CA1 Flashcards
Define:
top-down approach
Technique used to solve problems where the problem is broken down into smaller and smaller problems until an easily solved problem is defined.
Fill The Blank:
The …… ……… approach divides a problem into multiple smaller problems which can be used to individually code each module.
Top Down
Fill The Blank:
When using the top down approach, the problem is ……….. until it cannot be done so any further. This approach uses a …………. process to break down large problems.
Decomposed, Stepwise
Fill The Blank:
Each level in the top down approach shows a different level of ……. due to …………….
Detail, Abstraction
Define:
Computational Thinking
A method of problem solving where possible solutions are developed and presented in a way that can be understood by humans and computers
Define:
Abstraction
Removing characteristics that are not needed to focus on essential characteristics
Fill The Blank:
The bottom up approach, starts with the ……….. part (module) of the problem. These modules are then ………….. until the complete problem is solved.
Smallest, Combined
Guess The Keyword:
Combination of modules when using the bottom up approach
Integration
True or False:
The top down approach cannot contain redundant information.
False
True or False:
When using the bottom up approach, redundancy can be eliminated
True
Multiple Choice:
The top down approach is better suited to:
1) Procedural orientated programming
2) Object orientated programming
1) Procedural orientated programming
Multiple Choice:
The bottom up approach is better suited to:
1) Procedural orientated programming
2) Object orientated programming
2) Object orientated programming
State:
2 uses of the top down approach in development
2 out of:
* Module documentation
* Test case creation
* Code implentation
* Debugging
State:
One use of the bottom up approach in development
Testing
Fill The Blank:
The …………. approach breaks down a problem into lots of smaller components (modules) to be developed individually which is less daunting. These modules then work together to provide a solution to the initial problem.
Modularisation
Fill The Blank:
Modularisation is often used in ………. ………… programming languages
Object Orientated
State:
The four techniques, also know as pillars, in computational thinking
Decomposition, Pattern Recognition, Abstraction, Algorithms
Define:
Decomposition
Breaking a complex problem into smaller and more manageable seperate parts
Fill The Blank:
When a problem is decomposed, each part can be ………., ………. and ………….. individually
Developed, Tested, Evaluated
Fill The Blank:
The solutions to each individual problem/module can be much simpler and easier to ………………. than the larger overall problem
Understand
State:
What problem solving approach uses decomposition?
Top-down
Fill The Blank:
When decomposition is complete then each sub-problem should be at the same…
Level of Detail
State:
2 advantages of decomposition
- Different people can work on different sub-tasks, modules, which can be integrated to make the final solution
- Maintanence of the final software solution can be completed at modular level
Fill The Blank:
Step 1) Identify and describe the …………… and ……………. It is important in this stage that the correct ……… ……… are used relating to the ……………
Steps of Decomposition
Problems, Processes, Technical Terms, Industry
State:
2 disadvantages of decomposition
- The sub-problems may not correctly combine to solve the initial problem
- If the initial problem is not fully understood, it can be difficult to decompose
Fill The Blank:
Step 2) ………. down the problem into seperate ………
Steps of Decomposition
Break, Tasks
Fill The Blank:
Step 3) …………. the tasks and subtasks. ……………… should be made to enable a third party to implement a solution to the problem
Steps of Decomposition
Describe, Documentation
Fill The Blank:
Step 4) …………..; Most software is made with a ………. and tasks are usually divided between team members
Steps of Decomposition
Communicate, Team
State:
2 Emerging technologies that use pattern recognition
2 of:
* Facial Recognition
* Voice Recognition
* Automated Transport
Fill The Blank:
Step 1) Identifying and interpreting …………….. elements in ……………. or ………………
Steps of Pattern Recognition
Common, Problems, Systems
Fill The Blank:
Step 2) Identifying and interpreting common ………………… in problems or systems
Steps of Pattern Recognition
Differences
Fill The Blank:
Step 4) ………….. patterns that have been identified
Steps of Pattern Recognition
Describing
Fill The Blank:
Step 5) Making ………….. based on …………. patterns
Steps of Pattern Recognition
Predictions, Identified
Define:
Abstraction
