8.2 Programming

Question 1

What is an algorithm?

Answer 1

A set of instructions the computer follows in sequence?

Question 2

What is a sequence?

Answer 2

The order the program runs in.

Question 3

What is a variable?

Answer 3

A location in memory that stores one piece of data. It can change as the program runs.

Question 4

What is iteration?

Answer 4

When a block of code repeats/loops?

Question 5

What are the two iteration loops used in Python

Answer 5

A for loop is count controlled, whereas a while loop is condition controlled.

Question 6

Why is iteration used in a program?

Answer 6

To make the program more efficient, e.g. less lines of code so the program runs faster.

Question 7

What does selection mean?

Answer 7

The user has a choice and the program has different routes to follow based on the choice

Question 8

What are the key terms you would expect to see when reading a selection statement?

Answer 8

If/elif/else

Question 9

What is the purpose of indentation

Answer 9

The code belongs to the specific selection statement

Question 10

Write a print statement

Answer 10

print(‘A print statement’)

Question 11

Write an input statement for to user entering their name

Answer 11

name = input(‘Enter your name: ‘)

Question 12

How do the four types of malware get into the computer system:
Virus, worm, trojan and ransomware?

Answer 12

Virus - attaches
Worm - duplicates
Trojan - pretends
Ransomware - locks

Question 13

What is a list?

Answer 13

A location in memory that stores multiple elements under one name

Question 14

What is the difference between a variable and a list?

Answer 14

A variable can only store one element whereas a list stores multiple elements.

Question 15

How is a list defined in Python?

Answer 15

listName = [] (square brackets)

Question 16

What is computational thinking?

Answer 16

Computational thinking is about breaking a big problem into smaller manageable problems: Abstraction - selecting the relevant information, Decomposition - breaking it down into steps, Algorithmic thinking - writing short programs for each step.

Question 17

What is a structure diagram?

Answer 17

A structure diagram is a decomposition tool that shows visually the different steps in solving the problem.

Question 18

When have I come across computational thinking before?

Answer 18

Maths - BIDMAS: Brackets, Indices , Division, Multiplication, Addition and Subtraction.

Question 19

What is Python?

Answer 19

Python is a text-based programming language, which is close to the English language and is translated in order for a computer to understand.

Question 20

What is an algorithm?

Answer 20

An algorithm is a set of instructions that a computer needs to follow in order/sequence.

Question 21

What are de Facto standards in programming?

Answer 21

De Facto standards are the expected standard of presentation when writing programs, including title-author-date, this program is designed to… and #comments throughout code.

Question 22

What is an array?

Answer 22

An array is another word for a list. An array/list store multiple pieces of data in one location.

Question 23

What is a variable?

Answer 23

A variable stores one piece of data, and can change at the program runs?

Question 24

How is an array shown in Python?

Answer 24

With a name for the array and square brackets, e.g. studentList = [ ]

Question 25

What is iteration?

Answer 25

When a block code is repeated either until a condition is met or for a certain number of times.

Question 26

What key terms would you expect to see when reading iterative statements?

Answer 26

For loop or while loop

Question 27

What is the purpose of indentation

Answer 27

Repeat the block of code with the iterative statement

Question 28

What is computational thinking?

Answer 28

Computational thinking is where you take a big problem and break it down into steps and work through logically.

Question 29

Write a print statement

Answer 29

print(‘A print statement’)

Question 30

Write an input statement for to user entering their name

Answer 30

name = input(‘Enter your name: ‘)

Question 31

What does selection mean?

Answer 31

The user has a choice and the program has different routes to follow based on the choice

Question 32

What are the key terms you would expect to see when reading a selection statement?

Answer 32

If/elif/else

Question 33

What is the purpose of indentation?

Answer 33

The code belongs to the specific selection statement