Lesson 5.4: Programming and Scripting

Question 1

Assembly language

Answer 1

Assembly language is machine-dependent, yet mainly consists of mnemonic processor instructions, data, and other statements or instructions that are not directly understandable by machine and high-level language as machine-independent. A computer understands instructions in machine code (i.e., in the form of 0s and 1s).

Question 2

Source code

Answer 2

The collection of instructions written in a programming language is called source code. Source code cannot be directly executed by the computer. Rather, source code requires a language processor, which is a special-purpose system software used to translate the source code into machine code

Question 3

Compiler

Answer 3

A compiler translates source code into machine language. A compiler checks source code for errors before translating it into object code. If the source code is found to have errors, the compiler specifies the errors. Errors must be resolved (also known as debugged) before the compiler can successfully recompile the source code. C, C++, C#, and Java programs need compilers to execute.

Question 4

Interpreters

Answer 4

Interpreters translate and execute source code into machine language one line at a time. If the interpreter finds an error, the process is terminated at the statement containing the error and displays an error message. The error must be resolved before the interpreter will continue to the next line. Interpreters convert instructions one statement at a time when the program is run. Perl and Python execute using interpreters.

Question 5

Common High-Level Programming Languages

Answer 5

C++
Uses a vocabulary and a set of rules for instructing a computer to perform certain tasks.

Python
An easy-to-use programming language that does not require a compiler for debugging.

JavaScript
A programming language designed to enable user engagement with dynamic elements on web pages.

Tcl
Often used in rapid prototyping and the creation of GUIs, TCL is a simple and compact language but is also very powerful.

PHP
An all-purpose language that is especially suitable for web development.

Question 6

algorithm

Answer 6

An algorithm provides a specifically structured set of inputs (i.e., the steps of a recipe) required to produce a specific output (i.e., your cake, pie, cookies, or special entrée).

In the IT world, an algorithm is a set of well-organized, computer-implemented instructions that often result in a computation or the solution to a problem. These computations can be simple or quite complex, depending on what the need is. Algorithms are even at the very heart of machine learning, and you will learn more about algorithms in the Scripting and Programming Foundations course later in this program.

An algorithm is a mathematical method of solving problems both big and small. Though computers run algorithms constantly, humans can also solve problems with algorithms.