IBM MAINFRAME HELP FORUMS for COBOL, JCL, CICS, DB2, IMS etc...

jyothimenon1 · Joined: 16 Jul 2008 Posts: 10 Location: bangalore

A vsam file having 6 records reckey say 1 to 6

Open input infile
move 3 into reckey.
read infile next.
start inrec.
read inrec next.

here which record will be read?

1. no rec
2. rec3
3. unpredictale
4. rec1

sedireswarapu · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 15 Location: India

Hi ,

Is the question correct ?

From the question, it looks like the filename is 'infile', but 'inrec' is also used in the START/READ statements.

Only files can be read, and records are written/rewritten.

Also, only the filename is used in the START statement (used to reposition the file pointer at a record other than the next logical record).

Code:
START file-name
KEY IS comparison key
END-START.

comparison - the type of comparison to make between the records
key field and the contents of key

EQUAL TO
GREATER THAN
NOT LESS THAN
GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO

In the START statement, nothing is mentioned to reposition the file pointer..

sedireswarapu · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 15 Location: India

I guess no record will be read [choice 1].

Please correct me if am wrong...

Terry Heinze · Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 90 Location: Richfield, MN, USA

Also, you have 2 READ statements, one of which is incorrect as Sriram has pointed out. Which of the 2 READ statements are you asking about?

dick scherrer · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 7505 Location: 221 B Baker St

Hello Sriram,

Quote: I guess no record will be read [choice 1].
Please read the following - i believe there is no valid choice. . .

jyothimenon1,

I believe you need to start over. . . I believe the posted code will not compile (you should verify this).

If the code will not compile, it cannot be executed, so all of the answers are incorrect. . . All of the answers assume the code will run.

As i mentioned in another of your topics, i believe you have mis-quoted some interview questions. If the questions andf answers are not posted exactly as asked in the interview, any answer given by the forum may not be the answer that was expected.

Terry Heinze · Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 90 Location: Richfield, MN, USA

Original poster is jyothimenon1.

dick scherrer · Joined: 23 Nov 2006 Posts: 7505 Location: 221 B Baker St

Hi Terry,

Thanx for the correction - i've patched up the earlier reply :oops:

d

sedireswarapu · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 15 Location: India

Dick,

I guessed that no record will be read, assuming that there will be no successful execution of the code. But as you said the posted code has to be verified for the compilation (successful/unsuccessful).