Component 1.7 - Software Engineering (Finished) Flashcards Preview

Computer-Science GCSE Revision (Paper 1) > Component 1.7 - Software Engineering (Finished) > Flashcards

Flashcards in Component 1.7 - Software Engineering (Finished) Deck (20)
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1
Q

What do software development environments do?

A

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

2
Q

What does a compiler do?

A

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

3
Q

What does an Editor do?

A

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

4
Q

What does an interpreter do?

A

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

5
Q

What is a loader? (Part of an IDE)

A

It is a program which loads previously compiled code into memory

6
Q

What is a debugger? (Part of IDEs)

A

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

7
Q

What does a variable watch do?

A

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

8
Q

What is a trace?

A

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

9
Q

What are error diagnostics?

A

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

10
Q

What does a memory inspector do?

A

A memory inspector displays the contents of a section of memory

11
Q

What is single stepping?

A

When program code is executed one line at a time

12
Q

What does a break point do?

A

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

13
Q

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

A

Private, functions, subprograms

14
Q

Give an example of a private function?

A
  • Standard mathematical operations such as square root

- Random number generators

15
Q

Give an example of a sub Program?

A
  • Standard input/output routines such as saving data to a disk
16
Q

Give 2 advantages of Libraries?

A
  • 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
17
Q

What is a linker (part of IDEs)?

A

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

18
Q

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

A

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

19
Q

What is a library?

A

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

20
Q

When can the functions of a library be called?

A

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