Mainframe Interview Questions

To insert a NULL, move -1 to the null indicator

To insert a valid value, move 0 to the null indicator

Supply the DD cards just as you would for files referred to in the main program.

- Use a COBOL II CALL statement to invoke a subprogram. This method is transparent to CICS, which sees only the one load module. 

- EXEC LINK is similar to a call; it invokes a separate CICS program and ends with a RETURN to the invoking program

- EXEC XCTL which transfers control to another CICS program and does not get control 

back. 

COBOL II allows for static calls which are more efficient than the LINK instruction which establishes a new run-unit. 

There are some differences:

COBOL II supports structured programming by using in line Performs and explicit scope terminators. It introduces new features (EVALUATE, SET. TO TRUE, CALL BY CONTEXT, etc). It permits programs to be loaded and addressed above the 16-megabyte line .  It does not support many old features (READY TRACE, REPORT-WRITER, ISAM, etc.). It offers enhanced CICS support.

1. Based on the lock-size given while creating the table space

2. Programer can direct the DB2 what lock-size to use

3. If lock - size ANY is specified, DB2 usually chooses a lock-size of PAGE

IDENTIFICATION DIVISION and PROGRAM-ID paragraph are mandatory for a compilation error free COBOL program.

An application plan or package is generated by the bind to define an access path. 

Syntax:

SORT   file-1 ON ASCENDING/DESCENDING KEY key....

USING  file-2

GIVING file-3.

USING can be substituted by INPUT PROCEDURE IS para-1 THRU para-2

GIVING can be substituted by OUTPUT PROCEDURE IS para-1 THRU para-2.

file-1 is the sort workfile and must be described using SD entry in FILE SECTION.

file-2 is the input file for the SORT and must be described using an FD entry in FILE SECTION and SELECT clause in FILE CONTROL.

file-3 is the outfile from the SORT and must be described using an FD entry in FILE SECTION and SELECT clause in FILE CONTROL.

file-1, file-2 & file-3 should not be opened explicitly.

INPUT PROCEDURE is executed before the sort and records must be RELEASEd to the sort work file from the input procedure.

OUTPUT PROCEDURE is executed after all records have been sorted. Records from the sort work file must be RETURNed one at a time to the output procedure.