Developing Software Flashcards
What are variables in code?
Containers for storing pieces of data that may change during a program’s execution.
What do variables let you do?
Associate a unique name with a piece of data.
How can variables be declared?
var $x = 10;
let name = “john smith”.
Describe the Waterfall software development lifecycle.
A linear, sequential approach where each phase (e.g., requirements, design, coding, testing) is completed before moving on to the next.
What are the pros and cons of the Waterfall lifecycle?
Pros: Simple to manage; clear milestones.
Cons: Inflexible; changes are costly and difficult to implement later.
Describe the Agile software development lifecycle.
Iterative and incremental, focusing on delivering small, functional pieces of software in short cycles (called sprints).
What are the pros and cons of the Agile lifecycle?
Pros: Flexible; promotes collaboration; delivers value quickly.
Cons: Requires strong communication; can be challenging to manage for large teams.
Describe the Spiral software development lifecycle.
Combines iterative development with risk management, focusing on early identification and mitigation of risks.
What are the pros and cons of the Spiral lifecycle?
Pros: Reduces project risks; incorporates flexibility.
Cons: Can be complex and costly.
What is iteration in programming?
Where a block of code can be run repeatedly until a condition is met.
What are two methods of iteration in JavaScript?
While loop and for loop.
Do while loop and for in loop.
What are functions?
Named blocks of code that can take inputs and return output.
What do functions let you do?
Re-use code, cutting down on code repetition.
What is an argument in programming?
A piece of data that is passed into a function as input when it is called.
How can you define a function?
Using the word “function” followed by the name of the function.
What is concatenation?
The act of joining two strings together in a piece of code.
What are code comments?
Statements that are ignored by the interpreter used to document code.
What is a good practice when writing code in regards to naming?
A consistent naming convention where variables and functions follow a defined and predictable format.
What is code indentation?
Where blocks of code are pushed further to the right using tabs or spaces.
