Applications Generation Flashcards
What is the difference between applications software and systems?
Applications utilised directly by the end-user but systems ensures high performance of the computer
Give 3 examples of utilities
- Compression
- Disk defragmentation
- Antivirus
- Automatic backup
- Automatic update
Give one advantage of using closed source code
- Thorough, regular and well-tested updates
- Expert user manuals and support from company
- High levels of security as it’s developed in a professional controlled environment
State two features of open source code
- Does not require a license to be used
- Distributed with the source code
- Can be modified and sold on
Give two advantages of using compiled code over interpreted code
- Faster to execute
- Does not require compiler to run
Give two advantages of using interpreted code over compiled code
- Is platform independent
- Runs instantly without time waiting for compilation
- Useful for debugging
What is assembly language?
A low-level language that has almost a one-to-one relationship with machine code. It is platform specific
What are the stages of compilation?
- Lexical analysis
- Syntax analysis
- Code generation
- Opitmisation
What happens during the stages of syntax analysis?
- Tokens are compared to the rule of the programming language\
- Syntax errors are identified
- Symbol table updated with more details
- Semantic analysis (finding logical errors)
What are the similarities and differences between static and dynamic linkers?
Similarities: both link external modules and libraries to the main program
Static: librat code copied into the file. File size increased
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What are the similarities and differences between static and dynamic linkers?
Similarities: both link external modules and libraries to the main program
Static: Library code copied into the file. File size increases.
Dynamic: Addresses of library included within the file. External updates automatically feed through to the main program.
Give three advantages of using libraries
- Error-free
- Save time
- Re-usable
- No need to ‘reinvent the wheel’
- Designed by experts
Describe the function of the loader
Provided by the operating system, a loader retrieves the library or subroutine from the given main memory.
What is the purpose of the optimisation stage of compilation?
- Reduce execution time
- Reduce inefficient sections of code
- Remove redundant code
