APCSP Quiz Study

What is the iterative development process?

The process by which computer programs are designed, developed, and tested in repeated cycles.

What does iterate mean?

To repeat a process to get a better result each time.

Why is the iterative development process a cycle?

Because testing and feedback are used to improve the program and repeat the process.

What is iteration?

Repeatedly applying a process to come closer to a solution.

What is incremental development?

Breaking a problem, it’s a smaller pieces and ensuring each piece works before adding more.

What does it mean to debug a program?

To identify and remove errors from a computer program.

What is innovating?

Creating something new with potential value and making it real.

Why is testing important and development?

And helps find problems and improve program

Why is feedback important in development?

It helps programmers make improvements.

What should programmers consider during development?

User concerns and programmer concerns

What is an algorithm?

A finite set of instructions that accomplishes a specific task

What is the purpose of an algorithm?

To solve a problem

What is a real world example of an algorithm?

A recipe

Why must algorithms be precise?

So they can be executed exactly as indeed

What does finite mean in an algorithm?

The algorithm has a limited number of steps

What are the three major parts of many algorithms?

Sequencing selection and iteration

What is sequencing?

Executing instructions in order

What is selection?

Choosing actions using conditions such as IF statements

What is iteration in algorithms?

Repeating instructions until the condition is met

Why are all steps in an algorithm important?

Every step contributes to solving the problem

What happens if a step is skipped or changed?

The algorithm may not work correctly

What is an imperative statement?

A command statement with the verb phrase

Give an example of an imperative statement

Move forward

What is a descriptive qualifier?

A word that provides additional detail

Given an example of a descriptive qualifier

Left shoe

Why are descriptive qualifiers important?

They make instructions more specific

What is a natural language?

A language that evolved naturally among humans

Give example examples of natural language languages

English Spanish, Arabic Chinese

What is a weakness of natural languages?

Ambiguity

What does ambiguity?

Begin open to more than one interpretation

Why is ambiguity a problem for computers?

Computers require precise instructions

What is an artificial language?

A language created for a specific purpose

Why are programming languages considered artificial language?

They were designed for communication with computers

Why are artificial languages useful?

They are structured and unambiguous

What is a high level language?

A programming language that is easier for humans to read and write

Give examples of higher level languages

Python Java scratch

What is a low level language?

A language that communicates closely with hardware

Give examples of low level languages

Assembly language and machine language

Which language type is easier for humans

High-level languages

Which language type is closer to hardware

Low low languages

Which language has more abstraction?

High level languages

Which level has less abstraction?

Low level languages

What does binary

A pattern of 0s and 1s used by computers

What is a bit

A binary digit

What values can a bit have

0 or 1

What is machine code

Instructions represented by binary numbers

What does CPU directly understand?

Machine code

Why is machine code difficult for humans

It consists of binary numbers

What is source code

Programs written in high level languages

Who writes source code

Programmers

What is a compilation

Translating source code into machine code,

Why is compilation necessary

Computers understand machine code, not source code

What is produced after compilation?

Machine code

What is abstraction?

Removing or suppressing details to manage complexity

Why is abstraction useful?

It makes complex systems easier to understand

Which language type uses more abstraction

High-level languages

How does abstraction help programmers

It allows them to focus on important details

What does abstraction hide?

Lower level details

What does CPU stand for?

Central processing unit

What is the CPU often called?

The brain of the computer

What does the CPU do?

Execute instructions and performs calculations

Where does the CPU get instructions from?

Memory RAM

What is a CPU process?

Binary instructions

What happens after the CPU performs calculations?

Results are stored in memory and sent to output devices

What does RAM stand for?

Random access memory

What is RAM used for?

Temporary storage while programs are running

Is RAM temporary or permanent?

Temporary

Why does the CPU use RAM?

To quickly access needed information

What happens to RAM when power is turned off?

The information is lost

What is a process?

An instance of a program running on a computer

When does a process begin?

When a program starts running

When does a process end?

When the program stops running

Can a computer run multiple processes

Yes

Give an example of a process

Opening a Web browser

What is input?

Information entered into a computer

Give examples of input

Mouse clicks, keyboard presses, touchscreen taps

What is output?

Information displayed or produced by a computer

Give examples of output

Monitor displays speakers printers

What are the four major parts of a process?

Input, memory, RAM, CPU, output

What happens first when opening a program

Input

What happens after input?

Instructions are sent to the CPU

What does the CPU use during processing?

Information stored in RAM

What happens after processing?

Output is displayed

What is processor clock speed measured in

Gigahertz

What is a higher clock speed generally mean?

More instructions can be executed per second

Approximately how many instructions per second can a 2.8 GHz processor execute?

About 2.8 billion

Do modern computers usually have one processor core or multiple courses

Multiple courses

What are the three main building blocks of algorithms?

Sequencing selections and iteration

What is the difference between source code and machine code?

Source code is written by humans. Machine code is binary. Understood by computer computers.

What is the difference between RAM and the CPU

RAM uses temporary data the CPU processes instructions

What is the difference between natural and artificial languages?

Natural language is evolved among humans artificial languages are designed for specific purposes

What’s the relationship between compilation and machine code

Compilation convert source code into machine code

Which component performs calculations

CPU

Which component temporarily stored information

RAM

Why is abstraction important?

Reduces complexity and makes systems easier to understand