Programming Techniques- S11

Question 1

Algorithm

Answer 1

is a set of rules or a sequence of steps specifying how to solve a problem.

Question 2

Pseudocode

Answer 2

tool for developing algorithms, and is between English and program statements.

Question 3

Indentation

Answer 3

Statements shifted to the right that are contained within a block

Question 4

Initialisation

Answer 4

setting variables to appropriate values at the beginning of a program to ensure there is not a value already assigned to it.

Question 5

Variables

Answer 5

A name in memory used to store a value with can change during execution.

Question 6

Constant Variables

Answer 6

a value that cannot be altered by the program during normal execution. E.g pi=3.14159265

Question 7

Why are Constant Variables used

Answer 7

to make the programs easier to understand, easier to change the value of variable throughout the program and to make sure a programmer doesn’t accidentally change its value.`

Question 8

Give Data Types

Answer 8

Integer, String, Float, Boolean, Character, Date

Question 9

Sequences

Answer 9

Two or more statements following each other.

Question 10

Selection

Answer 10

When there is a condition that needs to be met in order for certain statements to be executed.

Question 11

Pseudocode for a switch case

Answer 11

switch entry: 
case “A”: print(“You selected A”) 
case “B”:1 print(“You selected B”) 
default: print(“Unrecognised selection”)
endswitch

Question 12

Iteration

Answer 12

An iteration is a repetition so a loop.

Question 13

Give examples of Iteration

Answer 13

While… End While
For count… Next count
for i… next i
Repeat… until

Question 14

Subroutines

Answer 14

a named block of code which performs a specific task within the program.

Question 15

Subroutines are good to use because

Answer 15

Easier to understand
Easier to debug
Can be reused
Each module can be tested independently
Work is divided between team, so saves time
Each member can work on their expertise

Question 16

Function

Answer 16

A named subroutine that returns a value, called inline, and performs a specific task.

Question 17

Procedure

Answer 17

A named subroutine that performs a specific task but does not return a value.

Question 18

parameter by reference

Answer 18

a parameter can be changed in the subroutine and will then change the value of variable which has been passed in. (only used in procedures)

Question 19

parameter by value

Answer 19

is when the value is passed to subroutine and is treated as a local variable. Changing the parameter inside the subroutine does not affect the value outside the subroutine.

Question 20

Global variable

Answer 20

are used in the main program and can be used anywhere in the program including within subroutines.

Question 21

Local variable

Answer 21

are variables used in a subroutine and are self-contained.

Question 22

Modular design/programming

Answer 22

When the program is divided into separate self-contained modules or tasks, which can be written and tested individually. Modules can be subdivided further into smaller modules.

Question 23

Advantages of modular design

Answer 23

Easy to understand
Can be reused
Reduced development time
Modules can be shared between programmers
Easier to maintain/debug

Question 24

IDE (Integrated Development Environment)

Answer 24

A set of tools put all in one program and helps you write code more easily.

Question 25

Give some examples of what IDE does

Answer 25

debugger, breakpoints, watch, stepper, crash dump, search for functions, compiles, autofils functions

Question 26

Whats a breakpoint

Answer 26

program stops on that line and you can check the value assigned to a variable

Question 27

Whats a watch

Answer 27

so value of a variable is displayed when it changes

Question 28

Whats a stepper

Answer 28

one line is performed at a time.

Question 29

Whats a crash dump

Answer 29

when the program stops it tells you the data and the state everything is in

Question 30

Test data

Answer 30

Testing is to try and uncover undetected errors. Test data needs test the outcome for any user input. Stat what test to use, the purpose, the expected result and actual result.

Question 31

Normal data

Answer 31

data is within the range and is what you would expect would work

Question 32

Valid data

Answer 32

Input is correct and allowed in the programe

Question 33

Invalid data

Answer 33

Input is incorrect and not allowed by the computer

Question 34

Boundary data

Answer 34

data at the ends of the expected range

Question 35

Erroneous data

Answer 35

just outside the range

Question 36

Extreme data

Answer 36

Goes way beyond boundary

Question 37

Logic error

Answer 37

The program compiles but does not give the expected output and does not do what it should.

Question 38

Syntax error

Answer 38

The code does not follow the rules of the language. The program will not compile or run.

Question 39

Run time error

Answer 39

When the program doesn’t stop. E.g 0/ a number

Question 40

BODMAS

Answer 40

an acronym that describes the order priority given to mathematical operations.

Question 41

Operator Precedence

Answer 41

The default order in which operations in an expression are carried out.

Question 42

Why is Installation needed

Answer 42

To use camera
Copied onto device so it can be accessed by the OS quicker
To configure initial settings
So the user can access it through an icon (on a phone)

Question 43

Parameter

Answer 43

An item of data that is passed to a subroutine and used as a variable within the subroutine.