Updated April 5, 2023
Introduction to Mainframe testing interview questions
All transactions, business, and communications are now in real-time. So agencies need a powerful computer on the server, which processes instructions and provides the output in seconds, to accomplish all these tasks. We can divide computers into four categories based on their uses, i.e. supercomputer, microcomputer, minicomputer, and a mainframe computer. A mainframe computer is a second-fastest computer to perform complex and long calculations after a supercomputer. More than the microcomputer and mini, it is dominant. Let’s look at the Interview questions of Mainframe testing, which will help us crack the interview.
Below are the 12 important 2023 Mainframe testing interview questions and answers that are frequently asked in an interview. These questions are divided into two parts are as follows:
Part 1 – Mainframe testing interview questions (Basic)
This first part covers basic Interview Questions and Answers.
Q1. What is DRDA?
Answer:
Basically, DRDA has Distributed Relational Database Architecture is a set of rules and protocols allowing the user to access distributed data, irrespective of where they are stored physically.
Q2. What is IMS?
Answer:
The word IMS we call Information Management System. It’s a Mainframe database and transaction system. In 1968, IBM launched it. Since then, several upgrades have been made and new programming tools and environments have been adapted. IMS is one of IBM’s mainframe operating systems two major legacy databases and transaction management subsystems, and CICS is a subsystem.
Q3. What is COBOL Coding Sheets?
Answer:
In the era of batch processing, COBOL was introduced. The program COBOL had to be punched on the card and loaded into the punch card reader. In this process, the coding area where the word COBOL is punctured exists as a predefined structure. This structure is referred to as the coding sheet COBOL. In other words, a COBOL program source code must be written in a compiler-supported format. Hence, these programs are written in sheets of coding.
Q4. Explain delete-connected tables?
Answer:
Explain delete-connected tables, which are linked by a foreign key, are called delete-connected tables. This is because when any key entry is deleted, the values in the foreign key table will also be affected.
5. Explain Host Variables?
Answer:
Data substances defined in the COBOL program are host variables. They are used to transfer values to a database and receive them. It is available in the File Section, Work-Storage Section, and the Local Storage Section or the COBOL link section. The number can be up to 48 at any level. VARCHAR data items are reserved for Level 49.
Part 2 – Mainframe testing interview questions (Advanced)
Let us now have a look at the advanced Interview Questions and Answers.
6. Explain some attributes of Mainframe testing?
Answer:
a. Batch processing
It is a method through which every task in units known as work is carried out. A job can lead to sequence executions of one or more programs.
b. Multiprogramming
More than one application is performed simultaneously. However, only one program can control the CPU at any given time. This is an easy-to-use facility for the CPU.
c. Virtual storage
It is a technology that allows a processor to simulate the main storage larger than the actual storage. It is a technique used to store and perform various tasks effectively with memory.
d. Timesharing
Every user has access to the system via the terminal device in a time-sharing system. The user enters commands which are processed immediately rather than submit jobs that are scheduled for later execution.
7. What index cardinality?
Answer:
The number of discrete entries in a column is the index cardinality. In DB2, a RUNSTATS utility examines redundancy of the column values to determine whether index scans or table space for data searches are necessary.
8. Say some word about clusters?
Answer:
The sequence set, index, and data portions in the dataset are a combination. The cluster is provided with program access by the operating system, which allows access to all parts of the data set simultaneously.
9. Explain some differences between HIDAM and HDAM databases?
Answer:
HIDAM is equipped with a separate root index file. This file contains information about the pointer to the position of the data. On the other hand, the HDAM file has no separate index files, but a randomizer placing the record at any particular position on the database passes the key field of each record.
10. What is referential integrity?
Answer:
It is the rule that consistency between foreign and primary keys should be maintained. This requires a fitting primary key entry for every foreign key entry.
11. what is spufi and isolation level?
Answer:
SPUFI is the SQL Processing File Input abbreviated form. The developer uses a menu-driven tool to build objects in a database. The level of isolation is the degree to which the focusing group is insulated from the simultaneous executing activation groups.
12. What is JCL in the mainframe?
Answer:
The Job Control Language stands for JCL. JCL is a scripting language that the system for batch work can be instructed on the IBM mainframe operating system. Your code to tell the OS about the job you want to do. It is a set of declarations. This set of statements is sometimes quite large, but most jobs can be executed using a very small subset.
Conclusion
In this article, we have seen interview questions for mainframe testing. I hope this will help to crack the interview and you get your dream job in testing.
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