Structured Programming Concepts and Selection Control Structures

10 Questions

Explain the purpose of an if-else statement in structured programming.

An if-else statement is used in structured programming to execute different code based on whether a condition is true or false.

Describe the general format of a switch statement in structured programming.

A switch statement in structured programming evaluates an expression and executes corresponding code based on the value of the expression.

What are some advantages of structured programming?

Advantages of structured programming include improved maintainability, better testability, and a clearer system design.

Discuss a disadvantage of structured programming.

One disadvantage of structured programming is that it can be time-consuming, especially for large and complex systems.

Why is structured programming not well-suited for iterative development?

Structured programming is not well-suited for iterative development because it is designed to be completed in a single pass.

Explain the difference between declarative programming and imperative programming.

Declarative programming focuses on what needs to be done, while imperative programming focuses on how it should be done.

How does logic programming differ from functional programming?

Logic programming uses logical rules to solve problems, while functional programming treats computation as the evaluation of mathematical functions.

What is the main focus of declarative logic programming?

Declarative logic programming focuses on logical reasoning and knowledge representation.

Why do some programming language researchers criticize the notion of paradigms as a classification of programming languages?

Many languages cannot be strictly classified into one paradigm.

How can understanding different programming paradigms help programmers in their work?

Understanding different paradigms can help programmers choose the best approach for their specific needs.

Study Notes

Meaning of Structured Programming

Structured programming is a programming discipline that emphasizes the importance of breaking down a software system into smaller, more manageable components. It uses structured design techniques to develop the system's architecture and components, focusing on the solidity, pliability, and maintainability of the system. The method was popular in the 1970s and 1980s and is still used today, despite the emergence of newer software development methodologies.

Structured Analysis and Structured Design (SA/SD)

The SA/SD method is based on the principle of structured programming and is divided into two phases: Structured Analysis and Structured Design. During the Structured Analysis phase, the problem to be solved is analyzed, and the requirements are gathered. The Structured Design phase involves designing the system to meet the requirements that were gathered in the Structured Analysis phase. SA/SD uses techniques such as functional decomposition, data flow diagrams (DFDs), modular programming, and structured design to develop software systems in a structured and systematic way.

Selection Control Structures

In structured programming, selection control structures are used to make decisions and branch a program to different paths based on certain conditions. The most common selection control structures are the if-else statement and the switch statement.

If-Else Statement

The if-else statement is a two-way selection control structure that allows a program to execute different code depending on whether a condition is true or false. It has the following general format:

if (condition) {
    // code to execute if the condition is true
} else {
    // code to execute if the condition is false
}

Switch Statement

The switch statement is another selection control structure used in structured programming. It allows a program to evaluate an expression and execute corresponding code based on the value of the expression. It has the following general format:

switch (expression) {
    case value1:
        // code to execute if the value of the expression matches value1
        break;
    case value2:
        // code to execute if the value of the expression matches value2
        break;
    // ...
    default:
        // code to execute if the value of the expression does not match any of the cases
        break;
}

Advantages and Disadvantages of Structured Programming

Structured programming has several advantages, including improved maintainability, better testability, and a clearer system design. However, it can also be time-consuming, especially for large and complex systems, and it can be inflexible once a system has been designed. It is not well-suited for iterative development, as it is designed to be completed in a single pass.

In conclusion, structured programming is an important discipline in software development that emphasizes the importance of breaking down a software system into smaller, more manageable components. It uses structured design techniques to develop the system's architecture and components, focusing on the solidity, pliability, and maintainability of the system. Selection control structures, such as if-else statements and switch statements, are used to make decisions and branch a program to different paths based on certain conditions.