Explain, as review, the use of periods and the structure of a COBOL program.

1. Explain, as review, the use of periods and the structure of a COBOL program.
2. Use the PERFORM UNTIL action to implement multiple iterations of an action.
3. Compare the PERFORM WITH TEST BEFORE and TEST AFTER and other language equivalents.
4. Describe an accumulator operation including when to use one and how to initialize it.
5. Describe a counter operation including when to use one and how to initialize it.
6. Explain the problems that could come up if counters or accumulators are in the wrong place in code or are uninitialized.
7. Use the PIC clause to allow entry of negative numbers
8. Format output to suppress leading zeros in numeric output
9. Output values with the $ and thousands separator
10. Open sequential files for input and define the record layout
11. Iterate through records using the PERFORM UNTIL statement
12. Examine the file state and handle end-of-file (EOF) conditions

 

Preparation and Resources:

 

• Be sure you thoroughly understand Lab 1 and are able to write code on your own with little or no other resources besides a starting template.
• LinkedIn Learning and verbs (section 3): https://www.linkedin.com/learning/cobol-essential-training/introduction-to-verbs
• LinkedIn Learning and files (section 4): https://www.linkedin.com/learning/cobol-essential-training/file-organization-and-access-methods
• Another video on reading sequential files: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EmmoUK4JIE
• Video of problematic PIC clauses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhwOFuQl_pg