Key Definitions - 2.2

Question 1

Variable -

Answer 1

Used within a computer program to store a single piece of data. The contents can be changed

Question 2

Constant

Answer 2

Used within a computer program to store a single piece of data. The data does not change within the program (it remains constant)

Question 3

Operator

Answer 3

Used within a program to represent an action e.g + which represents addition

Question 4

Input

Answer 4

Data entered into a computer program

Question 5

Output

Answer 5

Data sent out by the computer program

Question 6

Assignment

Answer 6

When a value is set/given to a variable

Question 7

Sequence -

Answer 7

When the code/instructions are all in order so that one piece of code executes followed by the next etc

Question 8

Selection -

Answer 8

• when a choice/decision is used within a program, allowing for multiple outcomes dependent on the data that is inputted.

E.g if, else

Question 9

Iteration

Answer 9

• When a section of code is repeated

Question 10

Condition Controlled Iteration

Answer 10

This is a type of iteration, where the code is repeated until a certain condition is met. This means the code could execute any number of times, as it relies on the condition being met before stopping.

Question 11

Count Controlled Iteration

Answer 11

This is a type of iteration, where the code is repeated a specific number of times. This means the code will only execute this number of times before stopping.

Question 12

String

Answer 12

A data type which is used when storing alphanumeric characters and symbols. E.g. letters, numbers, #?!- etc.

Question 13

String Manipulation

Answer 13

Refers to when a string is altered or edited to suit the means of the program.

Question 14

String Concentation

Answer 14

Refers to when strings are brought together and combined.

Question 15

String Splitting

Answer 15

Refers to when a string is split at specific points,
separating the single string into multiple strings.

Question 16

Text File

Answer 16

Used to store data whilst the program is running.

Question 17

Database -

Answer 17

Used to store large amounts of data beyond whilst the program is running. Offers a more secure way of storing data.

Question 18

Record

Answer 18

Refers to all data stored about a single data subject within a table. Can often be seen as a single row within a table.

Question 19

Field

Answer 19

Refers to the various categories for which data is collected. Can often be seen as a single column within a table.

Question 20

SQL

Answer 20

Structured Query Language - the language used to manage, maintain and query a database.

Question 21

SQL Query

Answer 21

Written to extract data from within a database.

Question 22

SELECT

Answer 22

An element of a SQL query. Used to determine which field will be extracted.

Question 23

FROM

Answer 23

An element of a SQL query. Used to determine which table the data will be extracted from.

Question 24

WHERE -

Answer 24

An element of an SQL query. Used to set the criteria for the query. This element may not always come up in a question.

Question 25

List

Answer 25

Used within a program. Allows you to store multiple pieces of data in the same location.

Question 26

One Dimensional List

Answer 26

Stores one piece of data per data subject, identified using a single index.

Question 27

Two Dimensional List

Answer 27

Stores multiple pieces of data per data subject,
identified using two indices.

Question 28

Sub-Program

Answer 28

Used within a computer program. It is a section of code that is ‘called upon’ within a program when being executed. It allows for the same piece of code to be used without having to repeatedly write it out.

Question 29

Argument

Answer 29

Data that is passed into a sub-program to be used within the sub-program.

Question 30

Parameter

Answer 30

The variables that are passed into a sub-program to be used within the sub-program.

Question 31

Function

Answer 31

A type of sub-program. A function is a sequence of instructions which return a value.

Question 32

Procedure

Answer 32

A type of sub-program. A procedure is a sequence of instructions which do not return a value.

Question 33

Data Type -

Answer 33

Refers to the way data is stored within a program. The data type determines what type of operations can take place on the data. There are 5 main data types (string, integer, Boolean, real/float, character)

Question 34

Integer

Answer 34

A data type, used to store whole numbers.

Question 35

Boolean

Answer 35

A data type, used to store a TRUE/FALSE value.

Question 36

Real/Float

Answer 36

A data type used to store numbers that require decimal places.

Question 37

Character -

Answer 37

A data type used to store a single character.

Question 38

Casting -

Answer 38

Altering a variable’s data type within a program.

Question 39

Arithmetic Operator

Answer 39

Refers to the various operators used to perform arithmetic calculations within a program (+, -, *, /)

Question 40

DIV

Answer 40

Is short for Quotient, and is used to find the whole number of a division.

Question 41

MOD

Answer 41

Is short for Modulus, and is used to find the remainder of a division.

Question 42

Boolean Operator

Answer 42

Refers to the various operators used to perform comparisons on data within a program which provides more focused results (AND, OR, NOT).

Question 43

Random

Answer 43

A function built into python which allows for random choices to be made, used during random number generation.