Midterm - Terminology

Question 1

Computer

Answer 1

A programmable machine or device that can store, retrieve, and process data.
-Can perform calculations and make logical decisions faster than a human being

Question 2

Data vs Information

Answer 2

Data are the things that you see, feel, etc.

• Data is processed into information
• The extraction is the role of modern computers.

Question 3

IPO Model

Answer 3

Input -> Process -> Output

-All systems use this model, process is needed to display output.

Question 4

Two main components of a computer

Answer 4

hardware, software

Question 5

Software

Answer 5

Set of instructions (computer programs), procedures, rules, data and documentation to provide desired features, functions and performance.
-Enables user to interact w/ PC

Question 6

Failure differences w/ Hardware and Software.

Answer 6

• Hardware:
• First there are lots of failures, until it’s ready for market.
• Then after a while hardware gets old and begins to fail.

Software

• Starts with a lot failures
• eventually flattens.
• But then slowly increases because of a lack of support for obsolent software.

Question 7

Moore’s Law

Answer 7

• every year or two, the capacities of computers have approximately doubled inexpensively.

Question 8

Computer Organization (6)

Answer 8

Input: keyboard, touch screen, etc
Output: speakers, monitor, etc
Memory: data is placed before being processed.
ALU (Arithmetic and Logic):
CPU (Central Processing Unit): “administrative section” coordinates and tells the other sections what to do.
Secondary Storage: long-term, high capacity.

Question 9

Smallest data item of a computer. second smallest?

Answer 9

bit –> assumes either 1 or 0

2nd is byte –> 8 bits

Question 10

Fields

Answer 10

a group of characters or bytes that covey meaning

Question 11

Records

Answer 11

a group of related fields

Question 12

File

Answer 12

A group of related records

Question 13

Database

Answer 13

a collection of data organized for easy access and manipulation.

Question 14

Programming Language

Answer 14

a vocabulary and set of grammatical rules for instructing a computer or computing device to perform specific tasks

Question 15

Translator Programs

Answer 15

developed to convert assembly language to machine language

Question 16

High-Level Languages

Answer 16

• can execute substantial tasks in single statements

Question 17

Compilers

Answer 17

convert high-level languages into machine languages

-create executable files so you don’t have to compile them many times.

Question 18

Scripting Languages

Answer 18

processed by interpreters

-while may be easier, SLOWER than high level languages.

Question 19

Interpreter Programs

Answer 19

execute high level programs directly

Question 20

c is a ____ language because…

Answer 20

procedureal because it consists of functions.

Question 21

Software Reuse

Answer 21

using existing pieces of code

Question 22

C Standard Library

Answer 22

functions which can be used –> improve program performance and portability

Question 23

Advantages/Disadvantages to writing your own functions…

Answer 23

AD: You’ll know how they work
DIS: Time-Consuming

Question 24

Phases of C Programs (EPCLLE)…

Answer 24

Edit, Preprocess, Compile, Link, Load, Execute

Question 25

Link Phase

Answer 25

using terminal to run program

Question 26

Load Phase

Answer 26

file will load onto memory

Question 27

Preprocess

Answer 27

give the command to compile the program

Question 28

Execute phase

Answer 28

CPU will run file from the memory

Question 29

Fatal Errors

Answer 29

Terminate immediately

Question 30

Non-Fatal Errors

Answer 30

may produce incorrect results

Question 31

stdin

Answer 31

Standard Input stream

Question 32

stdout

Answer 32

Standard Output Stream

Question 33

stderr

Answer 33

Standard Error Stream - used to display errors.

Question 34

Embedded System

Answer 34

systems that the user cannot modify

Question 35

Real-Time System

Answer 35

used for air-traffic control, time is sensitive in these systems

Question 36

Algorithm

Answer 36

a sequence of finite instructions for solving a problem.

Question 37

Characteristics of an Algorithm (IOFDE):

Answer 37

- Input - Output - Finiteness - Definiteness - Effectiveness

Question 38

3 Advantages to Algorithms

Answer 38

- Easy to Understand - Easy to Debug - Can be implemented to any programming language

Question 39

Control/ Logic Structure - 3 things algorithms are made up of

Answer 39

- Sequential Statements - Conditions - Iteration

Question 40

Variables

Answer 40

to label and store data in memory locations

Question 41

Pseudocode

Answer 41

an artificial and informal language that helps develop code

Question 42

Flowchart

Answer 42

A graphical representation of an algorithm or a process (or pseudocode)

Question 43

CERT C Coding Standard

Answer 43

CERT C Coding Standard - guidelines that help you avoid programming practices that open systems to attacks.

Question 44

Counter-Controlled Iteration

Answer 44

count the number of iterations.

Question 45

Sentinel-controlled iteration

Answer 45

the precise number of iterations is unknown

Question 46

echo Linux command

Answer 46

Repeats the message

Question 47

pwd Linux command

Answer 47

says the directory

Question 48

mkdir Linux command

Answer 48

create a folder

Question 49

cd Linux command

Answer 49

change directory

Question 50

ls Linux command

Answer 50

list the files in the current directory

Question 51

gcc Linux command

Answer 51

for compiling a c program; gcc -Wall firstPrg.c -o myProg

Question 52

Symbols for a flowchart: 1. Begin/End 2. Input/Output 3. Process 4. Decision

Answer 52

1. Circle 2. Parallelogram 3. Rectangle 4. Diamond