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Questions and Answers
What is software?
What is software?
What are utility programs designed for?
What are utility programs designed for?
To perform a specific task related to working with computers.
What does an assembler do?
What does an assembler do?
Translates assembly language programs into machine code.
What is the role of a compiler?
What is the role of a compiler?
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Define object code.
Define object code.
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What is an interpreter?
What is an interpreter?
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What is bespoke software?
What is bespoke software?
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What is general-purpose software?
What is general-purpose software?
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What does special purpose software support?
What does special purpose software support?
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What is the first generation language?
What is the first generation language?
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What characterizes second generation languages?
What characterizes second generation languages?
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Define third generation languages.
Define third generation languages.
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What are fourth generation languages known for?
What are fourth generation languages known for?
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Study Notes
Software Definitions and Types
- Software comprises sequences of instructions (programs) that hardware can understand and execute.
- Utility programs perform specific tasks related to computer operations, such as compressing files or formatting disks.
- Bespoke software is custom-developed to meet a specific customer's needs, ensuring tailored functionality.
- General purpose software is versatile and can be used for various tasks, appealing to a broad audience.
- Special purpose software is designed for a single task, offering focused solutions.
Software Translation Methods
- Assemblers translate assembly language programs into machine code, converting each mnemonic instruction to its binary equivalent.
- Compilers convert high-level language code into object code, analyzing the entire codebase for optimization, resulting in faster execution compared to interpreted code.
- Object code consists of statements or instructions in a machine language, ready for execution by the computer.
- Interpreters analyze and execute high-level language programs line by line, leading to slower execution without generating object code, necessitating recompilation for each run.
Generations of Programming Languages
- First generation languages (machine code) consist solely of binary (0's and 1's), making them tedious for manual programming.
- Second generation languages (assembly language) retain the structure of machine language but use mnemonics for easier writing, optimizing speed for execution and direct register addressing.
- Third generation languages (problem-oriented) allow one statement to represent multiple machine instructions, providing a more abstract and user-friendly programming experience since the 1950s.
- Fourth generation languages (declarative) define what needs to be computed rather than detailing the process, such as Prolog and SQL, allowing users to declare facts for algorithmic processing.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key software concepts with these flashcards. Discover terms like 'Software', 'Utility Programs', and 'Assembler'. This quiz is perfect for students learning about computer science and software engineering.
