Introduction To Programming Mid-Term Flash

Problem Statement

A written description of the problem the program is intended to solve.

Problem Decomposition

The process of breaking a large problem into smaller, easier-to-solve parts.

Logical Group of Work

A related set of steps that work together to complete one part of a larger solution.

Algorithm

A step-by-step process used to solve a problem or complete a task.

Pseudocode

A plain-language plan for code. It describes what the program should do without requiring exact programming syntax.

Program Flow

The order in which instructions are executed in a program.

Sequence

A control structure where instructions run in order from top to bottom.

Selection

A control structure where the program chooses between paths using a condition.

Condition

A true-or-false expression used to control decisions or loops.

Conditional Statement

A programming structure that runs different code depending on whether a condition is true or false.

Repetition

What is it called when a control structure repeats a block of code.

Loop

A structure that repeats code while a condition remains true or for each item in a collection.

Sentinel Value

A special value that signals a loop should stop.

Variable

A named storage location for data used by the program.

Assignment

The process of storing a value in a variable using an ‘=’

Data Type

The kind of value stored in a variable, such as string, integer, float, or Boolean.

String

Text data stored inside quotation marks.

Integer

A whole number without a decimal.

Boolean

A true-or-false value.

Collection

A structure that stores multiple values together.

List

A Python collection that stores multiple values in order.

Append

A list operation that adds a value to the end of a list.

Index

The position of an item in a list. Begins at zero.

Iteration

One pass through a loop.

Function

A named group of code that performs a task.

Function Definition

The code that creates a function.

Function Call

The instruction that runs a function.

Function Body

The indented code inside a function.

Parameter

A variable listed in a function definition that receives incoming data.

Argument

The actual value supplied when a function is called.

Parameter

A local variable listed in a function definition. It names information the function needs.

Argument

A value passed into a function call.

Return

A keyword that sends a value out of a function.

Return Value

The value a function gives back after it finishes. Data sent back from a function to the place where it was called.

Local Variable

A variable created inside a function or available only within a limited area of the program.

Global Variable

A variable created outside functions that can be accessed more broadly in the file.

Scope

The part of the program where a variable can be accessed.

Function Responsibility

The specific job a function is designed to perform.

Single Responsibility

The design idea that a function should usually focus on one main job.

Reusability

The ability to use the same code multiple times without rewriting it.

Maintainability

How easy code is to read, update, debug, and improve.

Modularity

The practice of building a program from smaller, organized pieces.