Module 3: Programming

Question 1

What is an array (or field)

Answer 1

a data structure used to store a group of variables for a single data item (a field) i.e. variables with the same data type.

e.g. the price of a set of items

Question 2

What is a record or structure

Answer 2

a data structure used to store a set of related variables (a record) possibly with different data types.

e.g. a record would be used to store the name, quantity and price of an item .

Question 3

source code vs object code vs executable code

Answer 3

source code - is written in a specific programming language

Object code is produced when source code is translated by a compiler

Executable code or machine language is the language the computer can understand and execute.

Question 4

What strategies can be used to make a program understandable (readable and easier to edit)

Answer 4

comments:
hints that are ignored by the complier.
…// - single line comments
…/* *\ - multi-line comments

descriptive variable names:
…letters & numbers but starts with letter
…camelCase format
…no spaces
…no reserved words

use of white space
…blocks and
…indents

Question 5

What are Data Items: literal,
variables & constants?

Answer 5

data item: the smallest unit of data that can be stored

Literal: a value written exactly as it’s meant to be interpreted.

Variable: a container used to store a single data item whose value can be changed during program execution. e.g. the day of the week

Constant: a data item whose value does not change during program execution e.g. the number of days in a week.

Question 6

What is the purpose of each of the following:
{}
//
/**\
;
&

Answer 6

{} - used to enclose blocks of code
// - single line comments
/**\ - Multi-line comments
; - the end of a statement
& - input a value into a variable

Question 7

What are format specifiers?

Answer 7

Format specifiers are used in printf() statements to display the value of variables
%d - integers
%lf - decimal values (float/double)
%c - characters
%s - string of characters

Question 8

C Operators

Answer 8

= assignment

ARITHMETIC OPERATORS
+ addition
- subtraction
* multiplication
/ division
% remainder after division
++ increment
– decrement

Question 9

Programming Paradigms & Languages

SO#1: identify the characteristics of different programming paradigms,

SO#12: explain the need for different programming languages; and

SO#13 of 13: compare how basic concepts are implemented in different programming languages

Answer 9

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LTinRUhjR9MuJA1uI3qvJ9sWjMTfsL0l/view?usp=share_link

Question 10

SO#2: explain how assemblers, compilers, virtual machines and interpreters are involved in the execution of High - level programming languages

Answer 10

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JhgYXKwqkppgmSwFrQJeTb8hpBlL6cLU/view?usp=share_link

Presentation on Program Translation:
https://www.mentimeter.com/app/presentation/19d03f332b35d9b036249d9689b94df9

Question 11

SO#7: apply the techniques of structured decomposition to reorganise a program into smaller pieces

Answer 11

https://drive.google.com/file/d/131AovOUHl6LKJ6g7WYhhcrZskfmDfVGi/view?usp=sharing

Question 12

SO#10: use text files to store data and records

Answer 12

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_qvr-flc09FtFov-LLFQR8PnwNXVsVyb/view?usp=share_link

Question 13

SO#8: implement algorithms to solve a given problem

Answer 13

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pZfh89b3zQjDxRxantdyKBvo0j9V0veT/view?usp=share_link

Question 14

SO#11: develop good programming style and documentation ;

Answer 14

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WjzPUzUFpaPHq5YY21zaONI-xaronxSz/view?usp=share_link