2.5 Programming Languages and IDEs

Question 1

Text editor

Answer 1

Allows you to add and edit code as well as to insert comments

Question 2

Runtime environment

Answer 2

Runs your program by converting your source code into machine code in order for it to be executed by the CPU

Question 3

Syntax checking

Answer 3

Checks for potential syntax errors as you code. Helps avoid or pick up common errors.

Question 4

Keyword highlighting

Answer 4

Colour codes command words, variables and data types. Make code more readable and assists with debugging.

Question 5

Debugging tools

Answer 5

Help you detect and locate errors. E.g. threading, break points and memory inspector.

Question 6

Break point

Answer 6

Allows you to trace a program and pause execution at a specific point to see the values of your variables

Question 7

Memory inspector

Answer 7

Displays the contents of memory so you can see how the program is using it. Helps to debug memory leaks.

Question 8

Threading

Answer 8

Allows you to see threads currently running (code running in parallel).

Question 9

High-level languages

Answer 9

E.g. Python, JavaScript, C++. Programming languages that allow the programmer to specify the logical steps to solve a problem without having to worry about the low-level machine operations needed to perform the computation.

Question 10

Low-level languages

Answer 10

E.g. Machine code, assembly language. Programming languages that require the programmer to specify the steps to solve a problem in terms that are aligned to the operations of a specific machine.

Question 11

Machine code

Answer 11

Program instructions that require no further translation as they are already in binary

Question 12

Assembly languages

Answer 12

A low-level programming language that uses mnemonics to represent machine code operations.

Question 13

Mnemonic

Answer 13

A meaningful code (such as LOAD) that is used to represent an opcode in an assembly language program.

Question 14

Embedded System

Answer 14

E.g. central heating system, automatic windscreen wipers, washing machine. A complete computer system that has a dedicated function within a larger system.

Question 15

Device driver

Answer 15

Software that provides an interface to a peripheral device such as a printer. The driver translates commands from the peripheral device into a form that the operating system and other programs can understand and vice versa.

Question 16

Compiler

Answer 16

Converts the whole high-level code into machine code before running it. (C# is a compiled language)

Question 17

Interpreter

Answer 17

Converts one statement of the high-level program at a time into machine code before running the line. (Python, JavaScript are interpreted languages)

Question 18

IDE

Answer 18

Integrated development environment. Application that allows the writing and running of programs. Provides support with debugging and diagnostics.