software development Flashcards
(19 cards)
What’s an editor ?
Allows a programmer to enter, format and edit source code to produce a program.
What’s a compiler ?
Converts source code into executable machine code to allow a program to be run
Once compiled, a program can be run at any time
What’s an interpreter ?
Converts each line of code into machine code and executes it as each line of code is run
The conversion process is required for a program to run and is performed each time the program needs to be
What’s a linker ?
This a program which allows previously compiled code, from software libraries, to be lined together to produce a single executable program
What’s a loader ?
Loads previously compiled code into memory, allowing a program to execute
What’s a debugger ?
Assists in error checking by helping locate, identify and rectify errors in a program
What’s a trace ?
This is a facility that assists in error checking by displaying the order in which the lines of a program are executed, and possibly the values of variables as the program is being run
What’s a breakpoint ?
This is a facility that assists in error checking by interrupting a program on a specific line of code, allowing the programmer to compare the values of variables against expected values
What’s a variable watch ?
Assists in error checking by displaying 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
Or, it will interrupt the program if the watched variable reaches a specified value
What’s a memory inspector ?
A facility which will display the contents of a section of memory and allows content to be checked for errors
What’s a syntax error detection/ error diagnostic?
These are used when a program fails to compile or to run
Error messages are displayed to help the programmer more easily to diagnose what has gone wrong
What’s automatic formatting ?
Correctly indents code
What’s automatic line numbering ?
Helps the programmer locate errors
What’s automatic colour coding ?
Changes key words, literals and annotation to a different colour
What’s a library ?
A library is a collection of commonly used private functions and subprograms.
Examples include square roots and random number generators
These can be called from within your program at any stage
What are routines/ subroutines ?
These could be functions/ routines created by the user to create reusable code
What are standard functions ?
These can include mathematical operations such as square roots
What’s statement completion ?
IDE will complete a statement such as adding an “end if” to an if statement
What’s code optimisation ?
Warning messages when variables have been declared but not used
