Answer: Option B
A. It is a very standardized language:COBOL stands for "COmmon Business-Oriented Language." It is a programming language that was designed for business applications. COBOL is a very standardized language, which means that it has a well-defined syntax and structure that programmers must follow. This standardization makes it easier to write, read, and maintain COBOL programs, as there are clear guidelines to follow.
B. It is very efficient in terms of coding and execution:This option is incorrect, as COBOL is not known for being very efficient in terms of coding and execution. In fact, compared to more modern programming languages, COBOL can be relatively slow and resource-intensive. However, COBOL's focus on readability and maintainability makes it an ideal language for business applications that require long-term support and maintenance.
C. It has limited facilities for mathematical notation:COBOL is primarily designed for business applications, and as such, it has limited facilities for mathematical notation. While it is possible to perform mathematical operations in COBOL, the language is not optimized for complex mathematical calculations.
D. It is a very readable language:One of COBOL's key strengths is its readability. COBOL code is designed to be easily read and understood by humans, even those without programming experience. This makes COBOL an ideal language for business applications that require long-term maintenance and support, as it is easy for new programmers to understand existing code.
E. None of the above:This option is incorrect, as we have already established that option B is not characteristic of COBOL. The correct answer is B.
In conclusion, COBOL is a standardized and readable programming language designed for business applications, but it is not known for its efficiency in terms of coding and execution.