Computer Programming Basics

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Questions and Answers

What is a compiler?

A program that translates a high-level language program into a separate machine language program.

What is an interpreter?

A program that both translates and executes instructions in a high-level language program.

What are keywords in programming?

The words that make up a high-level programming language.

What do operators do?

Perform various operations on data. Signup and view all the answers

What is syntax in programming?

Set of rules that must be strictly followed when writing the program. Signup and view all the answers

What are statements in a programming language?

The individual instructions used to write a program in a high-level programming language. Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum value for a byte?

255 bits. Signup and view all the answers

What is R.A.M?

Primary storage device for a computer. Signup and view all the answers

What are disk drives and solid state drives?

Secondary storage devices. Signup and view all the answers

How is information stored on a disk drive?

Magnetically. Signup and view all the answers

How is information stored on a CD/DVD?

Laser burning. Signup and view all the answers

What is digital data?

Data that is stored in binary. Signup and view all the answers

What is a digital device?

A device that works with binary data. Signup and view all the answers

What is a logic error?

A mistake that does not prevent the program from running, but causes it to produce incorrect results. Signup and view all the answers

What is a syntax error?

A mistake that prevents the program from running beyond the point of the mistake. Signup and view all the answers

How many steps are there in the program development cycle?

Five steps. Signup and view all the answers

What is the basic order of operations?

Multiplication and division precede addition and subtraction. Signup and view all the answers

What is an initial variable?

A variable that is only recognized within the module it is coded in and can change throughout the program. Signup and view all the answers

What is a constant variable?

A variable that cannot change. Signup and view all the answers

What is a global variable?

A variable that can be recognized anywhere within the program. Signup and view all the answers

What do you surround all strings with in programming?

Quotation marks. Signup and view all the answers

What is a string?

A sequence of characters that is used as data. Signup and view all the answers

What is a string literal?

When a string appears in the actual code of a program. Signup and view all the answers

What two steps form the process of designing a program?

Understand the task that the program is to perform and determine the steps that must be taken to perform the task. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hierarchy chart?

Used to display a relationship between modules. Signup and view all the answers

What is an argument in programming?

A piece of data that is sent from one module to another. Signup and view all the answers

What is a parameter?

A special variable that receives an argument when a module is called. Signup and view all the answers

What are some synonyms for modules?

Procedures, functions, methods, subroutines. Signup and view all the answers

What must be done for a module to run?

Call it. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Compiler

Translates high-level language programs into separate machine language programs for later execution.

Interpreter

Translates and executes high-level language instructions by converting them to machine language in real-time.

Keywords

Reserved words in a programming language that cannot be used as variable names.

Operators

Symbols that perform operations on data, including addition (+), subtraction (-), greater than (>), and less than (<).

Syntax

A strict set of rules governing the structure of code, such as the use of quotation marks to denote statements.

Statements

Individual instructions written in high-level programming languages to perform tasks.

255 bits

Maximum value for a byte, which consists of combinations of 0s and 1s.

R.A.M

Primary storage used for data processing; it temporarily holds data that the CPU accesses.

Disk drives, solid state drives

Types of secondary storage devices used for data retention and retrieval over the long term.

Magnetically

Method used for storing information on a disk drive.

Laser burning

Technique for encoding data onto CDs and DVDs.

Digital data

Information represented in binary format, consisting of 0s and 1s.

Digital device

Equipment that operates using binary data, facilitating computing tasks.

Logic error

An error that allows a program to run but results in incorrect output.

Syntax error

A coding mistake that prevents a program from executing past the point of error.

Five steps

The number of stages involved in the program development cycle.

Basic order of operations

Multiplication and division take precedence over addition and subtraction during calculations.

Initial variable

A type of variable recognized only within its module; can change throughout the program.

Constant variable

A variable whose value remains unchanged throughout the program's execution.

Global variable

A variable accessible from any part of the program, which can complicate programming logic.

Quotation marks

Required punctuation used to surround strings in programming for interpretation as textual data.

String

A data type comprised of a sequence of characters.

String literal

A specific instance of a string represented directly in the program's source code.

Design process steps

Understanding the task to be performed and determining the necessary steps to complete that task.

Hierarchy chart

A visual representation showing the relationship between different modules in a program.

Argument

A data piece passed from one module to another when calling a function or procedure.

Parameter

A special type of variable that receives values (arguments) when a module is invoked.

Synonyms for modules

Terms like procedures, functions, methods, and subroutines refer to code organization units.

Running a module

A module must be called explicitly for it to execute and perform its designated tasks.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of computer programming with this quiz. Explore key concepts like compilers, interpreters, reserved words, and operators. Ideal for beginners looking to strengthen their understanding of programming languages.