Structured Programming in C Language (ACS113)

Flashcards covering the fundamentals of computer programming, language generations, and the six steps of the programming process based on the ACS113 lecture notes.

Computer Program

A set of instructions following the rules of the chosen language, containing a list of ingredients called variables and a list of directions called statements.

Computer Programmer

Someone who writes, tests, and maintains programs or software that tell the computer what to do.

Programming Language

A vocabulary and set of grammatical rules (syntax) for instructing a computer to perform specific tasks.

Machine Language (1GL)

The computer's native language consisting of binary digits or bits that the computer reads and interprets directly.

Assembly Language (2GL)

A low-level programming language in which a mnemonic is used to represent each machine language instruction.

Assembler

A program used to translate assembly language programs into machine language/machine code.

Mnemonic

A symbol used in assembly language to represent a specific machine language instruction (e.g., mov).

High-level Languages (3GL)

English-like languages, such as BASIC and C, developed to overcome platform-specific problems and provide higher abstraction.

Compiler

A program that converts an entire high-level program into machine language and stores it in an executable file.

Interpreter

A program that reads each high-level program statement and translates it into machine language immediately without creating an executable file.

COBOL

Common Business Oriented Language (1959), used for business applications.

FORTRAN

Formula Translation (1954), developed for applications in mathematics, engineering, and science.

BASIC

Beginner All-purpose Symbolic Instructional Code (1964), designed to make programming easy for the novice.

Pascal

A language developed in the 1960s specifically as a teaching tool, named for Blaise Pascal.

Ada

A language named for Ada Lovelace, used in the defense industry for developing weapon defense systems.

RPG

Report Program Generator, a business-oriented language designed to automate many input and output features.

LISP

List Processing Language, consisting of functions rather than algorithmic steps, used primarily for AI applications.

Fourth-generation Language (4GL)

Very-high-level languages (e.g., SQL and Focus) designed to reduce programming effort, development time, and cost.

Fifth-generation Language (5GL)

Natural languages designed to make the computer solve a given problem without the programmer, often used in Artificial Intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence

The branch of computer science concerned with making computers behave like humans; uses languages like LISP and Prolog.

Prolog

One of the two most common programming languages used almost exclusively for Artificial Intelligence applications.

Programming Step 1: Understand the Problem

Stage involving specifying objectives, users, desired output, input, and processing, while studying feasibility and documenting analysis.

Programming Step 2: Plan the Logic

Designing a solution using a top-down approach and modularization with hierarchy charts, pseudocode, and flowcharts.

Programming Step 3: Code the Program

Selecting the appropriate high-level programming language and writing the code following the syntax carefully.

Programming Step 4: Translate the Program

Compiling the program using the programming language compiler to convert it into machine language.

Programming Step 5: Test the Program

Activities including desk checking to discover errors, debugging, and running the program with real-world data.

Programming Step 6: Put the Program into Production

Making the program an executable file and preparing user, operator, and programmer documentation.

Problem Definition

(Oxford Computing Dictionary) A precise statement of some problem to be solved, emphasizing a complete and unambiguous definition.