Algorithms Flashcards
Abstraction
the process of filtering out the characteristics of patterns that are not needed in order to concentrate on those that are required for the solution
Acceptance Testing
a level of software testing where the software is tested for acceptability, the purpose of which is to evaluate the system’s compliance with the user’s requirements and access whether it is acceptable for implementation in the user’s organisation
Annotations
comments written in plain English that are ignored by the compiler and are there to help a programmer and other people who read the code understand it
Anti-virus
a program that can be loaded into memory when the computer is running that monitors activity on a computer system for the signs of virus infection that scans for a virus’s signature
Archiver
long-term storage of files no longer in use
Arithmetic Operations
operators used to manipulate programs
Array
a data structure that stores a collection of individual values that are the same data type
One-Dimensional Array
array for storing a list of values
Two-Dimensional Array
array for storing a matrix of values
Assertion Errors
provide a way to alert the programmer to mistakes during development
Assignment
the process of setting the value stored in the variable
Attributes
values that belong to a particular class, eg attributes in a book class include title, author, number of pages, date of publication
Authentication
checks if something is correct,
Check Digit
checks to see if an error has occurred by doing some mathematical calculations, normally with one or two digits
Double Entry
used in situations where the same identical piece of data needs to be entered twice, such as when changing a password
Format Check
checks the format of something, eg that a postcode or NI number has been entered correctly
Length Check
restricts how many characters can be entered into a text box
Lookup Table
reduces errors, used in situations such as to select a title from a menu
Presence Check
checks that something has been entered
Range Check
checks that data is between two endpoints, a minimum and maximum value
Backup Software
where the original file is still on the computer, but there is another copy somewhere else
Boolean Operations
can be used to join conditional statements together to form ‘complex conditions’
Boundary Data
test data that is on the very edge of the valid range of data
Classes
a template for an object, specifying attributes and methods that belong to each object e.g the library program would only contain one book class, using which many book objects would be created
Clipboard Manager
stores data copied to the clipboard so that it isn’t immediately deleted at each new copy function
CLI
Command Line Interface
a text based user interface used to run programs
Comment
part of the code that is not read by the computer
Comparison Operators
used to compare values
Complex Conditions
created by boolean expressions such as and, or, not or xor
Concatenating
joining variables together
Condition
a feature in an algorithm that can be met or not met, causing a different action to be taken
Constant
a value that is fixed
Count Variable
a variable containing an integer that counts how many times a loop has run
Cryptographic Utilities
secure communications techniques that enable only the sender and the intended recipient of messages to read its contents
Data Handling
collecting and processing data
Data Processing
the collection and manipulation of data to create meaningful information
Data Recovery
the process by which data that has been accidentally deleted can be recovered
Data Structure
a specific way of organising data within memory so that it can be processed effectively
Data Type
defines the range of values a variable may take
Decomposition
breaking down a problem into a matter of sub-routines
Disk Checkers
a system tool that verifies the file system integrity of a volume as well as for fixing logical file errors
Disk Cleaner
where files no longer of any use are removed
Disk Compression
a tool for compressing data on the disk
Disk Formatters
a tool for formatting data on a disk
Disk Partition Editors
the creation of one or more regions on secondary storage, so that each region can be managed separately
Erroneous Data
data that the program isn’t designed to work with, so the program might break if you don’t validate
Exceptions
provide a way to handle errors that may legitimately occur at runtime
Extreme Data
data that’s close to being erroneous, which may or may not be valid depending on the context
Dry Run
the process of a programmer manually working through their code to trace the value of variables
File Manager
a program used to organize, list, and locate files and directories on a computer
Flowchart
a way of designing an algorithm that that uses different shapes to represent different types of instruction
Arrow
used to show the flow of data through a flowchart
Circle
connector, used to connect parts of the same flowchart that are drawn in different places, such as different pages
Diamond
decision, used to demonstrate a decision or choice
Oval
start/stop, used to show where beginning and end of the flowchart is
Parrallelogram
input/output, used to show where a flowchart will take an input, or provide an output
