Chapter 1 Flashcards
Program
A set of instructions that a computer follows to perform a task.
Major components of a computer
- The CPU
- Main Memory
- Secondary Storage Devices
- Input Devices
- Output devices
CPU’s Job
To fetch instructions, follow the instructions, and produce some result.
Source Code
Statements written by the programmer.
Preprocessor
Reads the source code.
Compiler
Translates the preprocessed code into machine language.
Object code
Translated machine language.
Linker
During the last phase of the translation process a linker combines the object file with the necessary library routines.
Runtime Library
Library of prewritten code for preforming common operations.
Key Words
Words that have a special meaning. Key words may only be used for their intended purpose. Key words are also known as reserved words.
Programmer-Defined Identities
Words or names defined by the programmer. They are symbolic names that refer ro variables or programming routines.
Operators
Operators perform operations on one or more operands. An operand is usually a piece of data, like a number.
Punctuation
Punctuation characters that mark the beginning or end of a statement, or separate items in a list.
Syntax
Rules that must be followed when constructing a program. Syntax dictates how key words and operators may be used, and where punctuation symbols must appear.
Semicolon
Marks the end of a statement.
Programmer-Defined Identities: (cont.)
They are the names of variables, variables are the names of memory locations that may hold data.
Runtime Errors
A runtime error is an error that occurs while the program is running.
Object
A programming element that contains data and the procedures that operate on the data.
