Unit 8 - Systems Software & Robust Programming

Question 1

What is Input validation?

Answer 1

Checking input meets certain rules, e.g. the type of data.

Question 2

What is Anticipating misuse?

Answer 2

Creating precautions for unintended use of the program

Question 3

What is Authentication?

Answer 3

Entering data twice or checking from an alternative source.

Question 4

Explain the Use of sub programs.

Answer 4

Creating reusable code where bugs can easily be fixed.

Question 5

What are Naming conventions?

Answer 5

Good use of variables and sub program names makes programs easier to read.

Question 6

What is Indentation?

Answer 6

Makes programs easier to read.

Question 7

What is Commenting?

Answer 7

Helps programmers understand what a program does and how it does it.

Question 8

What is a Syntax error?

Answer 8

A syntax error is one where the code written doesn’t conform to the rules of the language.

Question 9

What is a Logical error?

Answer 9

A logical error is when a code runs in a way that is not intended by the programmer, but usually does not prevent it from running.

Question 10

What are the 4 types of test data and what do they mean?

Answer 10

Normal data: Data that fits within all parameters with ease; Boundary data: Data which is just above or below the minimum or maximum requirements; Invalid data: Data which does not fit within the parameters; Erroneous data: Data which is the wrong type.

Question 11

Give 3 examples of a High-level Programming language.

Answer 11

Python, Java, C#

Question 12

Give an example of a Query language.

Answer 12

SQL

Question 13

Give 2 examples of Markup languages.

Answer 13

HTML, XML

Question 14

Give an example of a Low-level Programming language.

Answer 14

Assembly language

Question 15

What is machine code?

Answer 15

Code that is read by the machine and is highly difficult to read by people

Question 16

Name 3 advantages of a low-level language

Answer 16

A program written in a low-level language can run very quickly, the code will usually require less RAM and statements in a low-level language can be used to control and manipulate specific hardware components.

Question 17

What do Compilers and Interpreters do?

Answer 17

Translates a high-level language into machine code.

Question 18

Name 4 differences between a Compiler and an Interpreter.

Answer 18

A compiler translates the whole program

Question 19

What is assembly language?

Answer 19

Assembly language is a low-level language. It is assembled into machine code before it’s run.

Question 20

What are IDEs?

Answer 20

IDEs are Integrated Development Environments. They have a number of tools and features that help programmers when they are programming.

Question 21

Name 4 functions that an IDE introduces to help in programming.

Answer 21

Line numbers – Give a number to each line of code; Syntax highlighting – Different colours for code that has different meanings, such as keywords, strings or variables; Breakpoints, stepping and watching variables – The ability to pause code when running and then run each line of code separately whilst watching the values stored in variables as they change.

Question 22

How much memory do integers take up?

Answer 22

Integers use around 2 bytes of memory.

Question 23

How much memory do float values take up?

Answer 23

Float values use around 4 bytes of memory.

Question 24

How much memory do char values take up?

Answer 24

Char values use around 1 byte of memory.

Question 25

How much memory do string values take up?

Answer 25

String values use up 1 byte per character in the string.