Programming

Question 1

What is a variable?

Answer 1

Component that allows us to store data

Question 2

What are the data types, and what do they store?

5

Answer 2

• String: Stores texts and numbers
• Char: Stores single characters
• Integer: Stores negative & positive whole numbers
• Single/Real: Stores negative & positive decimal numbers
• Boolean: Stores either true or false

Question 3

What is an input?

Answer 3

Data that is put into the program

Question 4

What is a process?

Answer 4

A calculation or evaluation within the program

Question 5

What is an output?

Answer 5

Data that is displayed to the user

Question 6

What is the purpose of a logical operator?

Answer 6

To join two or more conditions together to make a complex condition

Question 7

What are the logical operators and their functions?

Answer 7

• AND: Both conditions must be true for the complex condition to be evaluated as true
• OR: Either condition must be true for the complex condition to be evaluated as true
• NOT: Inverts a true to a false and a false to a true

Question 8

What is iteration?

Answer 8

When a section of code is executed several times, which makes the program more efficient and error free.

Question 9

What are the two types of iteration?

Answer 9

Fixed loop & Conditional Loop

Question 10

What are the two types of conditional loops and their functions?

Answer 10

• Do while: used when there is a condition that is true
• Do until: used when we start with the code that repeats

Question 11

What are the 6 stages of development?

Answer 11

• Analysis
• Design
• Implementation
• Testing
• Documentation
• Evaluation

Question 12

Stages of Development

What is the iterative process?

Answer 12

When a process is repeated, such as revisiting an earlier stage when encountering a problem

Question 13

Stage 1:

Describe the analysis stage

Answer 13

During the analysis stage, you create a document called the software specification, which lists all the functional requirements of the program (inputs, processes and outputs)

Question 14

Stage 2:

Describe the design stage

Answer 14

During the design stage, one of three design methods is used as well as the user interface being designed so that it is comfortable to use. Program should be designed efficiently.

Question 15

What are the three design techniques used and their features?

Answer 15

• Psuedocode: human readable design method used to write out inputs, processes, outputs and refinements before they are coded
• Structure diagram: graphical design method describing the steps of a program, read top to bottom and left to right
• Flow chart: graphical design method describing the steps of a program, read from top to bottom

Question 16

Stage 3:

Describe the implementation stage

Answer 16

During the implementation stage, the design is translated into code and written in the appropriate programming language

Question 17

Stage 4:

Describe the testing stage

Answer 17

During the testing stage, the program is tested whilst it is being written and after. A set of test data is used and put into a recorded table.

Question 18

Stage 5:

Describe the documentation stage

Answer 18

During the documentation stage, a record is kept of important information about the program including:
* Software specification
* Design notation
* Listing of all code
* Test table

Question 19

Stage 6:

Describe the evaluation stage

Answer 19

During the evaluation stage, we make sure that the code is efficient and useable

Question 20

What is an array?

Answer 20

A data structure which allows multiple pieces of data to be stored in an index

Question 21

What is string concatenation?

Answer 21

When two or more strings are added together - can be done with + or & symbols

Question 22

What is a predefined function?

Answer 22

A piece of reusable code that performs a function that has already been defined

Question 23

What are the predefined functions and their purposes?

Answer 23

• Random: selects a random number between two numbers selected by the programmer
• Round: will round a number up or down depending on it’s decimal place / numbers.
• Length: will return the number of characters in a string or how many items are being stored in an array

Question 24

What is a standard algorithm?

Answer 24

A solution to common problems in programming

Question 25

What are the standard algorithms and their functions?

Answer 25

• Input validation: used to check that input is valid and won’t break the program, makes it robust
• Running total: used to continually add numbers to a total variable in a loop
• Traversing an array: used to travel through an array and access the data in each index to carry out a process

Question 26

What are test tables?

Answer 26

Used to record test data, expected results and the actual results

Question 27

What are the three types of data used in test tables and their definitions?

Answer 27

• Normal: within limits of program
• Extreme: on the edge of the limits
• Exceptional: data not within the limits or wrong data type

Question 28

What are the three types of errors and their definition?

Answer 28

• Logic: error in a condition, program will still run but may return an unexpected output
• Execution: where the program does not work due to an issue such as trying to divide by 0 or a missing file
• Syntax: usually a spelling error or grammar mistake

Question 29

What is evaluated in a program?

Answer 29

• Fit for purpose
• Efficient use of coding constructs
• Robustness
• Readability

Question 30

What is meant by fit for purpose?

Answer 30

Does the code meet the requirements set out in the analysis stage, and if not why?

Question 31

What is meant by efficient use of coding constructs?

Answer 31

Have loops, if statements and arrays been used if applicable?

Question 32

What is meant by robustness?

Answer 32

Can the program handle incorrect data input, and does it make use of input validation?

Question 33

What is meant by readability?

Answer 33

In order for code to be readable it should include:
* Internal comments
* Meaningful identifiers
* Indentation
* White space