PROGRAMMING

Task & Algorithm

The conceptual problem and the step-by-step solution.

Program

The algorithm expressed in a specific programming language.

Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)

The boundary between software and hardware.

Microarchitecture

The physical implementation that executes the instructions.

Machine Language

A language consisting of binary-coded instructions built into a computer's hardware and used directly by the CPU.

Characteristics of Machine Language

Every processor type has its own specific Instruction Set, and instructions typically perform only one very basic task.

Assembly Language

A low-level language that replaces binary opcodes with mnemonics and replaces binary addresses with names.

Assembler

A program that translates assembly language code into machine code.

Compiler

A program that translates a high-level language (like C++ or Java) into machine code or an intermediate code all at once before execution.

Source Code

The high-level instructions written by the programmer.

Translation (in Compiling)

The compiler checks for syntax errors and converts the code.

Object Code

The machine language version produced by the compiler.

Pseudocode

A way to express algorithms using a mixture of English and programming logic without worrying about strict syntax.

Variables (in Pseudocode)

Used to store data.

Selection (Control Flow)

Choosing between different paths of execution using IF, ELSE IF, and ELSE statements.

Repetition (Looping)

Repeating a series of statements as long as a condition is met (e.g., WHILE loops).

Test Plan

Specifies how many times and with what data the program must be run.

Code Coverage (White Box/Clear Box)

Designing test cases by looking at the internal logic and structure of the code itself.

Data Coverage (Black Box)

Designing test cases based on the range of allowable input and output data values, without looking at the internal code.

Implementation (in Testing)

Using the test cases to verify that the program produces the expected results.