COMP APPS - EXAM2

Algorithm

A step-by-step set of instructions used to solve a problem or complete a task.

Program

A set of coded instructions written in a programming language that a computer can execute.

Heuristic Approach

A problem-solving method that uses practical rules or experience-based techniques to find a solution quickly, even if it’s not perfect.

Input

Data or information given to a computer or program to be processed.

Output

The result or information produced by a computer or program after processing input.

Definiteness

Every step in an algorithm must be clearly defined and unambiguous.

Effectiveness

Each step in an algorithm must be simple, practical, and possible to perform.

Finiteness

An algorithm must eventually stop after a finite number of steps.

Pseudocode

A simplified, human-readable version of code used to design algorithms without using actual programming syntax.

Variable Initialization

Giving a variable its first value when it is created.

Boolean Expressions

Expressions that evaluate to either true or false.

Assignment Statement

A statement that stores a value into a variable.

Relational Operators

Operators that compare values.

Logical Operators

Operators that combine or modify Boolean expressions.

Arithmetic Operators

Operators used for math calculations.

Operator Overload

When the same operator performs different actions depending on the data type.

Concatenation

Joining strings (text) together.

Debug

To find and fix errors (bugs) in a program.

Reproducible

Producing the same results every time when the same steps, inputs, and conditions are used.

Redundancy

Used to resolve hardware failures by having computers perform computations of a safety critical system and make decisions based on majority vote.

Specification

A detailed description of what a system or program is supposed to do and the requirements it must meet.

Fail-Safe

A system design where, if something goes wrong, the system switches to a safe mode to prevent harm or damage.

Fail-Soft

A system design where, if part of the system fails, it continues operating with reduced functionality instead of stopping completely.

GUI (Graphical User Interface)

A visual way for users to interact with a computer using windows, icons, buttons, and menus instead of text commands.

Event

An action or occurrence detected by a program (such as a mouse click, key press, or screen touch).

Event Handler

A piece of code that runs in response to a specific event (like clicking a button or pressing a key).

Off-By-One Error

A common programming mistake where a loop runs one time too many or one time too few (usually due to incorrect index boundaries).

Variable

A named storage location in a program that holds a value which can change while the program runs.

Compile-Time Error

Errors that occur while the program is being translated from source code into executable code (Type Mismatch).

Run-Time Errors

Errors that occur while the program is running, after compilation (Division by zero).

Logic Errors

Errors where the program runs without crashing but produces incorrect or unexpected results (Addition instead of subtraction).

Array

A collection of elements (values) stored in a single variable, accessed by position.

Index

The position number of an element in an array (usually starts at 0).

Infinite Loop

A loop that never stops because its condition is always true.

Initiazer List

A way to assign starting values to an array or variables when they are created.

Iteration

One complete pass through a loop.

Loop

A programming structure that repeats a block of code while a condition is true.

Nested Loop

A loop inside another loop.

Increment

Increasing a variable’s value, usually by 1.

Function + Benefit

A block of code designed to perform a particular task. With functions, you can reuse code, you can write code that can be used many times.

Prompt

A pop-up box that asks the user to type something, and returns what they typed as a string.

Button

A clickable element that runs Javascript when the user clicks it.

Radio Button

A radio button lets the user choose one option from a list.

Text Box

A text box (text input) lets the user type a line of text.

What are the different parts of a loop?

Initialization (var i = 0), Condition (i < 10), Update (increment/decrement) [i++], Body (the code inside the {}).