Paper 2: Programming Key Terms and Computational Thinking Flashcards
What is an algorithm?
An algorithm is a list of rules to follow in order to complete a task or solve a problem. The steps in an algorithm need to be in the right order.
Define algorithmic thinking.
Working out the steps needed to solve a problem and what order they need to be completed.
What is decomposition in computational thinking?
Decomposition is the process of breaking a large problem down into a series of smaller, more manageable tasks.
What does abstraction mean in computational thinking?
Abstraction filters out the details that are not important, allowing us to create a general idea of what a problem is and how to solve it by focusing only on the key issues.
What is a sequence in programming constructs?
A set of steps one after the other.
What is meant by selection in programming?
A decision structure, e.g., if statement.
Define iteration in programming.
Repetition, such as for or while loop.
What is input sanitisation?
The process of removing unwanted characters before passing data into a program.
What is validation in programming?
Checking data input by the user meets specific criteria/formatting before processing.
What does verification involve?
Checking data against a second source to make sure it is correct.
What is a syntax error?
An error where the code will not run due to spelling mistakes, punctuation missing, or missing key terms.
What is a logical error?
An error where the code runs, but the outcome is wrong, and the code does not perform as it should.
What does DIV or (//) represent in programming?
Integer division that removes any decimal places.
What does MOD/Modulo or (%) do?
Gives the remainder of any division.
What is the exponent operator (^ or **) used for?
To raise a number to the power of another number.
Define a variable in programming.
A value stored in memory that can change while the program is running.
What is a constant in programming?
A value that does not change while the program is running and is assigned when the program is designed.
What is a global variable?
A variable that can be accessed both within the main program and inside functions and procedures.
What is an array?
Like a variable but can store multiple values under the same heading, all data must be of the same data type.
Define data type in programming.
How the data is stored in a program, e.g., Integer, String, Float/Real, or Boolean.
What is casting in programming?
Changing the data type of a value.
What does concatenation mean?
Joining two strings together.
What is a subprogram?
Using a function or a procedure to break the code into smaller, self-contained sections.
What is the difference between a function and a procedure?
A function returns a value, while a procedure does not.
What is a parameter in programming?
A piece of data that can be ‘passed into’ a subroutine when it is called.
