What do software development environments do?
IDEs (Integrated development environments) / software development environments provide developers with various tools needed to create computer programs.
What does a compiler do?
A compiler converts source code into executable machine code that can be run at any time (once compiled)
What does an Editor do?
An editor allows a programmer to enter, edit and format source code
What does an interpreter do?
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
What is a loader? (Part of an IDE)
It is a program which loads previously compiled code into memory
What is a debugger? (Part of IDEs)
A debugger is a program which helps locate, identify and rectify errors in a program
What does a variable watch do?
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
What is a trace?
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
What are error diagnostics?
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
What does a memory inspector do?
A memory inspector displays the contents of a section of memory
What is single stepping?
When program code is executed one line at a time
What does a break point do?
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
A library is a collection of commonly used _______ f_______ and ________
Private, functions, subprograms
Give an example of a private function?
- Standard mathematical operations such as square root
- Random number generators
Give an example of a sub Program?
- Standard input/output routines such as saving data to a disk
Give 2 advantages of Libraries?
- 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
What is a linker (part of IDEs)?
A linkeris a program that allows previously compiled code from software libraries to be linked together
Give 4 things that are included in software development environments /IDEs?
Editor, Compiler, Interpreter, Linker, loader, debugger, trace, memory inspector, error diagnostics, variable watch, break point
What is a library?
A library is a collection of commonly used private functions and subprograms
When can the functions of a library be called?
The functions in a library can be called from within the program at any stage but only after the library has been linked