Rectangle
process, used to show any processes or calculations that are happening in the flowchart
For loops
repeats an instruction a certain number of times
Formatting
where files are made compatible with the operating system
Function
a collection of connected statements that carry out a certain activity
GUI
Graphical User Interface
a graphics-based user interface used for running programs
Incrementation
where one is added or subtracted from a variable
DIV
Integer Division
finds the quotient or the ‘whole number of times’ a divisor can be divided into a number, eg the quotient as 5 as 2 divides into 11 5 times
Integration Testing
a level of software testing where individual units are combined and tested as a group, the purpose being to expose faults in the interaction between integrated units
Interface
a clear boundary between the human and the machine
Invalid Data
data that’s in the correct format, bug should be rejected by the program
Logical Operators
logical operators are used to combine conditional statements
Loop
a sequence of instructions that is continuously repeated a set number of times or until a condition is met
Indefinite Loop
also known as a condition-control loop, a loop that continues until a specific condition is met or broken
Inner Loop
loop inside a loop
Outer Loop
loop containing other loops
Mathematical Operators
arithmetic functions are used with numeric values to perform common mathematical operations
Methods
subroutines that belong to a particular class, that can be run on any object created from that class, eg the book class may have a method called ‘borrow’
Modular Programming
a method of organising large computer programs into self-contained parts known as modules
MOD
Modulo Division
finds the remainder when a divisor is divided into a number, eg the remainder is 1 as 2 divides 5 times into 11 with 1 remaining
Mutable
data that can be changed
Normal Data
typical data that a computer program would be able to accept
Object
a representation of a real-world object eg a library program may contain millions of ‘book’ objects
OOP
Object Orientated Programming
a programming paradigm based on the concept of objects, which can contain data and code
Pattern Recognition
recognising patterns in complex problems can help to solve them more efficiently, making the solution more manageable
Procedure
functions that don’t return a value
Pseudocode
a way of designing an algorithm in programming-type statements that are not specific to any programming language
Record
a collection of related data contained in one or more files or a database
Refinement
testing results are used to refine/improve the functionality of a program
Repetition
a way of repeating a set of instructions in an algorithm
Revision Control
the management of changes made over time
Scope
refers to whether a variable is local, global etc
Screen Based Validation
the user checks that the data entered matches a source document
Selection
a way of creating multiple paths and decisions in an algorithm
Self-Documenting Identifier
any name that you give to a subroutine or variable that makes it clear what that subroutine or variable is for
Sequence
the order in which a set of instructions is carried out on an algorithm
Subroutine
a named set of instructions that can be called to run from elsewhere in the program, such as procedures and functions
System Profiles
a program that can provide detailed information about the software installed and hardware attached to a computer
System Testing
a level of testing that validates the complete and fully integrated software product, the purpose of which is to evaluate end-to-end system specifications, usually only one element of a larger computer based system
Validation
process to check whether something is correct or not
Variable
a changeable value within a computer program
Global Variable
a variable that is visible throughout a whole program
Local Variable
a variable that is visible within a subroutine, does not retain its value every time the function is called
Verification
process to check whether entries are correct or not
Static Local Variable
a variable that is visible within a subroutine, retains its value every time the function is called
Dynamic Variable
describes the range in which elements of a computer program can act, means elements such as variables, constants, functions or procedures, lasts for the run of the program and is allocated specific memory as and when it is needed
Disk Formatters
a tool for formatting data on a disk
Utility Software
software designed to help to analyse, configure, optimize or maintain a computer
Test Plan
a document that details the scope, approach, resources and schedule of intended test activities
Test Strategy
a document that sets out the approach to testing a software application
Typical Data
data that is correct and should be processed correctly within the program
Unit Testing
a testing technique that involves testing each individual module of a programmed solution to ensure that each one functions as it should
User Interface
the point of human-computer interaction and communication in a device
Visual Check
the user checks that the data entered matches a source document
