types in Cobol?

The different data types in Cobol include: numeric; alphabetic; alphanumeric; and usage-specific.

4. What is a level indicator in Cobol?

A level indicator in Cobol is used to identify the level of nesting in a data item. It is a number that goes from 01 to 49.

5. What is a picture clause in Cobol?

A picture clause in Cobol is used to define the format of a data item. It is used to specify the data type, length, decimals, and other formatting options.

6. What is a Cobol program structure?

A Cobol program structure consists of: identification division, environment division, data division, procedure division, and the exit statement.

7. What is the purpose of the identification division in Cobol?

The identification division in Cobol is used to provide information about the program, such as its name, author, version number, and date of creation.

8. What is the purpose of the environment division in Cobol?

The environment division in Cobol is used to specify the hardware and software environments required to run the program.

9. What is the purpose of the data division in Cobol?

The data division in Cobol is used to define the data items used in the program, their data types, and the picture clauses.

10. What is the purpose of the procedure division in Cobol?

The procedure division in Cobol is used to define the logic of the program.

11. What is the exit statement in Cobol?

The exit statement in Cobol is used to terminate the program.

12. How do you declare a data item in Cobol?

To declare a data item in Cobol, you use the following syntax: NAME PIC X(10).

13. How do you define a value for a data item in Cobol?

To define a value for a data item in Cobol, you use the MOVE statement: MOVE "ABC" TO NAME.

14. What is a paragraph in Cobol?

A paragraph in Cobol is a collection of statements that perform a specific task in the program.

15. What is a section in Cobol?

A section in Cobol is a collection of paragraphs that perform a related set of tasks in the program.

16. What is the difference between a subscript and an index?

A subscript in Cobol is used to refer to an element in an array, while an index is used to refer to a record in a file.

17. What is the difference between a binary and packed-decimal data type?

A binary data type in Cobol uses two bytes of storage and supports 16 different values, while a packed-decimal data type uses one byte of storage and supports 10 different values.

18. How do you debug a Cobol program?

To debug a Cobol program, you can use a debugger or print statements to display the values of variables at different points in the program.

19. What are some of the Cobol programming best practices?

Some of the Cobol programming best practices include: using self-documenting variable names; using meaningful paragraph and section names; and staying consistent with formatting and syntax.

20. What are some of the challenges of programming in Cobol?

Some of the challenges of programming in Cobol include: dealing with legacy code; finding Cobol programmers with the necessary skills; and integrating Cobol with modern technologies.

These are just some of the top Cobol programmer interview questions and answers. By preparing for these questions, you can increase your chances of landing your dream job as a Cobol programmer.


How to Prepare for Cobol Programmer Interview

Cobol (Common Business Oriented Language) is a programming language that is widely used in the business world. If you are interested in pursuing a career as a Cobol programmer, you need to prepare well for your job interview. Here are some tips on how to prepare for your Cobol programmer interview:

1. Review Cobol Language Basics

Before your interview, take time to go over the basic components and syntax of the Cobol language. This will help you answer any questions the interviewer might have on the language itself. You should know how to write simple Cobol programs, read and write files, use Cobol statements such as IF-ELSE and PERFORM, and be able to explain how Cobol integrates with other programming languages such as C and Java.

2. Brush up on Data Structures

All businesses rely on data, so it is critical that Cobol programmers understand data structures. You should refresh your knowledge of Cobol data structures, such as arrays, tables, and records. You should be familiar with Cobol report writing, including generating reports or text files.

3. Familiarise yourself with Database Interfaces

Make sure you understand how Cobol connects with databases. You should be up to speed on the use of Cobol database interfaces such as Open Database Connectivity (ODBC), Java Database Connectivity (JDBC), and Structured Query Language (SQL).

4. Review Debugging Techniques

The ability to write code is important, but debugging is just as crucial for Cobol programmers. Make sure you know how to troubleshoot Cobol code and are familiar with Cobol debugging tools.

5. Practice your Interview Skills

You can practice your interview skills by participating in mock interviews. Contact a friend, family member or professional, and ask them to conduct a mock interview with you. Practice communicating effectively and confidently to highlight your knowledge, skills and experience.

6. Prepare a Portfolio

Create a portfolio that includes examples of your best work. This should showcase your skills and experience, and demonstrate how you are a good fit for the job.

7. Research the Company

Research the company you are applying to, and know their mission statement, values and strategy. This will help you tailor your answers to the company's needs and values, and will show your dedication and interest to your interviewer.

By following these tips, you will be better prepared for your Cobol programmer interview, and more likely to excel in the hiring process.

Common Interview Mistake

Failing to Follow Up

Not following up after the interview can signal a lack of interest or politeness. Send a personalized thank you note or email within 24 hours of the interview.