2.1 Introduction to Python 24/25

Question 1

What is a syntax error?

Answer 1

When the rules of grammar of the programming language have been broken.

Question 2

What is a logic error?

Answer 2

When a program is able to run but does something unexpected.

Question 3

Which part of the IDE identifies errors?

Answer 3

The Error Diagnostic will locate and identify the syntax error in the code.

Question 4

Which type of errors does the Error Diagnostic identify?

Answer 4

The Error Diagnostic locates syntax errors, e.g. errors in the structure of the code.

Question 5

Describe how an insertion sort is carried out.

Answer 5

An insertion sort is where the numbers are inserted into the correct position. It is the quickest kind of sorting.

Question 6

Describe how a merge sort is carried out.

Answer 6

A merge sort is where we divide and conquer - octo (8) - quads (4) - pairs (2) then sort pairs (2) - quads (4) - octo (8).

Question 7

Describe how bubble sort is carried out.

Answer 7

After the first pass, the largest item is in the correct place. After the second pass, the largest two items are in the correct place etc. etc. until after the final pass, only two items need to be sorted.

Question 8

Describe how a linear search is carried out.

Answer 8

A linear search is where each item in the list is checked until the correct item is found. This can be a slow process if the list is long.

Question 9

Describe how a binary search is carried out.

Answer 9

A binary search is where the list is divided in 2 - is the item you are looking for in the top half or bottom half - get rid of the half of the list it is not in, and repeat the process until you find the item you are looking for.

Question 10

What is a variable?

Answer 10

A location in memory that stores one item. A variable can change as the program runs.

Question 11

What is a constant?

Answer 11

A location in memory that stores one item. A constant cannot change as the program runs.

Question 12

What is an input statement?

Answer 12

An input statement allows the user to interact with the program.

Question 13

How would an input statement appear in an exam question?

Answer 13

The program asks the user to… - variableName = input(“Statement”)

Question 14

What is an output statement?

Answer 14

An output statement will display the processed information.

Question 15

How would an output statement appear in an exam question?

Answer 15

The program outputs the … - print (“output”) or print(variableName)

Question 16

What are the main data types?

Answer 16

String, integer, float, real, character, Boolean.

Question 17

What is a string?

Answer 17

A data type that includes letters, numbers, special characters etc, e.g “words” (look for the speech marks).

Question 18

What is the difference between an integer and a real/float data type?

Answer 18

An integer is a whole number whereas a float/real is a decimal number.

Question 19

What is the difference between MOD and DIV?

Answer 19

DIV // Integer division finds the quotient (e.g. how many times the divisive goes into the value) and MOD % finds the remainder.

Question 20

What is exponentiation?

Answer 20

^ or ** means to the power of.

Question 21

What is the purpose of the random number generator?

Answer 21

A random number generator brings the random element into programs, for example if a user plays a game against a computer.

Question 22

How would this appear in an exam question?

Answer 22

The program outputs a random number… - randomNum = random.randint(1,10)

Question 23

What are the boolean operators?

Answer 23

True and False.

Question 24

What are the boolean logic gates?

Answer 24

AND (both), OR (either), NOT (opposite).

Question 25

What is the purpose of len(string)?

Answer 25

Returns the length of a string.

Question 26

What is the purpose of concatenating a string?

Answer 26

Returns the variables joined together.

Question 27

What is the purpose of slicing a string?

Answer 27

Returns a range of characters. Specify the start index and the end index, separated by a colon, to return a part of the string.