Top 10 Cobol Interview Questions and Answers 2025

Data can pass from JCL to COBOL program in multiple ways, such as through input files, system symbols, and program parameters.

• Input files: Data can be passed to a COBOL program through input files specified in the JCL.

• System symbols: JCL can define system symbols that can be accessed by the COBOL program to retrieve data.

• Program parameters: JCL can pass parameters to the COBOL program, which can be used to receive data.

• Environment variables: JCL can set environment variables ...read more

COBOL format is a programming language used for business applications, known for its readability and use of English-like syntax.

• COBOL uses a fixed-format layout with specific columns for different elements of the program.

• Columns 1-6 are for sequence numbers, 7-72 for code, and 73-80 for comments.

• Statements are written in a structured manner using verbs, nouns, and clauses.

• COBOL programs are divided into divisions, sections, paragraphs, and sentences.

• Example: DISPLAY 'Hello, W...read more

COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) is a high-level programming language used primarily for business, finance, and administrative systems on mainframe computers.

• COBOL is one of the oldest programming languages, designed in the late 1950s.

• It is known for its readability and self-documenting code.

• COBOL is still widely used in legacy systems, especially in the financial and government sectors.

• Example: COBOL programs are often used for processing large volumes of data in ba...read more

Data from Cobol can be passed to JCL using file handling techniques like writing data to a dataset or passing parameters through PROCs.

• Use file handling techniques to write data from Cobol program to a dataset that can be accessed by JCL.

• Pass parameters from Cobol program to JCL using PROCs.

• Use symbolic parameters in JCL to reference data from Cobol programs.

Data can be passed to COBOL through JCL using SYSIN DD statement, PARM parameter, and environment variables.

• Use SYSIN DD statement to pass data to COBOL program

• Pass data using PARM parameter in JCL

• Set environment variables in JCL to pass data

COBOL is a high-level programming language used for business applications on mainframe computers.

• COBOL stands for Common Business-Oriented Language.

• It was designed in 1959 by CODASYL and is primarily used in finance, insurance, and government sectors.

• COBOL programs are divided into four divisions: Identification, Environment, Data, and Procedure.

• It uses English-like syntax and is known for its readability and self-documenting nature.

• Example: DISPLAY 'Hello, World!'

In COBOL, parm parameters can be accepted using the ACCEPT statement. The declaration structure includes the PICTURE clause.

• Use ACCEPT statement to accept parm parameter in COBOL

• Declare parm parameter using PICTURE clause in COBOL

• Example: ACCEPT parm-parameter

• Example: 01 parm-parameter PIC X(10)

Types of call in COBOL include internal, external, and intrinsic calls.

• Internal calls are made within the same program or module.

• External calls are made to other programs or modules.

• Intrinsic calls are built-in functions provided by the COBOL compiler.

• Examples: CALL statement for external calls, INVOKE statement for intrinsic calls.