problem solving and programming

What is top-down design?

Breaking a problem into smaller, manageable subproblems (decomposition).

What is decomposition in programming?

Splitting a complex problem into simpler parts.

What is a structure chart?

A diagram showing the hierarchy and relationships of modules/subprograms in a program.

Define abstraction in programming.

Removing unnecessary details to focus on essential features.

What are two types of abstraction?

Representational abstraction and generalisation.

What is a trace table?

A table used to follow and record the values of variables during program execution.

Why use trace tables?

To debug programs and check for logical errors.

What is structured programming?

A programming paradigm using sequence, selection, and iteration with subroutines.

What are subroutines?

Functions or procedures that perform specific tasks in a program.

What is the difference between a function and a procedure?

Functions return a value; procedures do not.

What is iteration?

Repeating a block of code using loops like for, while, or repeat-until.

What is selection in programming?

Making decisions using conditional statements like if, else, switch.

What is a pseudocode?

A simplified, language-agnostic code representation used for planning algorithms.

How can modular programming improve software?

By breaking code into reusable, independent modules that are easier to manage and test.

What is the main advantage of top-down design?

It simplifies complex problems and improves program clarity and maintainability.

What is generalisation in abstraction?

Removing details that vary to create a broader, more reusable concept.

What are common errors found by using trace tables?

Logical errors, incorrect variable updates, infinite loops.

What is the difference between syntax errors and logical errors?

Syntax errors violate language rules; logical errors produce incorrect results despite running.