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Cognizant Mainframe Programmer Interview Questions and Answers

Updated 5 Jan 2022

Cognizant Mainframe Programmer Interview Experiences

1 interview found

Mainframe Programmer interview

user image Mainframe Guru

posted on 16 Nov 2021

Interview questions from similar companies

Interview experience
5
Excellent
Difficulty level
Easy
Process Duration
Less than 2 weeks
Result
Selected Selected

I applied via AmbitionBox and was interviewed in Nov 2022. There were 3 interview rounds.

Round 1 - Resume Shortlist 
Pro Tip by AmbitionBox:
Keep your resume crisp and to the point. A recruiter looks at your resume for an average of 6 seconds, make sure to leave the best impression.
View all tips
Round 2 - Technical 

(4 Questions)

  • Q1. What is mainframes and what is jcl
  • Ans. 

    Mainframes are large computers used for critical applications. JCL is a scripting language used to control mainframe operations.

    • Mainframes are known for their reliability, security, and scalability.

    • They are used in industries such as banking, healthcare, and government.

    • JCL stands for Job Control Language and is used to define and execute mainframe jobs.

    • JCL statements include job control statements, data definition stat...

  • Answered by AI
  • Q2. What is cobol and what is comp
  • Ans. 

    COBOL is a programming language used for business applications. COMP is a COBOL data type for storing numbers.

    • COBOL stands for Common Business Oriented Language

    • It was developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s

    • COBOL is used for developing business applications such as banking, insurance, and finance

    • COMP is a COBOL data type used for storing numbers in binary format

    • COMP can be further classified into COMP-3, which is us

  • Answered by AI
  • Q3. What's main topic in mainframes
  • Ans. 

    Main topic in mainframes is processing large amounts of data with high reliability and security.

    • Data processing and storage

    • Batch processing

    • Transaction processing

    • Security and reliability

    • COBOL programming language

    • JCL (Job Control Language)

    • VSAM (Virtual Storage Access Method)

    • CICS (Customer Information Control System)

    • DB2 (Database Management System)

    • IMS (Information Management System)

  • Answered by AI
  • Q4. How to start program
  • Ans. 

    To start a program, you need to compile the source code and then execute the compiled code.

    • Write the program code in a text editor or an IDE

    • Save the code with the appropriate file extension

    • Compile the code using a compiler or an interpreter

    • Execute the compiled code

    • Debug the program if necessary

  • Answered by AI
Round 3 - Technical 

(5 Questions)

  • Q1. What is vsam and non vasam
  • Ans. 

    VSAM stands for Virtual Storage Access Method and is a file management system used in mainframe computers.

    • VSAM is used to organize and access data stored on disk in a mainframe environment.

    • It supports both sequential and random access to data.

    • Non-VSAM refers to file systems that do not use VSAM, such as flat files or relational databases.

    • VSAM provides features like record-level locking, high performance, and efficient ...

  • Answered by AI
  • Q2. What is db2 and cobol
  • Ans. 

    DB2 is a relational database management system and COBOL is a programming language used for business applications.

    • DB2 is used to store and manage data in a structured manner

    • COBOL is used to write programs for business applications

    • DB2 and COBOL are often used together in mainframe environments

    • COBOL programs can access and manipulate data stored in DB2 databases

  • Answered by AI
  • Q3. Db2 full form in mainframes
  • Ans. 

    Db2 stands for Database 2, a relational database management system used in mainframes.

    • Db2 is used for storing and retrieving data in mainframes.

    • It supports SQL (Structured Query Language) for querying and manipulating data.

    • Db2 is known for its scalability, reliability, and security features.

    • It is widely used in industries such as banking, finance, and healthcare.

    • Db2 has various editions such as Db2 for z/OS, Db2 for Li

  • Answered by AI
  • Q4. Ibm full from in cobol
  • Ans. 

    IBM Full Form in COBOL

    • IBM stands for International Business Machines

    • COBOL stands for Common Business Oriented Language

    • IBM is a company that produces hardware and software, including mainframes

    • COBOL is a programming language commonly used for business applications

    • IBM mainframes are often used for running COBOL programs

  • Answered by AI
  • Q5. What tyep of programme

Interview Preparation Tips

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Mainframes in cobol jcl vsam db2 and cics it is main topic

Skills evaluated in this interview

Interview experience
5
Excellent
Difficulty level
Moderate
Process Duration
Less than 2 weeks
Result
No response

I was interviewed in Jan 2025.

