Paper 4

Question 1

Binary search

Answer 1

Reprated checking of the middle item in an ordered search list and discarding the half of the list which does not contain the search item.

Question 2

Abstract data type

Answer 2

A collection of data eith associated operations.

Question 3

Node

Answer 3

Element of a list

Question 4

Pointer

Answer 4

A variable that stores the address of the node it points to.

Question 5

Null pointer

Answer 5

A pointer that does not point at anything.

Question 6

Start pointer

Answer 6

A variable that stores the address of the first element of a linked list.

Question 7

Decision table

Answer 7

A precise way of modelling logic

Question 8

Finite State Machine (FSM)

Answer 8

A machine that consists of a fixed set of possible states with a set of inputs that change the state and a set of possible outputs.

Question 9

State-transition table

Answer 9

A table that gives information about the states of an FSM.

Question 10

State-transition diagram

Answer 10

A diagram that describes the behaviour of an FSM.

Question 11

Recursive routine

Answer 11

A function or procedure defined in terms of itself.

Question 12

Base case

Answer 12

An explicit solution to a recursive function.

Question 13

General case

Answer 13

A definition of a recursive function in terms of itself.

Question 14

Random file

Answer 14

A file that stores records at specific addresses that can be accessed directly.

Question 15

Encapsulation

Answer 15

Combining data and subroutines into a class.

Question 16

Class

Answer 16

A type that combines a record with the methods that operate on the properties in the record.

Question 17

Attributes

Answer 17

The data items of a class.

Question 18

Methods

Answer 18

The subroutines of a class.

Question 19

Object

Answer 19

An instance of a class.

Question 20

Constructor

Answer 20

A special type of method that is called to create a new object and initialise its attributes.

Question 21

Inheritance

Answer 21

All attributes and methods of the base class are copied to the subclass.

Question 22

Abstract class

Answer 22

A base class that is never used to create objects directly.

Question 23

Polymorphism

Answer 23

The method behaves differently for different classes in the hierarchy.

Question 24

Containment

Answer 24

A relationship in which one class has a component that is of another class type.

Question 25

Program generator

Answer 25

A computer program that can be used to create other computer programs.

Question 26

Program library

Answer 26

A collection of pre-compiled routines or modules that a program can use.

Question 27

Integration testing

Answer 27

Individually tested modules are joined into one program and testes to ensure the modules interact correctly.

Question 28

Alpha testing

Answer 28

Testing of software in-house by dedicated testers.

Question 29

Acceptance testing

Answer 29

Testing of software by customers before sign-off.

Question 30

Beta testing

Answer 30

Testing of software by a limited number of chosen users before general release.

Question 31

Deliverable

Answer 31

The result of an activity, such as a document or a report.

Question 32

Milestone

Answer 32

A scheduled event signifying the completion or submission of a deliverable.

Question 33

Critical path

Answer 33

The longest possible continuous pathway from Start to Finish.