Programming Flashcards
What is a constant?
value that stays the same throughout the running of the program.
What is a variable?
A name/symbol which represents a value in a
program and .points to a memory location: A value that changes during the programs execution.
What is a sequence?
one instruction after another
What is a selection?
A condition is used to decide whether code should be executed (if/case)
What is an iteration?
A process or sequence that is repeated usually in the form of a loop (for/loop/repeat)
code is executed repeatedly
What are two examples of low level language?
assembly language and machine code
A translator is needed to…
converts high-level languages into machine code. (compilers and interpreters)
What does an IF/THEN/ELSE statement do?
allows you to select an option from several options
What does a CASE statement do?
for coding multiple choices in a program
What is an algorithm?
a process or set of rules to be followed to complete a task e.g. flow charts or pseudocode
What is high level code?
code which is close to human languages e.g. python
What is Machine code?
a language directly understood by the CPU, instructions are represented by a string of bits
What is an interpreter and a compiler?
converts high level code into machine code
What is an assembler?
coverts assembly language into machine code
What is a for loop?
repeats a group of steps a specified number of times
What is a repeat loop?
controlled by condition at the end of the loop
What is a while loop?
controlled by a condition at the start of the loop
What is the difference between a string and a character data type?
- string contains multiple characters
What is a real(float) number?
a number with a decimal point
What is a boolean data type?
a true/false yes/no 0/1 data type
What is a syntax error?
a problem with the language that the translators do not understand e.g. spelling
What is a logical error?
The program is written to do something other than what the programmer intended
e.g. an infinate loop, division by 0 or a wrong data type
What is integrated development environment (IDE)?
a software package that helps you write code more easily
e.g. colour coding key words and numbering lines
What is run-time environment?
provides the screen +feedback when you try to run a program
