PSPD

Question 1

What are the steps in problem solving?

Answer 1

1. Define the problem
2. Analyze the problem
3. Select the most efficient solution
4. Develop an algorithm to solve the problem
5. Test and validate the solution

Question 2

What is an algorithm?

Answer 2

A design of a set of instructions that must be followed when solving a problem

Question 3

What is a program?

Answer 3

A method or set of instructions when solving a problem and written in a programming language.

Question 4

What are some characteristics of an algorithm?

Answer 4

Clear and unambiguos- algorthyms must me clear and distint and lead to a single conclusion
Well defined output- must me clear on what output will be produced and be well defined
sequential- must be step by step
language independent- must be simple and in a readable manner.
Finiteness- must be finite and not result in infinite loops or anything similar.

Question 5

What are the 3 control structures of an algorithm?

Answer 5

Sequencing
Selection
Iteration/looping

Question 6

What is sequencing?

Answer 6

Accepting one statement in a perfect order on after the other from start to stop

Question 7

What is selection?

Answer 7

The decision making process and evaluate the condition if its true and the alternatives otherwise.

Question 8

What is iteration/looping?

Answer 8

A block of statements being done over and over until a particular value is reached or over a set amount of time.

Question 9

What are the words associated with looping?

Answer 9

For, while, repeat

Question 10

What is a pseudocode?

Answer 10

The use of natural language contructs modeled to look like statements in many programming language.

Question 11

what are the types of statements?

Answer 11

Input
Output
Processing

Question 12

What is the input statement?

Answer 12

requires an action by the user to type in instructions.

Question 13

What is the output?

Answer 13

Prints information on the screen

Question 14

What is the processing statement?

Answer 14

carries out calculation or assignments that require turning data to information.

Question 15

What is a characteristic of a pseudocode?

Answer 15

Pseudocodes can be modular- large tasks can be subdivided into smaller tasks and can be put together to form the complete program.

Question 16

What are some advantages of a psudocode?

Answer 16

indepent of a particular language- programmers from a different language can understand
programmers dont have to worry about synatx
lay people can validate the logic because its easy to understand.

Question 17

What are disadvantages of pseudocodes?

Answer 17

Its very detailed so it requires alot of concentration.
Due to its loose standards solutions can be depicted in mny ways by different people.

Question 18

What is a flowchart?

Answer 18

A way of visually representing actions in a system and the sequence in which they are performed.

Question 19

What is an advantage of flowcharts?

Answer 19

A better way of communicating the logic especially to lay people because of their visual nature.

Question 20

What is a disadvantage of a flowchart?

Answer 20

It can get very big when the program is long and complex.

Question 21

What are the storage types?

Answer 21

Variables, constants and literals

Question 22

what is a variable?

Answer 22

names associated with values in memory that can change during the program

Question 23

what is a constant

Answer 23

a constant stores a value that once its set it cannot be changed

Question 24

What is a literal?

Answer 24

a notation representing a fixed value .

Question 25

What are the data types?

Answer 25

Integers
reals
boolean
characters
strings

Question 26

What are defining diagrams?

Answer 26

used to break down the problem and figure out the 3 parts of the solution. done in the first step of problem soolving.