Common Fundamental Algorithms Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is an array?
A collection of items stored at contiguous memory locations; each item can be accessed using an index.
What is a binary search?
A search algorithm that finds the position of a target value within a sorted array by repeatedly dividing the search interval in half.
What is bubble sort?
A simple sorting algorithm that repeatedly steps through a list, compares adjacent elements, and swaps them if they are in the wrong order.
What is a concrete step?
A detailed action in an algorithm that specifies exactly how to perform a task.
What is a count-controlled loop?
A loop that repeats a specific number of times; controlled by a counter variable (e.g., ‘for’ loop).
What is desk checking?
A manual method of reviewing the logic of a program or algorithm using a pencil and paper instead of a computer.
What is an event-controlled loop?
A loop that continues to execute until a specific condition or event occurs, such as user input or a sensor reading.
What does heterogeneous mean?
A term describing a collection of items that are of different types.
What does homogenous mean?
A term describing a collection of items that are all of the same type.
What is an index?
A numerical representation of an element’s position within an array or list.
What is insertion sort?
A sorting algorithm that builds the final sorted array one item at a time by inserting each new item into its correct position.
What is processing?
The act of performing operations on data according to a set of instructions to achieve a desired result.
What is a record?
A composite variable that can store multiple fields of different data types, usually related to a single entity.
What is searching?
The process of finding a specific item or value within a collection of data.
What is selection sort?
A simple sorting algorithm that repeatedly finds the minimum element from the unsorted part of a list and moves it to the beginning.
What is a sequential search?
A search algorithm that checks each element in a list one by one until the desired element is found or the list ends.
What is sorting?
The process of arranging data in a particular order, such as ascending or descending.
What is a string?
A sequence of characters treated as a single data item; commonly used to represent text.
