Programming 2012/13

Question 1

What is computation?

Answer 1

Computation is a general term for any type of information processing that can be represented mathematically (e.g. simple calculations, human thinking(?)).

In a more narrow meaning:
Computation is a process following a well defined model that is understood and can be expressed in an algorithm.

Question 2

What is CompSci?

Answer 2

Applied Mathematics.
Research into what is computable.
Solving problems and optimization of solutions in time and space.

Question 3

CompSci Subdisciplines:

Answer 3

• Technical (Digital Circuits, Robots, Networks) - embodied approach
• Practical (Algorithms, Data Structures, Programming)
• Theoretical (Math, Formal Languages, Complexity)
• Applied (Operating Systems, Applications, Web)

Question 4

Name of the first programmer?

Answer 4

Ada Lovelace

Question 5

Name some parts of a von Neumann architecture!

Answer 5

Bus, CPU, RAM, ROM, HD, Monitor, Keyboard

Question 6

Levels of abstraction in a computer:

Answer 6

Internet
Apps
Operating System
High-Level Language (compiled, interpreted)
Assembly
Machine Language
Logic Gates and Binary
FET (Field Effect Transistor)

Question 7

HW/SW

Answer 7

The distinction is irrelevant. Computer is build to transform one level of abstraction into another -> moving up and down on the levels of abstraction

Question 8

Classes of computation:

Answer 8

• digital vs. analog
• sequential vs. parallel
• batch vs. interactive

Question 9

Name to interpreted programming languages!

Answer 9

C and C++

Question 10

Name one interpreted language and a special case!

Answer 10

Python
Java (both compiled and interpreted)

Question 11

Who is Boolean Logic named after?

Answer 11

George Boole

Question 12

What does identity, tautology, contradiction and negation mean?

Answer 12

id taut contr neg
11 1 0 0
00 1 0 1

Question 13

How can mathematics be defined?

Answer 13

It is the building of interesting systems. (our number system seems to be very interesting)

Question 14

What does an axiom do?

Answer 14

It postulates what we require of a formal system (rules).

Question 15

5 Axioms for natural numbers:

Answer 15

1. 0 is a natural number.
2. For every natural number n, S(n) is a natural number.
3. For every natural number n, S(n) = 0 is false.
4. For all natural numbers n and m, if S(n) = S(m), then m = n.
5. If U is a set such that: 0 is in U, and for every natural number n, if n is in U, then S(n) is in U, then U contains every natural number.

Question 16

What do digits represent in binary?

Answer 16

Every digit represents an increasing power of 2.

From right to left: 2^0, 2^1, 2^2

Question 17

What does the IPO Principle stand for?

Answer 17

Input -> Processing -> Output