CC101 Quiz 1

Flashcards covering the fundamentals of programming, the history of programming languages, PDLC phases, translation methods, syntax vs. semantics, and the basics of algorithms, pseudocode, and flowcharts.

Programming

A technological process for telling a computer which tasks to perform in order to solve problems, often viewed as a collaboration between humans and computers.

Machine Language

The first generation of programming languages ($1940\text{s}$) written entirely in binary code ($0\text{s}$ and $1\text{s}$) which is understood directly by the Central Processing Unit (CPU).

Assembly Language

The second generation of programming languages ($1950\text{s}$) that uses short mnemonics like MOV and ADD to represent machine instructions.

Mnemonics

Human-readable representations of machine instructions, such as MOV for 'move' or ADD for 'add,' used in assembly language.

Assembler

A tool needed to convert assembly code into machine language.

High-level Languages (HLLs)

The third generation of programming languages ($1960\text{s}$ - $1980\text{s}$) like C, C++, and Java, which use English-like syntax and are portable across different systems.

Declarative Languages

Fourth-generation languages ($4\text{GLs}$) that focus on what the program should accomplish rather than detailing the step-by-step implementation.

Fifth Generation Languages

Programming languages centered on artificial intelligence and logic, where programmers describe facts and rules rather than specific procedures.

Coding

The technical process of transforming programming ideas into a written language that a computer can understand.

Source Code

The set of instructions or the 'DNA' of a software application written in a specific programming language like Python or C++.

Problem Definition

The first phase of the Program Development Life Cycle (PDLC) which involves defining the problem statement and its boundaries.

Problem Analysis

The PDLC phase where requirements are determined, resources are gathered, and variables or functions are identified.

Algorithm Development

The PDLC phase where a step-by-step procedure is created based on the specifications from the analysis phase.

Testing & Debugging

The PDLC phase involving checking if the code solves the problem and provides desired outputs using various input data.

Compilation

The process where a compiler translates the entire source code into machine code to create an independent executable file before runtime.

Interpretation

An execution approach where an interpreter reads and executes source code line by line dynamically during runtime.

Syntax

The specific rules and structure of a programming language, similar to grammar, that must be followed for the code to run.

Semantics

The meaning or logic behind code statements; it determines if the program's behavior matches the programmer's intent.

Algorithm

A set of finite rules or instructions followed in calculations or problem-solving operations.

Deterministic

A characteristic of an algorithm meaning that the same inputs will always produce the same output.

Finiteness

The characteristic that an algorithm must terminate after a finite amount of time.

Pseudocode

A step-by-step description of an algorithm using simple English text intended for human understanding.

Flowchart

A visual representation or diagram of a process, workflow, or algorithm using specialized symbols and arrows.

Terminal Symbol

A flowcharting shape used to denote the beginning (START) and ending (END) of a process.

Preparation Symbol

A flowcharting shape used for declaring and initializing variables or constants.

Decision-Making Symbol

A diamond-shaped flowchart symbol used for branching to show which alternative paths will be followed.

Input/Output Symbol

A parallelogram-shaped flowchart symbol used for entering data or displaying results.

Process Symbol

A rectangular flowchart symbol used for tasks such as assigning values and performing calculations.