Ch.1 C++

Question 1

1.1 Why is the computer used by so many different people, in so many different professions?

Answer 1

Because the computer can be programmed to do so many different tasks

Question 2

1.2 List the 5 major hardware components of a computer system

Answer 2

The Central Processing Unit (CPU), main memory, secondary memory, input devices, & output devices

Question 3

1.3 Internally, the CPU consists of what two units?

Answer 3

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU), and Control Unit

Question 4

1.4 Describe the Fetch step on the fetch/decode/execute cycle

Answer 4

1. Fetch: The CPU’s control unit fetches the program’s next instruction from the main memory

Question 5

1.4 Describe the Decode step on the fetch/decode/execute cycle

Answer 5

2. Decoder: The control unit decodes the instruction, which is encoded in the form of a number, and then an electrical signal is generated

Question 5

1.4 Describe the Execute step on the fetch/decode/execute cycle

Answer 5

3. Execute: The signal is routed to the appropriate component of the computer, which causes a device to perform an operation

Question 6

1.5 What is memory address and what is it’s purpose?

Answer 6

A unique number assigned to each section of memory

Question 7

1.6 Explain why computers have main memory

Answer 7

Program instructions and data are stored in main memory while the program is operating. Main memory is volatile, and loses its contents when power is removed from the computer. Like short term memory

Question 8

1.6 Explain why computers have secondary memory

Answer 8

Secondary storage holds data for long periods of time - even when there is no power to the computer. Like long term memory

Question 9

1.7 What are two general categories of software

Answer 9

Operating Systems and Application Software

Question 10

1.8 What fundamental set/group of programs control the internal operations of the computer’s hardware?

Answer 10

The Operating System

Question 11

1.9 What do you call a program that performs a specialized task, such as a virus scanner, a file-compression program, or a data-backup program?

Answer 11

A Utility program

Question 12

1.10 Word processing programs, spreadsheet programs, email programs, Web browsers, and GAME programs belong to what category of software?

Answer 12

Application Software/Apps

Question 13

1.11 What is an algorithm?

Answer 13

A set of well-defined steps for a performing a task or solving a problem

Question 14

1.12 Why were computer programming languages invented?

Answer 14

To ease the task of programming; Programs may be written in a programming language and then converted into a machine language

Question 15

1.13 What is the difference between a high-level language and a low-level language? Define how a high-level language acts

Answer 15

A high-level language is closer to the level of a human readability and resemble natural languages

Question 16

1.13 What is the difference between a high-level language and a low-level language? Define how a low-level language acts

Answer 16

A low-level language is close to the level of the computer, and resembles the system’s numeric machine language

Question 17

1.14 What does portability mean?

Answer 17

That a program may be written on one type of a computer and run on another type

Question 18

1.15 Explain the operations carried out by the preprodecessor in the preprodecessor, compiler, and linker operations

Answer 18

1. The preprodecessor reads the Source File searching for commands that begin with the # symbol. These are the commands that cause the preprodecessor to modify the Source File in some way

Question 19

1.15 Explain the operations carried out by the compiler in the preprodecessor, compiler, and linker operations

Answer 19

2. The compiler translates each Source Code instruction into the appropriate Machine Language instruction, and creates an Object File

Question 20

1.15 Explain the operations carried out by the linker in the preprodecessor, compiler, and linker operations

Answer 20

3. The linker combines the Object File with the necessary library routines

Question 21

1.16 Explain what is stored in a Source File

Answer 21

Contains program statements written by the programmer

Question 22

1.16 Explain what is stored in a Object File

Answer 22

Machine language instructions generated by the compiler translated from the Source File

Question 23

1.16 Explain what is stored in a Executable File

Answer 23

Code ready to run on the computer. Includes the machine language from an Object File, and the necessary code from library routine

Question 24

1.17 What is an integrated development environment?

Answer 24

A program environment that includes a Text Editor, Compiler, Debugger, and other utilities, integrated into one package

Question 25

1.18 Describe the difference between a key word and a programmer-define identifier

Answer 25

A key word has a special purpose, and a defined as part of a programming language. A programmer-defined identifier is a word or name defined by the programmer.

Question 26

1.19 Describe the difference between operators and punctuation symbols.

Answer 26

Operators perform on one or more operands. Punctuation symbol mark the beginning or end of a statement, or separate items in a list

Question 27

1.20 Describe the difference between a program line and a statement

Answer 27

A line is a single line as it appears in the body of a program. A statement is a complete instruction that causes the computer to perform an action.

Question 28

1.21 Why are variables called "variables"?

Answer 28

Because their content may be changed

Question 29

1.22 What happens to a variables current contents when a new value is stored there?

Answer 29

The original is overwritten

Question 30

1.23 What must take place in a program before a variable is used?

Answer 30

The variable must be defined

Question 31

1.24 What are the 3 primary activities of a program?

Answer 31

Input, processing, and output

Question 32

1.25 What 4 items should you identify when defining what a program is to do?

Answer 32

1. The program's purpose 2. Information to be input 3. The processing to take place 4. The desired output

Question 33

1.26 What does it mean to "visualize a program running"? What is the value of such an activity?

Answer 33

To imagine what the computer screen looks like while the program is running. This helps define input and output

Question 34

1.27 What is a hierarchy chart?

Answer 34

A chart that depicts each logical step of the program in an hierarchical fashion

Question 35

1.28 Describe the process of desk-checking

Answer 35

The programmer steps though each statement in the program from beginning to end. The contents of variables are recorded, and screen output is sketched

Question 36

1.29 Describe what a compiler does with a program's source code

Answer 36

It translates each source code statement into the appropriate machine learning statement,

Question 37

1.30 What is run-time error?

Answer 37

A logical error that occurs while the program is running

Question 38

1.31 Is a syntax error (such as misspelling a key word) found by the compiler or when the program is running?

Answer 38

By the compiler

Question 39

1.32 What is the purpose of testing a program with sample data or input?

Answer 39

To determine if a logical error is present in the program

Question 40

1.33 Briefly describe the difference between procedural and object-oriented programming

Answer 40

Procedural programs are made of procedures or functions. Object-oriented programs are centered on objects, which contain both data and procedures that operate on the