Fundamentals of Programming

Question 1

Define Memory Address

Answer 1

A specific location in memory where instructions or data are stored.

Question 2

Difference between a computer program and Algorithm?

Answer 2

An algorithm is a sequence of steps that can be followed to complete a task, a computer program is the actual code that completes the algorithm.

Question 3

Name all data types and their uses

Answer 3

INTEGER - whole number,
FLOAT/REAL - fractional/ has decimal point,
STRING - characters,
BOOLEAN - True or False (1 or 0),
CHARACTER - stores individual character,
DATE/TIME - store date formats,
POINTER/REFERENCE - stores a value that relates to a location in memory,
ARRAY - a list of data (elements) of the same type

Question 4

Define Initialisation

Answer 4

Setting the starting values for a variable

Question 5

Define Nesting

Answer 5

Placing one set of instructions within another set of instructions

Question 6

Explain the two types of Iteration

Answer 6

Indefinite = a process that repeats until a certain condition is met, Definite = a process that repeats a certain number of times

Question 7

Define Relational Operations

Answer 7

expressions that compare two values.

Question 8

Name and describe String-Handling Functions

Answer 8

Actions that can be carried out on sequences of characters, such as:

Length
Position
Substring (String contained within a string)
Concatenation (Joining strings together)
Character Codes (ASCII, UNICODE etc.)

Question 9

Name the code which describes the data being passed from one subroutine to another

Answer 9

Block Interface

Question 10

Name a block of code that can be designed to carry out a specific task

Answer 10

Subroutine/Procedure.

Question 11

Define Exception Handeling

Answer 11

the process of dealing with events that cause subroutines to stop.

Question 12

Define Hierarchy charts

Answer 12

A diagram that shows the design of a system from the top down (decomposition)

Question 13

A chart similar to a hierarchy chart with the addition of showing how data is passed around the system

Answer 13

Structure Chart

Question 14

Define a dry run

Answer 14

The process of stepping through each line of code to see what will happen before the program is run

Question 15

Define Procedural Programming languages

Answer 15

Languages where the programmer specifies the steps that must be carried out

Question 16

Define a Modular Design

Answer 16

A method of system design that breaks the whole system down into smaller units/modules,
e.g Object Orientated Programs

Question 17

What is the concept of putting properties, methods and data in one object called?

Answer 17

Encapsulation

Question 18

What are protected methods?

Answer 18

Methods that can only be called with a class or sub-class and not on objects

Question 19

What is the ability of different types of data being manipulated with the same method called?

Answer 19

Polymorphism

Question 20

Define an Abstract Class

Answer 20

An abstract class is a class that can only be used to create sub-classes from, through inheritance.

Question 21

Define Composition aggregation

Answer 21

creating an object that contains other objects and all will be deleted if the containing object is deleted

Question 22

Define Association aggregation

Answer 22

creating an object that contains other objects but will not be deleted if the containing object is deleted