Chapter 7 Algorithms, Psuedocode, etc

Question 1

Stages of the program development life cycle

Answer 1

Analysis
Design
Coding
Testing

Question 2

What is Analysis (PDLC)

Answer 2

Analysis is a process of investigation, which leads to finding out the purpose and specifications of the program

Question 3

What is Design (PDLC)

Answer 3

Shows how the program should be developed using the program specifications from analysis

Question 4

What is Coding (PDLC)

Answer 4

Writing the program(s) itself and iterative testing

Question 5

What is Testing (PDLC)

Answer 5

testing program code with the use of test data

Question 6

What is abstraction - analysis

Answer 6

Key elements for a solution are kept and unnecessary info is discarded.

Question 7

What is decomposition - analysis

Answer 7

A complex problem is broken down into smaller parts that can be solved easily.

Question 8

Methods used for design

Answer 8

Structure diagram
Flowcharts
Pseudocode

Question 9

What is a top-down design

aka

Answer 9

Constant breaking down of a computer system into a set of smaller sub-systems until each sub-system only performs 1 operation.

aka stepwise refinement

Question 10

Components of a computer system (decomposition)

Answer 10

Inputs
Processes
Outputs
Storage

Question 11

What is input - decomposition

Answer 11

Data used by the system that needs to be entered while the system is active

Question 12

What is processes- decomposition

Answer 12

Tasks that need to be performed by a program using the input data and prev. stored data.

Question 13

What is output - decomposition

Answer 13

Information that needs to be displayed or printed for the users.

Question 14

What is storage - decomposition

Answer 14

Data that needs to be stored in files on an appropriate media for use in the future.

Question 15

What is linear search

Answer 15

An algorithm that inspects each item in a list in turn to see if the item matches the value searched for

Question 16

What is bubble sort

Answer 16

Makes multiple passes through a list comparing each element with the next element and swapping them, until no more passes/swaps can occur.

Question 17

What is validation

Answer 17

Automated checks carried out to ensure that data is reasonable before it is accepted.

Question 18

Types of validation

Answer 18

Range checks
Length checks
Type checks
Presence checks
Format checks
check digits

Question 19

Range checks

Answer 19

Checks that the value of a number is between an upper and lower bound.

Question 20

explain Length checks

syntax om
pseudocode
python

Answer 20

Ensures that the data entered is a specific number of characters long.

pseudo: LENGTH()
py: len()

Question 21

Type checks

Answer 21

Checks that the data entered is of a specific type

Question 22

Presence checks

Answer 22

Checks if data has been entered

Question 23

Format checks

Answer 23

Checks if the characters entered follow the pre-defined pattern

Question 24

Check digits

Answer 24

An additional digit that is added to the number to make sure the entered number is error-free.

Question 25

What is verification

Answer 25

Makes sure that has been accurately copied/transferred from another sources and input into a computer

Question 26

What is double entry

Answer 26

Makes users enter data twice

Question 27

What is screen/visual check

Answer 27

Manual check that is completed by the user that enters the data.

Question 28

What is a trace table

Answer 28

Used to record results from each step in an algorithm

Question 29

What is normal data

Answer 29

Data that is accepted by a program

Question 30

What is abnormal data

Answer 30

Data rejected by a program

Question 31

What is extreme data

Answer 31

smallest/largest data value that is accepted by a program

Question 32

What is boundary data

Answer 32

smallest/largest data value accepted by a program along with smallest/largest data value rejected by a program

Question 33

What is pseudocode

Answer 33

Simple method of showing an algorithm. Describes what the algorithm does by using English key words that are similar to those used in high-level programming language without the strict syntax rules.

Question 34

what is an algorithm

Answer 34

Ordered set of steps to solve a problem

Question 35

what is a flowchart

Answer 35

a diagram that shows the steps required for a task and the order in which steps are performed.

Question 36

What is a structure diagram

Answer 36

Shows the design of a CS in a hierarchical way, which each level giving a detailed breakdown of the system into sub systems.

Question 37

What is iterative testing

Answer 37

modular tests are conducted, code amended, and tests repeated until the module performs as required.

Question 38

How is top-down design used for large computer systems what does this do

Answer 38

t several programmers can work independently to develop and test different sub-systems for the same system at the same time. This reduces the development and testing time.

Question 39

What are the begin/end symbols called in flowcharts shape

Answer 39

terminator flowchart symbols elliptical

Question 40

What is the process symbol called in flowcahrts shape

Answer 40

Process flowchart symbols rectangle

Question 41

Shape of input/output

Answer 41

Parallelogram

Question 42

Shape of decision in pseudocode

Answer 42

diamond always 2 flow lines - one YES one NO a question mark eg x > b ?

Question 43

What does a flow line show

Answer 43

direction of flow

Question 44

What to use for linear search in psuedocode

Answer 44

repeat until loop found variable - boolean counter - integer

Question 45

What is a computer system made out of

Answer 45

made up of sub-systems, which are made up of further sub-systems