OLD PROGRAMMING CARDS Flashcards
What are the standard algorithms?
5
- Input Validation
- Count Occurence
- Linear Search
- Find Min
- Find Max
Standard Algorithms:
Input Validation Code
start fixed loop
get input from user
conditional loop - while input not match conditions
display error message
get input from user
end conditional
end fixed loop
Standard Algorithm:
Count Occurence Code
total = 0
get value from user
fixed loop
if array index = value
total = total + 1
end if
next
display message
Standard Algorithms:
Linear Search Code
found = false
counter = 0
get search value input
Do
if searchValue = array index then
found = true
msgbox(“The program found the value at position “ & counter)
else
counter = counter + 1
endif
loop until counter = end of array or found = true
if found = false
display message
end if
Standard Algorithms:
Find Min
min = first array index
fixed loop
if array index is less than min then
assign value to min
end if
next
display message
Standard Algorithms:
Find Max
max = first array index
fixed loop
if array index is more than max then
assign value to max
end if
next
display message
What can variables be declared as?
2
- Local
- Global
Local Variable Defintion
2
- A variable declared in a sub program
- Scope of variable is the sub program it is declared in
Global Variable Defintion
- A variable that is declared outwith a sub program
- Scope of variable is the entire program
Implementation:
Parallel Arrays Definition
Arrays used in conjuction of each other so programmers can display information together
Implementation:
Records Definition
Programmer defined data types
Implementation:
How can multiple data types be held in one array?
By creating a record structure and declaring an array of records
Implementation:
Record Structure Code
Structure NAME
public NAME as DATATYPE
public NAME as DATATYPE
public NAME as DATATYPE
End Structure
Implementation:
Array of Records Code
Dim ARRAYNAME(num) as **NAME*
Implementation:
Module Programming Examples
3
- Sub-Program
- Procedure
- Function
Implementation:
Sub-Program Definition
A block of code that can be called and accessed by the main program
Implementation:
Procedure Defintion
Sub-programs designed to perform a series of commands with values sometimes passed to/from another part of the program
Implementation:
Function Definition
Sub-programs designed to always return a single value to another part of the program
Implementation:
Formal & Actual Parameters
Implementation:
What is parameter passing?
When a local variable is passed from one sub program to another
Implementation:
What are the ways a parameter can be passed?
2
- By reference
- By value
Implementation:
By Reference Definition
The sub-program has direct access to the memory location holding the value. This means any changes to the value being held will be stored.
Implementation:
By Value Definition
The sub-program is given a temporary copy of the value being held in the variable. The value can be changed, but this will not be stored
Implementation:
How must arrays be parameter passed?
By Reference
Implementation:
What is a pre-defined function?
Code built into the software that does not need to be created by a programmer
Implementation:
What are the pre-defined functions?
4
- Character to ASCII
- ASCII to Character
- Decimal to Integer
- Find the Remainder
Implementation (pre-defined functions):
Character to ASCII Code
Asc(“A”)
Returns 65
Implementation (pre-defined functions):
ASCII to Character Code
Chr(65)
Returns A
Implementation (pre-defined functions):
Decimal to Integer Code
CInt(3.14)
Returns 3
Implementation (pre-defined functions):
Find the Remainder Code
13 mod 2
Returns 1
Implementation:
What are substring functions?
Functions that manipulate a whole string or extract a number of characters from a string, depending on the function
What are the substring functions?
4
- Left
- Right
- Mid
- Uppercase
Implementation (sub-string functions):
Left Code
Word = “Hello!”
MsgBox(Microsoft.VisualBasic.Left(VARIABLE, CHAR NUM))
Returns H
Implementation (sub-string functions):
Right Code
Word = “Hello!”
MsgBox(Microsoft.VisualBasic.Right(VARIABLE, CHAR NUM))
Returns !
Implementation (sub-string functions):
Mid Code
Word = “Hello!”
MsgBox(Microsoft.VisualBasic.Mid(VARIABLE, CHAR NUM))
Returns ll
Implementation (sub-string functions):
Uppercase Code
Word = “Hello!”
MsgBox(UCase(word))
Returns HELLO!
Implementation:
What is a sequential file used for?
To hold the data in a set sequence/order
Implementation (sequential files):
What are the file operations?
5
- Create
- Open
- Close
- Read
- Write
Development Methodologies:
What are the development methodologies?
2
- Iterative
- Agile
Development Methodologies:
What does the iterative process involve?
