In COBOL program there are three key phrases. Those are STOP RUN, GOBACK and EXIT PROGRAM. The phrase EXIT PROGRAM can use in subroutine.
What happens if it has given:
This statement “EXIT PROGRAM” gives control back to calling module. So, calling module continue processing still STOP RUN or GOBACK.
What happens if it has not given:
If EXIT PROGRAM not be given, the calling module does not get control back. So, an unpredictable abend/exception occurs in calling module.
This is an interview question often asked in COBOL interviews.