Software Development

Question 1

How do you find the minimum number in a list?

Answer 1

set min to array(0)

for index = 1 to _ 
if array(index) < min then
min = array(index)
end if 
end for

Question 2

How do you find the maximum number in a list?

Answer 2

set max to array(0)

for index = 1 to _ 
if array(index) > max then
max = array(index)
end if 
end for

Question 3

Count Occurrences

Answer 3

receive target from keyboard
numfound = 0

for index = 1 to _
if array(index) = target then
numfound = numfound + 1
end if 
end for

Question 4

Linear Search (Fixed Loop)

Answer 4

receive target from keyboard
found = false
pos = 0

for index = 1 to _
if array(index) = target then
found = true
pos = index
end if 
end for

Question 5

Where can an actual parameter be found?

Answer 5

Procedure Calls

example: CALL GetDimensions(UserLen, UserBre)

Question 6

Where can a formal parameter be found?

Answer 6

Procedure definitions

example: PROCEDURE GetDimensions(length, breadth)

Question 7

What is meant by ‘the scope of a variable’?

Answer 7

The extent of code in which a variable can be accessed and modified.

Question 8

Where can a global variable be accessed?

Answer 8

From any part of the program.

They do not have to be passed into procedures as parameters because the procedure can access it without doing so.

Question 9

What is a disadvantage of a global variable?

Answer 9

It reduces the modularity of a program and should be avoided wherever possible.

Question 10

Where can a local variable be accessed?

Answer 10

Only within a procedure or function. They are declared within a sub-program.

They are not passed in or out and can only be used in the sub-program they were declared in.

Question 11

What is a disadvantage of using a local variable?

Answer 11

They cannot be accessed from out with their own sub-program, which limits their scope.

Question 12

What is a dry run?

Answer 12

A dry run is the process of a programmer manually working through their code to trace the value of variables. There is no software involved in this process.

The programmer would sit down with a pen and paper and manually follow the value of a variable to check that it was used and updated as expected.

Question 13

What are trace tables used for?

Answer 13

to allow programmers to trace the value of variables as each line of code is executed.

Question 14

What is a breakpoint

Answer 14

A breakpoint is a point in the program where the code will stop executing.

Question 15

What is a watchpoint?

Answer 15

When the code will stop at each individual value in order to check if it is the expected outcome.

Question 16

What is the difference of a function and a procedure?

Answer 16

Function - Returns a single value

Procedure - Returns multiple values

Question 17

Why do programmers refer to data flow?

Answer 17

The data flow will become a he parameters that need to be passed in the program.

Question 18

Why does using procedures and functions improve efficient of code?

Answer 18

Less lines of code as it removes repetition of code

- you can call the same procedure more than once with different parameters.