Section 02: Algorithms and Programming

Question 1

Define:

Algorithm:

Answer 1

A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem accomplishing some end

Ex: Recipe, assembly instructions, pseudocode, flowchart

Question 2

What are the flowchart instructions?

Answer 2

Question 3

Define

Program:

Answer 3

Translation of the algorithm using programming languages

Structure and details crucial

Question 4

Define

Programming Languages

Answer 4

Formal languages designed communicate instructions to a computer

Low-Level vs. High-Level

Programs translate high to machine language:

1. Compilers
2. Interpreters

Question 5

Differentiate

“Low-Level” and “High-Level” Programming Languages

Answer 5

1. ”Low-Level” Languages: Language “spoken” by computer (binary systems)
   
   • Hardware specific - must be specially made each brand computer

Categories:

1. *Machine language*: Directly understood computer & needs no translation (0100111100) 
2. *Assembly language*: Easier humans understand than machine codes 

2. ”High-Level” Languages: PL use English and mathematical symbols to communicate instructions
   
   • Easier to read & program
   • Programs are PORTABLE (run on different kinds of computers)

Question 6

Define

Compiler

Answer 6

• Translates high-level
• Once compiled, be run over and over again without needing to be retranslated

Question 7

Define

Interpreters

Answer 7

• Translates source code line-by-line during execution
• No object code or executable
• If run code again, need run interpreters again

Question 8

What is “Python”?

Answer 8

(1) High-level language & (2) interpreted language & (3) named after Monty Python

Advantages:

1. Easy & concise
2. Lots build-in functionality free and open source
3. Can create pretty much any application
   - Write using text editor

Question 9

Define

Integerated Development Environment (IDE)

Answer 9

A program can be written using: An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) → Thonny ex

• Made specially for writing code:
  
  1. Syntax highlighting, auto-completion
  2. Can run code directly in IDE
  3. Debugging tools

Question 10

Define

“Statement”

Ex: Print Statement

Answer 10

• The Statement: Line of code preforms basic operation
  
  • Above: print statement and parenthesis indicates that print is a function in python

// “print statement” use to disply specific stat

print(“Hello World!”)

Question 11

Code

Comments (#)

Answer 11

• Comments: Annotations (#)Function:
  • Make easier read and understands
  • Choosing a good variable name can reduce num comments

Question 12

Define

Bugs and Debugging

Answer 12

Bugs: Incorrect/unexpected results & process tracking down mistake ⇒ Debugging

Question 13

Define & Code

Escape Sequences

Answer 13

Escape sequences: sequence characters represents special character

(1) \n represents character “newline”
(2) \” or \’ represent quotation mark
(3) \t represents a tab

Question 14

Define

Values

Answer 14

Basic things a program works with like n letter or num
- 2: integer
- 42.0: floating number point
- “Hello world”: string

If not sure about type of value; use type() to find out