CS Chapter 6: Low-Level Programming Languages & Pseudocode

What are the operational words of a computer?

Programmable, Store, Retrieve, and Process.

Virtual Computer

A hypothetical machine that is designed to contain important features of real computers.

Assembly Language

A language that assigns mnemonic letter codes to each machine-language instruction.

Assembler

A program that reads each of the instructions in mnemonic form and translates it into the machine-language equivalent.

Assembler Directives

Instructions directed to the assembler.

Algorithm

The plan for a solution, in computing.

Pseudocode

A language that allows us to express algorithms in a clearer form.

Variables

Names that appear in pseudocode algorithms that refer to places in memory where values are stored.

Assignment

The way to put value into a variable.

Selection

Allows a choice between performing an action, and skipping it.

Repetition

Allows instructions to be repeated.

Boolean Expression

An expression used in programming languages that produces a Boolean value—either true or false—when evaluated.

Desk Checking

When you check through the design and work through the design.

Test Plan

A document that specifies how many times and which data a program must be run to thoroughly run the program.

Code Coverage (Clear-Box Testing)

An approach that designs test cases to ensure that each statement in the program is executed.

Data Coverage (Black-Box Testing)

Designing test cases to ensure that the limits of allowable data are covered.

Test Plan Implementation

This involves running each of the test cases in the test plan, and recording the results.