SLR24

Question 1

What is abstraction in computing?

Answer 1

Abstraction is the process of separating ideas from specific instances of those ideas in work. It helps maximize the chance of solving a problem by letting us separate the components and deciding which matter.

Question 2

What is an abstract model?

Answer 2

An abstract model is any model of a system that has been taken from or based on a real life situation or problem.

Question 3

What is recursion in programming?

Answer 3

Recursion is an advanced programming construct where a block of code (often a function) calls itself. It requires a terminating condition.

Question 4

What are functions in programming?

Answer 4

A function is a block of code given a unique identifiable name. It can take parameters and return a value.

Question 5

What are parameters in programming?

Answer 5

Parameters are data structures passed into a procedure or function when they are called.

Question 6

What is the difference between passing by value and passing by reference?

Answer 6

Passing by value means a copy of the data is used within the subprogram. Passing by reference means the location (in memory) of the variable is used, and changes affect the variable in the main program.

Question 7

What is concurrent processing?

Answer 7

Concurrent processing is when more than one thing is happening at the same time in the design or programming of a system.

Question 8

What is pipelining in computing?

Answer 8

Pipelining is when multiple machine instructions are decoded or processed in parallel, reducing processing time.

Question 9

What is decomposition in problem-solving?

Answer 9

Decomposition involves breaking down a large problem into smaller parts that are easier to solve.

Question 10

What is object-oriented programming?

Answer 10

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is a programming paradigm based on the concept of objects which interact with one another. Example: Java.

Question 11

What are the elements of computational thinking?

Answer 11

Elements of computational thinking include: compatibility, speed, human-computer collaboration, and recognizing problems that can be solved algorithmically.

Question 12

What is problem recognition?

Answer 12

Problem recognition involves recognizing a problem and using computational and intuitive methods to come up with a solution.

Question 13

What is backtracking?

Answer 13

Backtracking is an algorithmic approach where partial solutions to a problem are built up, and if a solution fails, the search begins at the last potentially successful point.

Question 14

What is data mining?

Answer 14

Data mining involves searching through large datasets for relationships and facts not immediately obvious. Example: supermarket loyalty card schemes.

Question 15

What makes data mining possible?

Answer 15

Data mining is possible because of big databases and faster processing.

Question 16

What is pipelining in computing?

Answer 16

Pipelining is the process where an instruction is fetched while the previous instruction is decoded, improving processing efficiency.

Question 17

What is visualization in problem-solving?

Answer 17

Visualization involves presenting data in an easy-to-understand form, such as graphs, which can make previously unnoticed facts and trends apparent.

Question 18

How does abstraction help in real-world problem-solving?

Answer 18

Abstraction makes solving real-world problems possible by separating and focusing on essential components, like using variables to represent real-world values.

Question 19

What are levels of abstraction?

Answer 19

Levels of abstraction involve creating higher-level abstractions to represent large problems and breaking them down into smaller components. This helps in focusing on one issue at a time.

Question 20

What is the benefit of layering in large systems?

Answer 20

Layering divides the functionality of a system into separate areas, making the system more manageable and easier to work with.

Question 21

What does thinking ahead in computer science involve?

Answer 21

Thinking ahead involves determining outputs, necessary actions, resources, and considering user expectations before writing a program.

Question 22

What does caching do?

Answer 22

Caching stores data in memory to speed up processes by avoiding the need to read it from slower storage, reducing load on web servers.

Question 23

What is the purpose of prefetching?

Answer 23

Prefetching anticipates instructions before they are needed and stores them in a cache, speeding up the process by reducing delay.

Question 24

What are reusable program components?

Answer 24

Reusable program components are existing code elements used in new software development, saving time and improving dependability.

Question 25

What are the benefits of reusable components?

Answer 25

Reusable components can increase dependability, reduce risk, and speed up development by saving time and ensuring standards compliance.

Question 26

What are the drawbacks of reusable components?

Answer 26

Drawbacks include potential maintenance costs, lack of support, and difficulty in adapting components to new environments.

Question 27

How did NASA think ahead with the New Horizons mission?

Answer 27

NASA considered factors like how to maintain equipment without onboard staff, cost, power requirements, speed, and how to collect and send information.

Question 28

What is the purpose of caching in systems?

Answer 28

Caching improves response time by storing frequently used data in memory to avoid re-reading from slower storage and reducing web server load.

Question 29

What is decomposition in problem-solving?

Answer 29

Decomposition is the process of breaking down a complex problem into smaller, manageable sub-problems that can be solved individually.

Question 30

What is the order in program planning?

Answer 30

Order may or may not be important. In event-driven situations, order may be unpredictable, but in others, specific order is necessary for successful execution.

Question 31

What is logical thinking in program design?

Answer 31

Logical thinking involves identifying decision points and planning a program using structured statements, pseudocode, or flowcharts.

Question 32

What is concurrent thinking in program design?

Answer 32

Concurrent thinking involves designing programs to execute multiple instructions simultaneously, improving processing efficiency.

Question 33

What are parallel processors?

Answer 33

Parallel processors enable different parts of a program to be executed simultaneously, improving processing power and efficiency.

Question 34

What is the advantage of multicore processors?

Answer 34

Multicore processors allow multiple tasks to be executed at the same time, improving speed and efficiency in programs.

Question 35

How can programs take advantage of parallel processors?

Answer 35

Programs need to be specifically written to use parallel processors to divide tasks, saving time but adding complexity.

Question 36

What are the potential disadvantages of parallel processors?

Answer 36

Programs using parallel processors can become longer and more complex, as they need to be written to handle parallel execution.

Question 37

How does decomposition aid in problem-solving?

Answer 37

Decomposition breaks large problems into smaller, more manageable sub-problems, often making them easier to solve.