Part 5, Modular Programming

Question 1

what is modular programming also known as

Answer 1

modular programming is also known as component based programming

Question 2

explain what modular programming is

Answer 2

modular programming means splitting a program up into smaller modules or components

Question 3

name four main benefits of modular programming

Answer 3

1. easier to create
2. less error prone
3. readability
4. reusability (in same or external program)

Question 4

why are modular programs easier to create

Answer 4

modular programs are easier to create because they can be worked on in small independent sections. ultimately these “sections” or components will make up a tiny piece of the program

Question 5

why are modular programs less prone to error

Answer 5

modular programs are less prone to error because each component can be created and tested one piece at a time this greatly reduces bugs being created within the program.

modular programs also have the benefit of aiding in debugging because each component can be tested individually

Question 6

why are modular programs easier to understand

Answer 6

because modular programs are broken up into smaller subtasks this makes reading the code easier. and following the stream of execution much more obvious

Question 7

what are three main rules for a module when implementing modular programming

Answer 7

1. a module should have a specific and meaningful task
2. the name of the module should reflect what the module does
3. modules should be commented

Question 8

what five pieces of information might be given in a modules comment/specification

Answer 8

1. explain what the module does
2. explain how its inputs are used
3. explain any variables it sets
4. give information of any dependencies it has
5. give an example of it in action

Question 9

what is a pre condition

Answer 9

a pre condition is a condition that must be met in order for a module to operate correctly

this must be mentioned within its specification

Question 10

“number_input must be in numbers_list”

is written within a modules comments and is part of its specification

what is this an example of

Answer 10

“number_input must be in numbers_list”

is an example of a modules pre condition

Question 11

your told to factor out a chunk of code within your program

what does the term “factor out” mean

Answer 11

“factor out” means taking a block of code out of the main script and creating a separate subtask/module for it. without changing what the script does

Question 12

what is meant by re factoring code

Answer 12

re factoring code means rewriting/restructuring code to make it simpler to read or more efficient without changing what the program does

Question 13

what does the term monolithic mean

Answer 13

monolithic is a term used to describe code that is written in a non modular fashion

this means the code may all be written within one script

Question 14

what are 5 possible drawbacks of monolithic code

Answer 14

monolithic code can be

1. lengthy
2. complicated
3. prone to errors
4. harder to code
5. low readability

Question 15

when designing the algorithm from the specification you see that modular programming may be helpful

how can you show that you will be using modular programming within the algorithm

Answer 15

when you spot a subtask that can be a module

1. mark the subtask {subtask 1} for example
2. write out the specification for the subtask in a separate box
3. keep the subtask marked in main algorithm with an arrow pointing to its boxed specification

Question 16

your implementing your algorithm using the “bottom-up approach”

what does this mean

Answer 16

when implementing your algorithm “bottom-up approach” means to build the components that have no dependencies first. then build components with dependencies only when their dependencies have been built

Question 17

what is an example of a module having a dependency

Answer 17

when a module relies on data created by another module this means it has a dependency on that module

as a rule if a module is passed data or relies on data to work then it has a dependency and the modules creating the data should be built first
hence why there is a bottom-up approach

Question 18

your ready for testing and your program contains many components what is the first stage of testing your program

Answer 18

if your program contains many components then each component should be tested individually before testing the program as a whole

Question 19

when testing a component name four things to remember

Answer 19

1. test different inputs
2. test for expected outputs
3. check it conforms to its specification
4. include variable names within the test table