Algorithms

Question 1

what does Unambiguous mean?

Answer 1

This means that the instructions cannot be misunderstood. Simply saying ‘turn’ would be ambiguous because you could turn left or right. All instructions given to a computer must be unambiguous or it wont know what to do.

Question 2

What is a sequence?

Answer 2

An ordered set of instructions.

Question 3

what is an Algorithm?

Answer 3

A precise method for solving a problem.

Question 4

What does High-level programming language mean?

Answer 4

A programming language that resembles natural human language.

Question 5

What is a flowchart?

Answer 5

A graphical representation of an algorithm. Each step in the algorithm is represented by a symbol.Symbols are linked together wit arrows showing the order in which steps are executed.

Question 6

what is a pseudo-code ?

Answer 6

A structured, code like language that can be used to describe an algorithm.

Question 7

what is a variable?

Answer 7

a ‘container’ used to store data. the data stored in a variable is referred to as a value.The value stored in a variable is not fixed.The same variable can store different values during the course of a program and each time a program is run.

Question 8

what is an identifier?

Answer 8

a unique name given to a variable or a constant. Using descriptive names for variables makes codes much easier to read.

Question 9

what is a Arithmetic operator ?

Answer 9

an operator that performs a calculation on two numbers.

Question 10

What is a constant ?

Answer 10

a ‘container’ that holds a value that never changes. Like variables, constants have unique identifiers.

Question 11

what is a construct?

Answer 11

a component from which something is built.letters and numbers are the constructs we use to build our language and convey meaning.

Question 12

what is meant by selection?

Answer 12

a construct that allows a choice to be made between alternatives.

Question 13

what is iteration ?

Answer 13

a construct that means the repetition of a process.An action is repeated until there is a desired outcome or a condition is met . it is often referred to as a loop.

Question 14

what is a IF……THEN….ELSE statement?

Answer 14

the IF….THEN….ELSE statement allows a choice to be made between two alternatives based on whether or not a condition is met.

Question 15

What is a relational operator?

Answer 15

an operator that compares two values.

Question 16

what is an Nested IF statement?

Answer 16

a nested IF statement consists of one or more IF statements placed inside each other.A nested IF is used where there are more than two possible courses of action.

Question 17

what is an indefinite iteration?

Answer 17

this statement is used when the numbers of iterations is not known before the loop is started. The iterations stop when a specified condition is met. This sort of loop is said to be a conditional loop.

Question 18

what is a definite iteration?

Answer 18

this is used when the number of iterations,or turns the loop, is known in advance.It can be set to as many turns as you want.this sort of loop is said to be count controlled

Question 19

what is a logical operator?

Answer 19

it is a boolean operator using AND,OR,NOT.

Question 20

what is a RANDOM NUMBER?

Answer 20

a number within a given range of numbers that is generated in such a way that each number in the range has an equal chance of occurring.

Question 21

what is a nested loop?

Answer 21

a loop that runs inside another loop. The inner one executes all of its instructions for each turn of the outer loop.

Question 22

what is concatenation?

Answer 22

it is the linking together of two or more items of information.