CC103 Computer Programming 1 - Introduction to Programming and Program Logic

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on programming and program logic.

Programming

The process of designing a structured plan and translating it into a sequence of actions to solve a problem, using appropriate tools to produce a complete and functional solution.

Computer Programming

The process of planning and writing a sequence of instructions in logical order for a computer to execute, converting data into information to build a solution.

Data Processing Cycle

The set of steps a computer follows to receive data, process it, display results, and store the results (also called the Information Processing Cycle).

Understanding the Problem

The first step: clearly define what you want to do, including input, processing, and output requirements.

Develop the Solution

Creating detailed plans and a plan of what is to be done and when, using tools like algorithms/pseudocode, flowcharts, and structure charts.

Implementation

Writing the source code based on the detailed design of the solution.

Testing

The process of finding and correcting errors in a program (debugging); involves tracing how data moves and is processed.

Bug

An error in a program.

Debugging

The process of finding and fixing errors in a program.

Black Box Testing

Testing the program without knowledge of its internal structure; test plans are based on requirements.

White Box Testing

Testing the program with knowledge of its internal structure to ensure every instruction and possible condition is tested.

Flowchart

A diagrammatic representation of the sequence of operations to solve a problem.

Flowcharting Symbols

Shapes used in flowcharts (e.g., Terminal, Input/Output, Process, Decision, Connectors, Predefined Process).

Terminal

A flowchart symbol representing the Start or End point.

Input/Output

A flowchart symbol representing data input or data output.

Process

A flowchart symbol representing a processing step or operation.

Decision

A flowchart symbol representing a conditional test that directs flow based on yes/no outcomes.

On-page Connector

A flowchart symbol used to connect flow on the same page.

Off-page Connector

A flowchart symbol used to connect flow to another page.

Predefined Process

A flowchart symbol representing a named, reusable process.

Flowchart Guidelines

Rules for flowchart construction, such as starting with START, ending with END, and connecting symbols with arrows.

Documentation

Documentation that accompanies a finished program, including requirements, operating system, and hardware needs.

Maintenance

Updating or refining a program to keep it running smoothly and current with changes in its field.

Programming Languages

A vocabulary and grammar for instructing a computer to perform tasks; includes keywords and syntax.

Syntax

The set of grammatical rules for writing statements in a programming language.

Semantics

The meaning associated with a statement or code within a programming language.

Compilers

Programs that translate a high-level language into machine code before execution.

Interpreters

Programs that translate and execute high-level instructions at runtime.

Source Program

The original program written in a high-level language.

Object Program

The machine language version of a program (machine code) ready to run.

Compiler (in general)

A tool that converts source code to machine language (object code) for execution.

Procedural Programming

A programming paradigm that uses a sequence of instructions and procedures; also called imperative programming or top-down programming.

Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)

A paradigm where computations are performed using objects that have data (attributes) and methods (behaviors).

Object

An element of a program that contains data and can perform actions; an instance created from a class.

Method

A function defined within a class that operates on the object's data.

Class

A blueprint for creating objects; defines attributes and methods; an object is an instance of a class.

Algorithm

A set of well-defined instructions to solve a problem, taking input and producing output.

Pseudocode

A plain-English, simplified representation of an algorithm used before actual coding.

Initialization

Setting initial values before a loop begins.

Input

Data collected by a program for processing.

Process

The transformation or computation that converts input into output.

Output

The result produced after processing the input.

Sum

The result of adding two or more numbers.

Average

The mean value computed from a set of numbers (e.g., (num1 + num2) / 2 for two numbers).

Flowchart Tracing

Following the flow of inputs through a flowchart to determine the outputs.

Repetition/Iteration/Loop

A control structure that repeats a block of code until a condition is met; includes count-controlled and condition-controlled loops.

Count-controlled loop

A loop that runs a fixed number of times based on a counter.

Condition-controlled loop

A loop whose iterations depend on a condition, not a fixed count.

Selection/Conditional

A control structure that executes different code blocks based on a condition (if/else).

Sequence logic

A linear flow where steps are executed in order, each once.

Modular/Procedural

Divide-and-conquer approach: breaking a task into smaller predefined processes or modules.