Software Development Flashcards
What is a flowchart?
Type of diagram that represents an algorithm, workflow, or process
What is a sequence?
Refer to the specific order in which instructions are executed by a
computer
Why are flowcharts and sequences so important?
▪ Enable effective planning
▪ Help in visualizing the structure of the code
▪ Enhance problem-solving skills
▪ Contribute to writing clean, maintainable code
What is pseudocode?
Method of planning which allows programmers to plan out their code in
a format that is easier to understand
Why is pseudocode important?
▪ It enhances clarity
▪ It simplifies debugging
▪ It promotes communication
▪ It facilitates translation into multiple programming languages
What are 4 types of programming languages?
Assembly
Compiled
Interpreted
Query
What are assembly languages?
Low-level languages that are the fundamental languages directly interpreted
by computer hardware
What are compiled languages? Give examples
Designed to be more human-readable and are then translated into machine code through the use of a compiler
For example C, C+, and Rust
What are interpreted languages? Give examples
Not converted into machine code, they are executed line by line by an
interpreter.
For example python, ruby, javascript
What are query languages? Give an example.
Query languages are used to create, retrieve, update, and delete
data from database systems
SQL structured query languages
What is a variable?
Variables are used to store information to be referenced and manipulated in a computer program, can be changed.
What are constants?
Constants are the value remains the same throughout the entire program
What are arrays?
An array is a static, fixed-size data structure, well-suited for situations where
the size of the data collection is known beforehand and doesn’t need to change
What are vectors?
An extension of the concept of arrays, they can grow or shrink in size
during the execution of a program
What is branching?
The decision making process for code, for example:
IF this then THAT
IF-ELSE then THAT
What is looping?
It allows you to perform an action or a series of actions multiple times,
saving you from having to write repetitive code.
What is a comparison operator?
▪ Compares two values and, based on that comparison, they return a boolean value, either TRUE or FALSE
What is a logical operator?
Allows to test multiple conditions at once
e.g. AND returns true if both conditions being compared are true
What is a function?
Segment of code designated to perform a distinct task. Can return values e.g. the answer to a sum
What is a procedure?
A segment of code that performs a task but cannot return a value.
What is an object?
Entity that combines data and functions into one package
A particular thing e.g. my car
What is a class?
User-defined data types that act as the blueprint for individual objects, attributes and methods
A type of thing with common attributes e.g. cars
What is a property?
Element that determines its state or characteristics
A bit of information about the car
What is an attribute?
Specification that defines a property of an object
A specific bit of information about what the car is
What is a method?
Similar to functions in procedural programming, but they are
contained within a class
A specific bit of information about what the car can do
