Chapter 1: Introduction Flashcards
error in the program
bug
The heart of any computer. It is what runs the software that we write
central processing unit
(CPU / processor)
To translate a program written in a high-level language into a low-level language all at once, in preparation for later execution.
compile
A programming language like Python that is designed to be easy for humans to read and write.
high-level language
A way of using the Python interpreter by typing commands and expressions at the prompt.
interactive mode
To execute a program in a high-level language by translating it one line at a time.
interpret
A programming language that is designed to be easy for a computer to execute; also called “machine code” or “assembly language”.
low-level language
The lowest-level language for software, which is the language that is directly executed by the central processing unit (CPU).
machine code
Stores programs and data. Loses its information when the power is turned off.
main memory
To examine a program and analyze the syntactic structure.
parse
A property of a program that can run on more than one kind of computer.
portability
An instruction that causes the Python interpreter to display a value on the screen.
print function
The process of formulating a problem, finding a solution, and expressing the solution.
problem solving
A set of instructions that specifies a computation.
program
When a program displays a message and pauses for the user to type some input to the program.
prompt
Stores programs and data and retains its information even when the power is turned off. Generally slower. Examples include disk drives and flash memory in USB sticks.
secondary memory
The meaning of a program.
semantics
An error in a program that makes it do something other than what the programmer intended.
semantic error
A program in a high-level language.
source code
Get data from the “outside world”. This might be reading data from a file, or even some kind of sensor like a microphone or GPS.
input
Display the results of the program on a screen or store them in a file or perhaps write them to a device like a speaker to play music or speak text.
output
Perform statements one after another in the order they are encountered in the script.
sequential execution
Check for certain conditions and then execute or skip a sequence of statements.
conditional execution
Perform some set of statements repeatedly, usually with some variation.
repeated execution