Round 1 - Technical 

(4 Questions)

  • Q1. What is the difference between static and dynamic calls?
  • Q2. How to get control over job execution?
  • Q3. What is a cursor in the context of databases, and what purposes does it serve?
  • Q4. How can null variables be handled in COBOL DB2 programs?
Round 2 - Technical 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. What is the waterfall model in software development?
  • Q2. What is the Agile framework?
Round 3 - HR 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. Discussion on CTC, work location and project.
Interview experience
1
Bad
Difficulty level
-
Process Duration
-
Result
-
Round 1 - Technical 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. Technical, related to role
  • Q2. Skill, expectation
Round 2 - HR 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. Salary, offer letter, process
  • Q2. Office

Interview Preparation Tips

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - avoid Tcs and try to go for developing company
Interview experience
3
Average
Difficulty level
Moderate
Process Duration
Less than 2 weeks
Result
No response

I applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed in Jul 2024. There was 1 interview round.

Round 1 - Technical 

(4 Questions)

  • Q1. Job statement in JCL
  • Ans. 

    Job Control Language (JCL) is used to define and execute jobs on mainframe systems.

    • JCL statements are used to specify the job to be executed, including input/output files, program to be run, and other job control parameters.

    • Example: //JOBNAME JOB (ACCOUNT), 'DESCRIPTION',CLASS=A,MSGCLASS=X

    • JCL statements are written in a specific format with keywords and parameters to define the job steps and execution flow.

    • Example: //S

  • Answered by AI
  • Q2. Utility used to create a GDG.
  • Ans. 

    IDCAMS is the utility used to create a GDG.

    • IDCAMS is a utility program used in z/OS to define and manage VSAM datasets, including GDGs (Generation Data Groups).

    • To create a GDG using IDCAMS, you would typically write a JCL job that includes IDCAMS statements to define the GDG base and generations.

    • Example: //STEP1 EXEC PGM=IDCAMS //SYSIN DD * DEFINE GDG(NAME(TEST.GDG) LIMIT(10) SCRATCH)

  • Answered by AI
  • Q3. Difference b/w COMP & COMP 3 along with scenario-based questions on this topic
  • Q4. CICS related question regarding CICS transactions and its life cycle.

Interview Preparation Tips

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Please prepare and attend interviews.

Skills evaluated in this interview

Interview experience
4
Good
Difficulty level
Moderate
Process Duration
Less than 2 weeks
Result
Selected Selected

I applied via Company Website and was interviewed in Jun 2024. There was 1 interview round.

Round 1 - Technical 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. Explain Precompilation process
  • Q2. How do you do Load and Unload Process
Interview experience
5
Excellent
Difficulty level
-
Process Duration
-
Result
-
Round 1 - Technical 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. Jobs / jcls/proc
  • Q2. Jobs/jcls/proc/cobol/db2/cics/mainframe technical questions
Interview experience
3
Average
Difficulty level
Moderate
Process Duration
-
Result
No response

I was interviewed in Apr 2024.

Round 1 - Technical 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. 1. Asked about my current project and asked to explain the Cobol program written for that 2. Difference between Call by reference and Call by Content 3. Difference between Primary Key, Unique key and forei...
Interview experience
4
Good
Difficulty level
-
Process Duration
-
Result
-
Round 1 - Technical 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. What's the use of repro
  • Ans. 

    REPRO is a utility program used in mainframe systems to copy or replicate datasets.

    • Used to copy datasets from one location to another

    • Can be used to replicate datasets for backup purposes

    • Helps in transferring datasets between different systems or environments

  • Answered by AI
Interview experience
4
Good
Difficulty level
Hard
Process Duration
2-4 weeks
Result
Selected Selected

I applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed before Oct 2022. There were 3 interview rounds.

Round 1 - Technical 

(2 Questions)

  • Q1. Technical interview
  • Q2. Technical core questions
Round 2 - Technical 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. Technical interview
Round 3 - HR 

(1 Question)

  • Q1. Regarding salary discussion

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Cognizant Mainframe Programmer Salary
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₹1.8 L/yr - ₹8.2 L/yr
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