Important definitions

Question 1

Define ‘iteration’ (v.)

Answer 1

Iteration is the act of repeating a process with the aim of approaching a desired goal, target or result.

Question 2

What are three levels of programming languages? (Roughly)

Answer 2

Binary (lowest)
Machine language and assembly (very low)
High level languages of varying power (eg Python)

Question 3

Define ‘syntax’

Answer 3

The arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language

Question 4

Define ‘semantics’

Answer 4

The meaning of a word, phrase, or text.

Question 5

What is function or method ‘overloading’? Give an example.

Answer 5

When different functions/methods have the same name but different implementations.
Eg, print & +:
>>> print(1 + 1)
2
>>> print(1.0 + 1)
2.0
>>> print(1 + 'a')
TypeError

Question 6

What is a ‘literal’?

Answer 6

A constant - fixed value with invariant semantics

Question 7

What is a variable and how do we make one?

Answer 7

Stored value assigned using (=)

Question 8

Python is an ‘imperative’ language - what does this mean?

Answer 8

Programming that uses statements that change a program’s state (eg x = 2). An imperative program consists of commands for the computer to perform and describes how a program operates.

Question 9

Python is a ‘dynamically’ typed language - what does the mean?

Answer 9

Implicitly determines type of each literal and variable at runtime.