2
- Programmers move from stage to stage in order, only revisiting stages where necessary and a problem is discovered
- It is a very structured process and clients are only communicated with at the beginning and end of development
What does the agile process involve?
2
- Uses ‘sprints’ which are periods of planned analysis, design, implementation and testing of a particular aspect of software
- It is a flexible process that is based on team work and daily communicated which is suited to small, short term projects rather than larger scale projects
Development Methodologies:
Iterative Strengths
4
- Rigid planning structure
- Good for large teams
- Helps to plan and track large software projects
- Clear agreement on outcomes at start of project
Development Methodologies:
Iterative Weaknesses
4
- Very rigid approach does not deal well with mid-project changes
- Can over-complicate simple projects
- Unidentified issues at the analysis stage can be time-consuming and costly to gix
- Little involvement of client after analysis
Development Methodologies:
Agile Strengths
4
- Copes well with little cumulative changes as the project progresses
- Good for small scale projects like most apps
- Ongoing involvement of client allows changes to be agreed quickly
- Changes cause less delay or can be tackled in the next version
Development Methodologies:
Agile Weaknesses
4
- Works best with small teams
- Needs close version control and tracking of changes
- Can be difficult to determine the full scope of the project in the early stages
- Usually no legally binding agreement at the start
Testing:
Reasons for Testing
3
- Identify errors
- Show that all functional requirements have been met
- Ensure efficient and maintainable code
Testing:
Test Data Types
- Normal
- Extreme
- Exceptional
Testing:
Error Types Causing Program to Crash
2
- Syntax
- Execution / Run-Time
Testing:
Error Type Causing Unexpected Result
Logic
Testing:
Syntax Error Examples
2
- Spelling mistakes
- Mistake in the programming language rules
Testing:
Execution Error Examples
4
- Dividing by 0
- Using an array index value that doesn’t exist
- Writing to a file that doesn’t exist
- Trying to read/write beyond the end of a file
Testing:
Logic Error Examples
3
- Using the wrong variable
- Using the wrong logic operator (and/or/not)
- Using the wrong conditional logic ( < > )
Testing:
What is a dry run?
2
- When a programmer works through the program on paper following the code line by line to pick up logic errors
- Often used with trace table
Testing:
What is a trace table?
Consists of the variables used in a specific programmer and allows the developer to track the values being stored at different points throughout the program
Testing:
What is a breakpoint?
2
- A user-defined point in the program where the code will stop executing, and the value of variables can be inspected to ensure they are correct
- Often used with trace tables
Testing:
What is a watchpoint?
2
- A point placed on a specific variable to track any changes in value, program will stop when the value of the variable changes
- Used with breakpoints to look at the value of only specific variables when a breakpoint is triggered
Design:
What is top down, stepwise refinement?
2
- Any main steps from the design are known as the top down design
- These main steps are usually broken down further into step by step instructions known as stepwise refinements, which helps the programmer break down the program into manageable modules
Design:
What are the benefits of a modular solution?
3
- Different programmers can implement different parts of the design
- Each part of the design can be tested seperately
- Design shows the main process clearly
Design:
What does a data flow do?
Shows the information that will flow in and out of sub-programs
Design:
What are the design techniques?
3
- Psuedocode
- Structure Diagram
- Wireframe
Design:
Pseudocode Usage
Design:
Structure Diagram Usage
Design:
Wireframe Usage
Evaluation:
What criteria is evaluated in a program?
5
- Fitness for purpose
- Efficient use of coding constructs
- Usability
- Maintainability
- Robustness
Evaluation:
Fitness for purpose
Evaluation:
Efficient use of coding constructs
Evaluation:
Usability
Evaluation:
Maintainability
Evaluation:
Robustness
Analysis:
What is the role of a systems analyst?
2
- Meeting with the client and discussing their specific needs
- Creating a detailed project proposal
Analysis:
What is the software specification?
Defined extent of the software and a legal contract between the client and the developers
Analysis:
What is the role of developers in software specifications?
Legally obliged to create the specified software
Analysis:
What is the role of a client in software specifications
Legally obliged to pay for the software
Analysis:
What should analysis include?
4
- Purpose: a general description of the purpose of the software
- Scope: a list of deliverables that the project will hand over to the client / user
- Boundaries: the limits that define what is in the project and what is not
- Functional Requirements: features and functions that must be delivered by the systems in terms of inputs, processes and outputs
