programming techniques Flashcards
IDE
software which allows the user to enter, edit, compile/interpret and run programs
IDE - benefits
add line numbers automatically indent auto-complete commands (un)comment regions error reports
IDEs debugging: breakpoint
set a breakpoint in the program which will cause it to stop at that line
IDEs debugging: watch
set a watch on a variableso its value is outputted each time it’s changed
IDEs debugging: step through
step through the program line by line
IDEs debugging: tracing
trace the execution of a program
algorithm
a sequence of instructions that can be followed to solve a problem
pseudocode
a semi-english programming shorthand used to aid in algorithm design
identifier
a name that points to a memory locatoin
assignment
assigning a value to the memory location
variable
a storage location who’s value can change during execution
constant
a storage location who’s value can’t change during execution
constants - benefits
reduce the risk of errors by reducing access to the memory location
selection
controls which statements are run based on whether a condition is met
IF
program flow is controlled by evaluating a boolean condition
SWITCH/CASE
used to make it easier to code multiple condition checks
interation
a sequence of instruction is repeated multiple times making the program more efficient
WHILE
condition is tested upon entry of the loop, statements wont run if the condition is initially false
DO UNTIL
condition is tested upon exit of the loop, statements will run once if the condition is initially false
infinite loops - uses
2d games, gathering sensor data
FOR
used to repeat a block of statements a specified number of times
subroutine
a sequence of instructions that perform a specific task
procedure
subroutine that doesn’t return a value
function
subroutine that returns value(s)
parameters
variable used in a subroutine to refer to one of the pieces of data provided as input to the subroutine
arguments
value passed to the parameter
passing by value
the value of the arguments in the calling statement is copied to the variable parameter
changes to parameters don’t affect corresponding arguments
passing by reference
the address of the arguments is passed to the parameters
any changes to the parameters will affect corresponding arguments
local variable
can only be accessed in the subroutine it’s defined in
global variable
defined in the main program and can be accessed from anywhere
local variable - advantages
subroutines can be independent and reused
no chance of accidental changes
modular programming
breaking tasks into subtasks until each module performs a single function
modular programming - advantages
programs are more easily and quickly written
large programs are broken down thus easier to manage
each module can be individually tested
modules can be reused
larger programs are easier to debug/maintain
recursion (essential charactersistics)
stopping condition which must be reached after a finite number of calls (if not stack overflow will occur)
routine calls itself for input values outside of the stopping condition
recursion (how)
each time a subroutine is called, the return address, parameters and local variables are pushed onto the stack
call stack
every time a subroutine is called the return address is put on the call stack if this is done too many times the stack will overflow the max memory capacity
class
a template for an object which defines its attributes and methods
attributes
normally private, to ensue attributes can’t be changed without executing a method
methoeds
generally public
encapsulation
wraps the attributes and methods in the class definition, hiding details of the implementation from the user
object
an instance of a class
constructor
a method used to create a new object in a class
instantiation
creating an instance of an object
inheritance
ability to definite a child class which inherits the attributes and methods of a parent class
polymorphism
the ability of a programming language to process objects differently depending on their class
OOP advantages
code reuse, encapsulation, software maintenance
code reuse (OOP)
classes created in one program can easily be saved in a library and reused in other programs –> faster development
encapsulation reducing complexity (OOP)
once an object is created its not necessary to know how its methods are implemented
attributes can be hidden from the user preventing accidental changes
software maintenance
object oriented programs are easier to modify and maintain
instance method pseudocode
public procedure new(parameter)
atr = prameter
endprocedure
