Software Design & Development Flashcards
Actual Parameter
The value(s) sent from the main program to the procedure.
Robust
Program will cope with invalid data without crashing.
Top Down Design
Problem is split in to small easier to solve ones.
Stepwise Refinement
Process of continually using top down design until each problem is very easy to solve.
Local Variable
These variables only work in the loop, procedure or class they are created in. Such variables are only loaded in to RAM if that particular procedure is used.
Global Variable
These variables can be accessed from any point in a program. Such variables are loaded in to memory as soon as the program is run.
Parameter
These allow us to pass data into procedures.
Function
A piece of code that takes in data (parameters) and processes it to return a single value which can be assigned to a variable.
Procedure
A block of code in a program. It does not have to return a value, but often they can return several values.
Formal Parameter
Placeholders at the top of a procedure that receive the values that have been sent as parameters from the main program.
Linear Search Algorithm
Algorithm used to find a value in a list (array).
Find Minimum Algorithm
Algorithm used to find the smallest value in a list (array).
Find Maximum Algorithm
Algorithm used to find the largest value in a list (array).
Count Occurrences
Algorithm used to find out how many times a value appears in a list (array).
Integer
A positive or negative whole number.
Real
A positive or negative number with a decimal point.
1D Array
A data structure that holds only ONE type of data.
Record
A data structure that can hold SEVERAL different data types in the one unit.
Array of Records
The data structure that holds all the records collectively in one unit.
Sequential File
File type where data is stored in a particular order.
Open File
This will open a sequential file so that the program can read data from the file or write data to the file.
Create File
This allows a new file to be made that can be written to or read from.
Read File
This means to take the data from the file and insert it in to arrays (it can be variables or records as well). However you have to open the file first.
Write File
Data added to a file and is saved to it permanently and is there even when the power is switched off.
Close File
File is “shut” to save demands on RAM and system resources.
Boolean Variable
A data type which can be True/False, Yes/No.
Syntax Error
Mistakes in the way that the code is written. These include spelling mistakes, incorrect use of punctuation and capital letters.
Execution Error
Sometimes called a runtime error, they only show at run time. The program is asked to do something that it cannot, resulting in a ‘crash’. eg asking a program to divide by 0.
Logic Error
A program works but produces different results from what is expected. The program will run (execute) without any errors being highlighted.
Dry Run
The process of a programmer manually working through their code to identify errors
Trace Table
Used by programmers to track the values of variables as they change throughout the program to identify errors
Breakpoint
The programmer decides at which line in the code there will be a temporary halt. This allows the programmer to compare the variable values with the expected values.
Watchpoint
Used to stop execution when the value of a specific variable changes/pre-determined conditions are met. This allows the programmer to compare the value with the expected value.
Substring
A predefined function that extracts smaller strings from larger strings.
Pseudocode
A design technique where the problem is split in to readable steps.
Fit for Purpose
Does the piece of software that has been created meet the requirements that were set out in the software specification.
ord
a function that converts a character to its equivalent ASCII number
chr
a function that converts a number to its ASCII equivalent character
mod
a function that returns the remainder after division.
int
a function that converts a floating point number to an integer
purpose
a general description of what the software will do
Scope
a list of the deliverables that the project will hand over to the client e.g. design, completed program, test plan, test results and evaluation report. It can also include any time limits for the project.
boundaries
the limits that help to define what is in the project and what is not.
functional requirements
the features and functions that must be delivered by the system in terms of inputs, processes and outputs.
user interface wireframe
Used to design how the user interface looks
parallel 1D arrays
This term describes two or more arrays that hold related data, and the related elements in each array are accessed with a common index number (counter).
scope of a variable
the part of the program where the variable can be referenced e.g local or global
Efficient use of coding constructs
This reflects whether the developers have used their knowledge of constructs to make the program have as few lines as possible
Maintainibility
As part of the evaluation this reflects how easy it is to alter the software.
Usability
This reflects how intuitive the software is from a user’s perspective
Data flow
In top level design shows the information that must flow In or Out from the sub-programs
Structure diagram
A design technique using different shaped boxes and showing hierarchy
Agile methodologies
Development methodologies in which the client is involved at all stages giving constant feedback on prototypes
Iterative development process
The process by which computer programs are designed, developed and tested in repeated cycles.