Process of removing or filtering characteristics that are not needed in order to focus on essential characteristics
Fill The Blank:
Step 1) Identify what …………….. is required to solve the problem, understand …….. this information is important and the ………. it is required in
Steps of Abstraction
Information, Why, Format
Fill The Blank:
Step 2) Carry out abstraction to ………. out the unrequired information
Steps of Abstraction
Filter
State:
What 6 elements must each layer of abstraction show
- Inputs
- Outputs
- Variables
- Constants
- Key processes
- Repeated processes
Define:
Algorithm
A well-defined set of step-by-step instructions to solve a problem
Fill The Blank:
An algorithm is language ………………
Independent
State:
Give 4 requirements of an algorithm
- Clear
- Clear defined outputs and inputs
- Simple
- Language independent
State:
3 advantages of an algorithm
- Easy to understand by anyone
- Step by step representation of a solution to a given problem
- Initial problem is broken down into steps, which means it is easier to convert into code
State:
2 disadvantages of algorithms
- Can be time consuming to create
- Some constructs can be difficult to represent
State:
The 4 ways an algorithm can be represented
- Flowchart
- Written Description
- Pseudocode
- Program Code
Define:
Flowchart
Graphical diagram that represents an algorithm which can be used to solve a problem
State:
2 advantages of using a flowchart to represent an algorithm
- Flow of the algorithm can be seen clearly
- Flowcharts are created using a standardised set of symbols so can be interpreted and understood by many people
State:
2 disadvantages of using a flowchart to represent an algorithm
- Can become large and difficult to follow when representing a large program
- Changes to design may result in the flowchart being amended or redrawn
Fill The Blank:
Written descriptions should be in …………… language or plain English. There is no set of …….. to follow when using written description but they should be …….., ……… and contain few/no specific ………
Natural, Rules, Clear, Simple, Details
State:
2 advantages of using a written description to represent an algorithm
- No formal syntax, so many people can create a written description
- Automatic and natural to use ‘proper’ English
State:
2 disadvantages of using a written description to represent an algorithm
- Temptation to create a complete description (complicating it)
- Failure to include every step required
Define:
Pseudocode
An informal description that shows the flow of an algorithm and follows a similar structure to high level languages
State:
3 advantages of using pseudocode to represent an algorithm
3 of:
* Can be converted into programming code with only minor changes to obey syntax of the language
* Can be easy to follow and understand even if errors are present in the pseudocode
* Changes can be added in quickly
* Can act as a link between the algorithm and the final program
* Explains the purpose of each line of code
State:
2 disadvantages of using pseudocode to represent an algorithm
- Can be time consuming to write clear and well structured pseudocode to write the final program code
- Can be difficult to see the logical flow of the program
Define:
Program Code
Code written to solve the problem which follows the rules of a selected programming language
State:
3 advantages of using (draft) program code to represent an algorithm
- Very probable the person creating the algorithm will have programming knowledge
- Not necessary to use the correct syntax
- All the required constructs will be available to be included in draft code
State:
2 disadvantages of using program code to represent an algorithm
- Easy to begin creating draft code but end up creating the final program code
- Full decomposition may not be completed
Define:
Dry Run
Manually working through the code to trace the value of variables
Define:
Trace Table
Tool used to test or dry run algorithms to make sure no logical errors occur while calculations are being processed
State:
2 ways to test/check an algorithm works
- Visual Check
- Trace Table
State:
2 advantages of using pre-written/library code
2 of:
* Save development time
* Save testing time
* Will be optimised (more efficient and error free)
State:
1 disadvantage of using pre-written/library code
It may not be exactly what is required and may require editing to work for an unique problem
Fill The Blank:
A ……….. check can be used to determine the purpose of the algorithm using pseudocode
Visual
State:
Correct syntax for a REPEAT statement in pseudocode
REPEAT
{command}
UNTIL {expression}
State:
Correct syntax for a IF statement in pseudocode
IF {expression} THEN
{command}
END IF
