Lists and Variables in Programming

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Questions and Answers

A list (or an array) is a variable that can contain more than one piece of information. What is another way to think of a list in these terms?

A list can be thought of as a storage location for multiple values.

What is the value of each variable on the different lines of the program?

Line 1: a = 1 Line 2: c = 2 Line 3: b = a + c Line 4: b = 1 Line 5: a = c - b

In order to better understand the difference between a variable and a list, follow the exercise below. What is the difference between a variable and a list?

A variable is a storage location for a single value, while a list is an ordered collection of multiple values.

In a house, we can put up ______. In a building, we can put up ______.

<p>one family several families</p> Signup and view all the answers

A variable containing a piece of information at a time, compared to a building... what does this analogy mean?

<p>A variable holds one piece of information at a time, just as a house can only accommodate one family. A building can contain multiple homes, or families, just as a list can hold multiple pieces of information.</p> Signup and view all the answers

In a building, we use the lift buttons to reach the _______.

<p>floor</p> Signup and view all the answers

A variable in a list, we use the pointer to access a specific item. In a Small Basic program, that means the variable contains the value 20. In a Small Basic program, what is the value of the third cell of the list contains the value 40.

<p>The third cell of the list contains the value 40, indicating that the pointer has moved from the initial value of 20 to a new location in the list.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

List (array)

A variable that can hold multiple values simultaneously.

List Element

A single value stored within a list.

Index

A unique identifier used to access a specific element in a list.

Filling a list

The process of assigning values to the elements of a list.

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Displaying list content

The process of displaying the values stored in a list one by one.

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Variable

A simple data structure that can hold only a single value at a time.

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Indexing a list

Accessing a specific element in a list using its index.

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Assigning a value to a variable

The process of storing a value in a variable.

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Program

A program that performs a series of actions.

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Code

A set of instructions that define the behavior of a program.

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Lines of code

A set of lines in a program that are executed sequentially.

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Variable value

A value stored in a variable or list element.

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Manipulating variables

The process of changing the value stored in a variable or list element.

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Constant

A value that remains constant throughout the entire program.

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Data structure

A technique used to organize data into a structured format.

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Pointer

A variable that holds the location of another variable or list element.

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Element position in a list

The position of a specific element in a list.

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Defining a variable

The process of creating a new variable.

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Building analogy

A simple analogy to help understand the concept of a list.

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Lift button analogy

A simple analogy to understand that list access requires indexing.

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Study Notes

Lists and Variables

  • A list (or array) is a variable that holds multiple values simultaneously.
  • Variables hold one value at a time.
  • Lists are like buildings, while variables are like single houses.
  • A variable, like 'a', in a program might hold the value 20.
  • A list element (like 'b[3]') in a program might hold the value 40.
  • The variable 'a' can store one value (e.g., 20).
  • An array, like 'b', contains several ordered values (e.g., b[3] might hold the value 40).
  • A list has multiple items and order matters for referencing particular items (e.g., b[3] = 40)
  • Variables work like a lift button in a building to reach a particular floor (item).
  • Arrays/lists work as a pointer (to access a specific item).

Variable Manipulation

  • a = 1
  • c = 2
  • b = a + c
  • b = 1
  • a = c - b

Program Structure Example

  • In a program, you look at multiple lines to find values held in variables.
  • Each line holds a definition or a calculation.
  • Lines in the program represent order of operations.

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