Component 1.7 - Software Engineering (Finished)

Question 1

What do software development environments do?

Answer 1

IDEs (Integrated development environments) / software development environments provide developers with various tools needed to create computer programs.

Question 2

What does a compiler do?

Answer 2

A compiler converts source code into executable machine code that can be run at any time (once compiled)

Question 3

What does an Editor do?

Answer 3

An editor allows a programmer to enter, edit and format source code

Question 4

What does an interpreter do?

Answer 4

It converts each line of source code into machine code, and executes it as each line of code is run. This is done every time a program needs to be run

Question 5

What is a loader? (Part of an IDE)

Answer 5

It is a program which loads previously compiled code into memory

Question 6

What is a debugger? (Part of IDEs)

Answer 6

A debugger is a program which helps locate, identify and rectify errors in a program

Question 7

What does a variable watch do?

Answer 7

A variable watch displays the current value of any variable. The value can be ‘watched’ as the program code is single-stepped to see the effects of the code on the variable.

A variable a watch can also be set which will interrupt the flow of a program when the variable reaches a specific value

Question 8

What is a trace?

Answer 8

A trace is a facility which displays the order in which the lines of a program are executed, and
possibly the values of variables as the program is being run

Question 9

What are error diagnostics?

Answer 9

They are used when a program fails to compile or to run. Error messages are displayed to help the programmer diagnose what has gone wrong

Question 10

What does a memory inspector do?

Answer 10

A memory inspector displays the contents of a section of memory

Question 11

What is single stepping?

Answer 11

When program code is executed one line at a time

Question 12

What does a break point do?

Answer 12

A break point can be set and is a facility that interrupts the program on a specific line of code to allow the programmer to compare the values of variables against expected values. The program can then usually be single stepped

Question 13

A library is a collection of commonly used _______ f_______ and ________

Answer 13

Private, functions, subprograms

Question 14

Give an example of a private function?

Answer 14

• Standard mathematical operations such as square root

- Random number generators

Question 15

Give an example of a sub Program?

Answer 15

• Standard input/output routines such as saving data to a disk

Question 16

Give 2 advantages of Libraries?

Answer 16

• Related private programs and subprograms are stored in the same location
• Time is saved as the programmer can simp,y use the things in the Libraries
• subroutines created in a Library have usually been tested so they should work reliably
• Programs will contain less code

Question 17

What is a linker (part of IDEs)?

Answer 17

A linkeris a program that allows previously compiled code from software libraries to be linked together

Question 18

Give 4 things that are included in software development environments /IDEs?

Answer 18

Editor, Compiler, Interpreter, Linker, loader, debugger, trace, memory inspector, error diagnostics, variable watch, break point

Question 19

What is a library?

Answer 19

A library is a collection of commonly used private functions and subprograms

Question 20

When can the functions of a library be called?

Answer 20

The functions in a library can be called from within the program at any stage but only after the library has been linked