4.3 Programming Languages

Question 1

What are the fundamental operations of a computer?

Answer 1

ADD
COMPARE
LOAD
SAVE

Question 2

What are compound operations?

Answer 2

Compound operations usually require a number of stages and sub operations. Whilst fundamental ones are usually just one stage.

Question 3

What are the two types of languages?

Answer 3

Natural and Computing

Question 4

What is a natural language?

Answer 4

Has varying vocabulary
Ambiguous
Grammar and Syntax is inconsistent

Question 5

What is a computing language?

Answer 5

Fixed vocabulary
Unambiguous
Grammar and Syntax is consistent

Question 6

What are High Level Languages?

Answer 6

Similar to human languages, so that humans can understand.

Question 7

What are Low Level Languages?

Answer 7

Close to binary so that computer can process instructions.

Question 8

Why are high level languages important?

Answer 8

Speed for humans to program
Ease of understanding

Question 9

Why is translation needed?

Answer 9

A computer to understand high level code.

Question 10

What is a compiler?

Answer 10

Higher level language to lower level language in one go.

Question 11

What is an Interpreter

Answer 11

Translates into intermediate code which can then be translated by CPU
Works line by line

Question 12

What is an assembler?

Answer 12

Translates assembly language into machine code.

Question 13

What is a virtual machine?

Answer 13

Installed onto a computer so java can run on many types of hardware.

Question 14

Why are virtual machines crucial?

Answer 14

Because then the programmer can write one code that will work on all platforms.

Question 15

How does a virtual machine work?

Answer 15

Matches the hardware of your device and then allows you to run program.

Question 16

What are variables?

Answer 16

Storage locations for data with location, and name and data type that cannot be changed.

Question 17

What is a constant?

Answer 17

An identifier with a value that can’t be altered.

Question 18

What is an Operator?

Answer 18

A character/set of characters that represents an action e.g. AND, =, /

Question 19

What is an Object?

Answer 19

An instance of a class.

Question 20

What process to Objects utilise?

Answer 20

Abstraction.

Question 21

What are collections?

Answer 21

A linked list with an unknown size and length. With order not guaranteed.

Question 22

What are Lists?

Answer 22

Lists are useful for when you don’t know how many items need to be stored. Can be used for any data type.

Question 23

What is modular design?

Answer 23

Breaking parts into manageable tasks.
Distribute development in a team.
Code is reused
Easy to read.

Question 24

Why is modular programming good?

Answer 24

Usefulness or reusable code.
Ease of program organisation
Makes future maintenance easier.

Question 25

What is good about manageable tasks?

Answer 25

Individual tasks are easier to design, test and implement.

Question 26

What are the manageable tasks called?

Answer 26

These tasks are called modules which can then be combined to build the program.

Question 27

What is good about distributed development?

Answer 27

Shortens development time.

Question 28

What is good about code reusability?

Answer 28

Reduces redundant code.
Can be used in future projects
Not writing the same thing over and over again.

Question 29

What is good about readability?

Answer 29

Easy for users/other programmers the understand.