Programming languages + IDE's

Question 1

What is machine code

Answer 1

A low level code, represented in either binary or hex. It is the language of instructions which tell the computer what to do

Question 2

What does a high level programming language mean

Answer 2

Languages which are close to spoken and written language of the programmer

Question 3

Example of a high level programming language

Answer 3

Python, java, C++

Question 4

Benefits of a high level programming language

Answer 4

• Easy for programmers to understand
• Contains words from natural language / quicker to type

Question 5

What is source code

Answer 5

Any program written in a high level programming language
It must be translated into machine code before the computer can understand and execute it

Question 6

What does a low level programming language mean

Answer 6

Languages that sit close to the computers instruction set

Question 7

Examples of low level programming language

Answer 7

1. Machine code
2. Assembly language

Question 8

What is machine code

Answer 8

The instructions that a processor can understand and act upon

Question 9

Advantages of using machine code

Answer 9

• Allows programmers to do things which but not be able to be done in a high level programming language
• they can build their own complex sentences or keep programs short and simple

Question 10

Disadvantages of using machine code

Answer 10

• Very difficult to write in, understand and debug as it consists of binary or hexadecimal

Question 11

What is assembly code

Answer 11

Uses mnemonics, each mnemonic corresponds with a machine code instruction.
It is known as a one-to-one language

Question 12

Why is assembly code better than machine code

Answer 12

Mnemonics are much easier to understand and debug, gives programmers a simpler way of controlling a computer

Question 13

Advantages of assembly code

Answer 13

• Mnemonics are quicker to write than binary or hex and easier to spot mistakes

Question 14

What must source code be translated into so the computer can understand it

Answer 14

Object code

Question 15

What are the 3 types of translators

Answer 15

• Compliers
• Interpreters
• Assemblers

Question 16

What does a complier do

Answer 16

Takes the source code as a whole and translates it into object code all in one go

Question 17

Advantages of compliers

Answer 17

• Complied programs run very quickly as they have already been translated
• Compliers optimise code, they run quicker and take up less memory space

Question 18

Disadvantages of compliers

Answer 18

• Compliers do not usually spot errors
• the source code must be re-complied when the programmer makes changes
• source code complied on one platform will not run on another

Question 19

What does an interpreter do

Answer 19

Translates source code into object code one instruction at a time

Question 20

Advantages of an interpreter

Answer 20

• Instructions are executed as soon as they are interpreted
• Require less available memory
• Errors can be quickly spotted

Question 21

Disadvantages of an interpreter

Answer 21

• Run more slowly as the processor has to wait for each instruction to be translated before it can be executed
• Interpreters do not optimise code

Question 22

What is an assemblier

Answer 22

Translates assembly languages into machine code

Question 23

What is an integrated development environment

Answer 23

A suite of tools that helps a programmer to write error free, maintainable code

Question 24

What tools exist to help the programmer write clear, maintainable code

Answer 24

• editors
• debugging tools
• runtime environments
• auto-indentations
• interpreters

Question 25

What is an editor in an IDE

Answer 25

Software which allows programmers to write and edit code, offers facilities such as:
- colour coding
- auto-correct
- auto-indent
these tools help improve the readability of the code, but do not help identify errors

Question 26

What is a runtime environment in an IDE

Answer 26

A special software which allows a program to run on a computer even if it is not designed to run on it
- means the programmer can concentrate on program development rather than understanding how different computer systems actually work

Question 27

What do debugging tools do on an IDE

Answer 27

Help programmers to locate and fix errors
- Error taping, pinpointing exactly which line in a program an error has occurred
- Variable tracing, lets the programmer see the value of a variable changing, lets them check if it is functioning as expected
- Breakpoints, allow the program to be stopped at predetermined points