Computing vocab

Question 1

What is abstraction?

Answer 1

Abstraction is when you remove unecessary detail from a problem so that you can focus on the essential parts. (E.g. the London Underground map)

Question 2

What is decomposition?

Answer 2

Decomposition is when you break down a large problem into smaller sub-problems. This allows for the sub-problems to be broken further until each small task is managable.

Question 3

What is a linear search?

Answer 3

Is when a list or array is searched for sequentially until that the element that is being searched for is found.

Question 4

What is a binary search?

Answer 4

These algorithms are specifically designed for searching in sorted data-structures. They repeatedly target the centre of the search structure and divide the search space in half until the element they are looking for is found.

Question 5

What does the arithmetic operator ‘+’ mean?

Answer 5

+ means addition

For example 5+7 = 12

Question 6

What does the arithmetic operator ‘ - ‘ mean?

Answer 6

• means subtract

For example 5-7 = -2

Question 7

What does the arithmetic operator ‘ / ‘ mean?

Answer 7

/ means divide

For example 15/10= 1.5

Question 8

What does the arithmetic operator ‘*’ mean?

Answer 8

• means multiply

For example 5 *7 = 35

Question 9

What does the arithmetic operator ‘^’ mean?

Answer 9

^ means exponent

For example 5^2 = 25

Question 10

What does the arithmetic operator ‘ MOD ‘ mean?

Answer 10

MOD means Modulo ( remainder )

e.g. 17 MOD 3 = 2

Question 11

What does the arithmetic operator ‘DIV’ mean?

Answer 11

DIV means integer division

e.g. 17 DIV 3 = 5

Question 12

What is sequence?

Answer 12

Sequence is a series of steps which are completed one after the other.

Question 13

What is selection?

Answer 13

Selection is the ability to choose different paths through a program.

Question 14

What is Iteration?

Answer 14

Iteration is the repeating a part of a program.

Question 15

What does this program structure mean?
      \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
    /                   /
  /                   / 
/\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_/

Answer 15

It means Input/Output

Question 16

What does this program structure mean?
___________
( )
———————

Answer 16

This program structure means Terminal- for start and stop

Question 17

What does this program structure mean?

|
—————–

Answer 17

It means a process. Whether that be a maths operation and an assignment of variables.

Question 18

What does this program structure mean?

——–>

Answer 18

It means Line. This shows the direction of flow.

Question 19

What does this program structure mean?
      /  \
    /      \
  /          \\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_>
  \          /
    \      /
      \   /
        |
        |
       v

Answer 19

This means a decision symbol. It changes the direction of flow based on the direction it is pointing.