scripting from doc

Purpose of a variable: To store data that can be used and changed during program execution

How to save a value to a variable: Use an assignment statement, e.g., x = 5

Programming expression: A combination of variables, values, and operators that computes a value, e.g., a + b * 2.

Identifier: A name used to identify a variable, function, or other entity in code

Valid identifier: Must start with a letter or underscore, followed by letters, digits, or underscores; cannot be a reserved word.

Literal: A fixed value written directly in code, like 5, "hello", or 3.14

Operator: A symbol that performs an operation on one or more operands, e.g., +, -, *, /.

Precedence rules: Determine the order in which operations are performed; e.g., multiplication/division before addition/subtraction.

Integer vs. float: An Integer is a whole number; a float is a number with a decimal point.

Dividing two integers: Result is an integer in some languages (integer division), or a float in others (true division). Integer and float division yield a float

Dividing a nonzero float by zero: Results in infinity or an error, depending on the language.

Convert an item’s type: Use type conversion functions, e.g., int("5") or float(3)

Modulo operator: Returns the remainder after division, e.g., 7 % 3 is 1.

Variable vs. constant: A Variable can change value; a constant cannot.

How an array works: Stores multiple values in a single variable, accessed by index.

Index reference: Refers to the position of an item in an array, starting at 0 in most languages.

Purpose of data types: Define the kind of data (integer, float, string, etc.) and what operations can be performed.

Compiled vs. interpreted language: Compiled languages are translated to machine code before running; interpreted languages are run line-by-line by an interpreter.

Compiled languages: C, C++, Java (to bytecode), Go.

Interpreted languages: Python, JavaScript, Ruby.

Statically vs. dynamically typed: Statically typed languages require variable types at compile time; dynamically typed languages determine types at runtime.

Statically typed languages: C, Java.

Dynamically typed languages: Python, JavaScript.

Object-oriented vs. non-object-oriented: Object-oriented languages use objects and classes; non-object-oriented do not.

Object-oriented languages: Java, Python, C++.

Not object-oriented: C, older BASIC.

Markup vs. programming/scripting language: Markup languages (such as HTML) describe the structure and presentation; programming/scripting languages perform computations and implement logic.

Programming library: A collection of pre-written code for common tasks

Why use libraries: To save time and avoid rewriting code for common functions

Libraries compiled or precompiled: Can be either; some are compiled, some are precompiled, and some are interpreted

Uses Programming Elements (20%)Functions & Control Structures

Branch vs. loop: Branch (if/else) chooses between actions; loop repeats actions.

If-else branch: Executes one block if the condition is true, another if false.

Equality operator: Checks if two values are equal (==); works for most data types, but behavior may vary (e.g., floats).

Four relational operators:

Three logical operators: and, or, not.

Precedence rules: Logical NOT > AND > OR; arithmetic before comparison.

Infinite loop: Created when the loop condition never becomes false, e.g., while True:.

Sentinel value: A Special value that signals the end of input or a loop.

Three parts of a loop: Initialization, condition, and update.

While vs. do/while loop: While checks the condition before the loop; do/while checks after (runs at least once).

Control structure guaranteed to run once: Do/while loop.

Loop for unknown iterations: While loop.

Loop for known iterations: For loop.

Function: A named block of code that performs a task.

Why functions are useful: Organize code, avoid repetition, improve readability.

Function call: Executes the function.

Parameters and arguments: Parameters are variables in a function definition; arguments are values passed in.

Define but don’t call the function: Code is not executed.

Return statement: Sends a value back from a function.

Explains Logic and Outcome of Algorithms (40%)Software Design, Algorithms, UML

Binary search: Efficiently finds an item in a sorted list by repeatedly dividing the search interval in half.

Linear search: Checks each item in a list sequentially until the item is found or the end of the list is reached.

SDLC: Software Development Life Cycle; a process for developing software.

Four phases of SDLC: Analysis, Design, Implementation, Testing.

Activities in each phase:

Analysis: Gather requirements.

Design: Plan solution, create diagrams.

Implementation: Write code.

Testing: Verify and validate the solution.

Phase for writing code: Implementation.

Waterfall vs. Agile: Waterfall is sequential, while Agile is iterative and flexible.

UML: Universal Modeling Language, a standard way to visualize system design.

Structural UML diagrams: Class, object, component, deployment diagrams.

Behavioral UML diagrams: Use case, sequence, activity, state diagrams.

Activity diagrams: Show workflows of stepwise activities.

UML diagrams in analysis: Use case, activity.

UML diagrams in design: Class, sequence.

UML diagrams in implementation: Component, deployment.

UML diagrams in testing: Activity, sequence.

Use case diagram: Shows the system’s functional requirements and interactions.

Class diagram: Shows classes, attributes, methods, and relationships.

Sequence diagram: Shows object interactions in time sequence.