Interpreting and Correcting Algorithms: Computer Science OCR: GCSE (9:1)

Syntax error

Coding error where the rules of the language have been broken, e.g. a missing punctuation mark or keyword such as print(hello")

Runtime error

Any error that occurs while the program is running and stops execution, including division by zero and using an unknown variable

Logic error

An error that occurs when code compiles and runs, but doesn't perform correctly. E.g. using > instead of >=. It is detected by systematic testing with a trace table

Test plan

A plan for testing a program in a structured way. Includes test data and expected results. Proper testing with one of these can find logic errors and prevent runtime errors

Trace table

A testing tool that finds logic errors. It records the values of variables at each point during execution, so you can see where the program code does something you didn't intend

Sequence

Selection

Iteration

Compiler

Syntax errors will be found by this program, it checks the high-level code and translates it to machine code

Grammar

Another word for syntax, it is the rules of a language. Writing code that does not follow these rules causes a syntax error

Terminal

This shape starts and stops an algorithm

Process

This shape is used for a process such as calculating or sorting

Decision

This shape is used to perform selection based on a condition e.g. "if age > 18"

Input/Output

This shape is used to show data entering or leaving the algorithm (I_______/O_______)

Subprogram

This shape indicates a call to a subprogram (which you can write in another flowchart)