Prelim 1

Question 1

Argument

Answer 1

An argument is an expression that appears within the parentheses of a function call.

Question 2

Assert statement

Answer 2

<assert> <boolean-expression>. If the boolean expression is true, the statement does nothing. If it is false, the expression produces an error and the program stops running.
</boolean-expression></assert>

Question 3

Assignment statement

Answer 3

<variable> = <expression>. If the variable on the left hand side does not exist yet, it is created and stores the value of the expression inside. If the variable does exist, it replaces the old value stored inside the variable with the value of the expression.
</expression></variable>

Question 4

Attribute

Answer 4

A variable that is stored inside an object. Attributes typically have invariants, rules specifying how they can be modified.

Question 5

Call Frame

Answer 5

A formal representation of what Python uses when you execute a function call. It contains the name of the function, parameters, local variables and a counter.

Question 6

Call Stack

Answer 6

All of the call frames of the currently executing function call

Question 7

Class

Answer 7

Any type that is not built-in to python

Question 8

Constructor

Answer 8

A function that creates a mutable object. It puts the object in heap space and returns the name of the object so you can store it in a variable.

Question 9

Expression

Answer 9

Python code that produces a value. They must be put inside a statement.

Question 10

Function

Answer 10

A parameterized sequence of statements that perform a task.

Question 11

Fruitful Function

Answer 11

A function that returns a value.

Question 12

Function Call

Answer 12

Expression that executes a function body

Question 13

Function Header

Answer 13

The first line of a function definition. It includes the keyword def, name of function, parameters within parentheses (if appropriate), and a colon.

Question 14

Global Space

Answer 14

Area of memory that stores variables defined outside the body of a function.

Question 15

Heap Space

Answer 15

Area of memory that stores mutable objects.

Question 16

Literal

Answer 16

An expression that, when evaluated, evaluates to itself. An expression that is also a value

Question 17

Method

Answer 17

A function that is stored inside of an object

Question 18

Object

Answer 18

A (mutable) object is a value whose type is a class. Objects typically contain attributes and have methods.

Question 19

Procedure

Answer 19

A function that does not return a value

Question 20

Scope

Answer 20

The set of places in which a variable can be referenced

Question 21

Specification

Answer 21

A description of what a function should do. Includes preconditions on arguments and return value of function if it is a fruitful function.

Question 22

Statement

Answer 22

A command for Python to do something. There are 5 types: try-except, assert, assignment, conditional, and return.

Question 23

Type

Answer 23

A set of values and the operations on them.

Question 24

Variable

Answer 24

A named box containing a value.

Question 25

Parameter

Answer 25

A variable within the parentheses of a function header.

Question 26

Local variable

Answer 26

A variable which is not a parameter, but which is assigned in the body of a function.

Question 27

Global variable

Answer 27

A variable which is assigned inside of module, but outside the body or header of a function.