2.5 - Programming Languages

Question 1

high-level language definition

Answer 1

A computer programming language used to write programs. They need to be translated into machine code through a compiler, interpreter or assembler.

Question 2

machine code definition

Answer 2

(Object code) it is a low level code that represents how computer hardware and CPUs understand instructions. It is represented by either binary or hexadecimal numbers.

Question 3

5 commonly used high level languages

Answer 3

Python
Java
C++
Csharp
JavaScript

Question 4

source code definition

Answer 4

Any program written in a high level language is known as source code
Must be translated into machine code before the computer can understand and execute it

Question 5

Advantages of machine code

Answer 5

Writing in machine code allows programmers to do things not possible in a high level language
Many high level languages do not allow the programmer to specify items such as the screen refresh rate

Question 6

Disadvantages of machine code

Answer 6

It is notoriously difficult to write in, understand and debug

Question 7

Assembly language definition

Answer 7

It sits in between machine code and high level language.
Assembly language uses mnemonics which each directly correspond with a machine code instruction.

Question 8

LDA

Answer 8

Loads a value from a memory adress

Question 9

STA

Answer 9

Stores a value in a memory address

Question 10

ADD

Answer 10

Adds the value held in a memory address to the value held in the accumulator

Question 11

SUB

Answer 11

Subtracts from the accumulator the value held in a memory address

Question 12

MOV

Answer 12

Moves the content of one memory address to another

Question 13

What is Little Man Computer

Answer 13

A simulation of a very basic processor using Vo NEumann Architecture. It uses an example of simple assembly;y language containing a limited set of mnemonic

Question 14

opcode def

Answer 14

This is the actual instruction

Question 15

Operand def

Answer 15

This is a value that the instruction uses or manipulates

Question 16

Translator definition

Answer 16

A translator is a program that converts source code into object code

Question 17

Compiler def

Answer 17

Takes the source code as a while and translates it into object code all in one go

Question 18

Advantages of compilers

Answer 18

-run quickly
-can be supplied as an executable file
-they optimise code

Question 19

Compiler disadvantages

Answer 19

-dont usually spot errors
-must be re compiled every time the program changes
- source code compiled on one platform will not run on another

Question 20

Interpreter def

Answer 20

Translates source code into object code one instruction at a time.

Question 21

Advantages of interpreters

Answer 21

-instructions are executed as they are translated
-require less available memory
-errors can be quickly spotted

Question 22

Disadvantages of interpreters

Answer 22

-run slower
-has to be translated every time it is run
-dont optimise code

Question 23

IDE stands for..

Answer 23

Integrated development environments

Question 24

Tools in IDEs

Answer 24

Line numbering
Colour coding
Auto correct
Auto indent
Auto suggestion

Question 25

Brands of IDE

Answer 25

IDLE Eclipse Visual studio

Question 26

Runtime environment

Answer 26

Special software that allows a program to run on a computer, even if it is not designed to run on it. It works on different platforms meaning a program can be developed on different systems and still work

Question 27

Debugging tools

Answer 27

Help programmers to locate and fix errors Breakpoints enable a program to be paused or stopped at predetermined points allowing the programmer to examine different parts of the running program to tell the programmer wether or the program is working as expected

Question 28

Variable tracing

Answer 28

Allows the programmer see the changing values of variables as the program runs