Fundamentals of programming

Question 1

concept of a data type

Answer 1

defines the type of data that a variable or object can hold

Question 2

user defined data types

Answer 2

data types created by the programmer for a specific problem

Question 3

what are reference data types used for

Answer 3

reference data type are used as stores for memory addresses of objects created at runtime

Question 4

integer

Answer 4

any whole number
{8, 35)

Question 5

real

Answer 5

numbers with a decimal point and a fractional part
{2.0, 19.234)

Question 6

boolean

Answer 6

one of two values
{true or false}

Question 7

character

Answer 7

a letter, number or symbol in the given character set
{h, 6, $}

Question 8

string

Answer 8

sequence of characters
{hello world !}

Question 9

casting

Answer 9

changing the data type

Question 10

sequence

Answer 10

all lines are executed

Question 11

selection

Answer 11

decisions made that determines the execution

Question 12

iteration

Answer 12

code is repeated until specified conditions are met

Question 13

count control loops

Answer 13

exact number of iterations known

Question 14

condition controlled loops

Answer 14

iterates dependent on condition

Question 15

variables

Answer 15

locations in the memory containing single values

Question 16

constants

Answer 16

identifiers with values that remain fixed with values that remain fixed during the programs execution

Question 17

why use constants

Answer 17

ability to update
readability
compiler optimisation

Question 18

modulus

Answer 18

remainder
12 mod 5 gives 2

Question 19

quotient

Answer 19

how many times
17 div 5 gives 3

Question 20

boolean operators

Answer 20

takes boolean inputs and evaluate to a boolean value

Question 21

example of string handling

Answer 21

string subject = “Computer Science”

subject.length = 16
subject.upper = COMPUTER SCIENCE
subject.lower = compuer science
subject.substring(0,8) = Computer

Question 22

exceptions

Answer 22

events that occur during the executions of a program that disrupts the normal flow of the programs instructions

(sometimes cant be avoided and would normally terminate the program)

Question 23

exception handling

Answer 23

to provide an alternative code if an exception is raised (e.g. try and catch)

Question 24

pointer

Answer 24

stores the memory address of another variable

Question 25

records

Answer 25

data structure that groups together related data fields, allowing them to be treated as a single unit

Question 26

variable declaration

Answer 26

process of specifying the name and data type of a variable, without assigning it a value.

Question 27

constant declaration

Answer 27

process of assigning an unchangeable value to a variable, ensuring its value remains constant throughout the program’s execution.

Question 28

assignment

Answer 28

process of assigning a value to a variable

Question 29

subroutine and its advantages

Answer 29

named section of code that can be called from anywhere for a specific task

allows the same block of code to be called multiple times from different parts of a program, thus promoting efficiency and maintainability.

Question 30

definite iteration

Answer 30

when a loop executes a predetermined number of times (e.g. for loop)

Question 30

selection

Answer 30

allows code to be executed based on a specific condition

e.g. if statement

Question 31

indefinite iteration

Answer 31

when a loop continues to execute until a certain condition is met (e.g.

Question 32

truncation

Answer 32

removing the fractional part of a number, resulting in an integer value

Question 33

exponentiation

Answer 33

raising a number to a power

Question 34

Be able to explain the differences between a variable and a constant.

Answer 34

named storage location that can hold a value that can be changed during program execution

named storage location that holds a value that cannot be changed during program execution.

Question 35

explain the advantages of using named constants.

Answer 35

provide meaningful names for values, enhance code readability, and make it easier to maintain and modify code in the future.

Question 35

explain the advantages of using named constants.

Answer 35

provide meaningful names for values, enhance code readability, and make it easier to maintain and modify code in the future.

Question 36

explain the advantages of using named constants.

Answer 36

provide meaningful names for values, enhance code readability, and make it easier to maintain and modify code in the future.

Question 37

use of parameters

Answer 37

to pass data within programs.

Question 38

local variables

Answer 38

exist only while the subroutine is executing

are accessible only within the subroutine.

Question 39

why is it good practice to use local variables

Answer 39

minimizes conflicts, enhances reliability, reduces chance of data corruption

Question 40

explain how a stack frame is used with subroutine calls to store:

return addresses
parameters
local variables.

Answer 40

Stack frames are used by computers to store return addresses, parameters and local
variables for each subroutine call that occurs during the execution of a program.

Question 41

use of recursive techniques in programming languages

Answer 41

it solve problems by breaking them down into smaller, simpler versions of the same problem, and solving those recursively until a base case is reached.

Question 42

Understand the structured approach to program design and construction.

Answer 42

The structured approach to program design and construction involves breaking down a program into smaller, manageable tasks, using techniques such as stepwise refinement and modular design.

Question 43

explain the advantages of the structured approach.

Answer 43

better code organization, modularity, and easier debugging

Question 44

class

Answer 44

defines methods and attribute fields that capture the common behaviours and characteristics of objects

Question 45

object-oriented design principles:

Answer 45

encapsulate what varies

favour composition over inheritance

program to interfaces, not implementation.

Question 46

why is the object-oriented paradigm used.

Answer 46

provides programs with a clear structure that makes
developing and testing programs easier for developers

also allows for
large projects to be divided among a team of developers.

Question 47

how are objects created

Answer 47

using a constructor, implicit or explicit, and a reference to the object assigned to a reference variable of the class type

Question 48

how is aggregation represented as

Answer 48

white diamond line

Question 49

how is composition represented

Answer 49

black diamond line

Question 50

encapsulation

Answer 50

data and methods are bundled together within a class, allowing for data hiding and the controlled access and manipulation of that data.

Question 51

instantiation

Answer 51

process of creating an object of a class, allowing it to have its own unique properties and behaviours while adhering to the structure defined by the class.

Question 52

when does polymorphism occur

Answer 52

when objects are processed differently depending on their class.

Question 53

inheritance

Answer 53

allows one class to share the properties and
methods of another class, while having its own properties and methods too.