Recording-2025-03-05T00:26:18.828Z

String Manipulation

• Substring: A method to extract a portion of a string based on specified starting and ending index numbers.

  • Example using the word "hello":

    • If given substring(3, 5), it extracts from index 3 to, but not including, index 5.

    • This results in "lo" (not "lod" or "l").

• Indexing:

  • Starts from 0, meaning:

    • h = 0

    • e = 1

    • l = 2

    • l = 3

    • o = 4

  • Length of "hello": 5 characters.

  • If asked where "chart" at index 8 is, you would find "e".

Boolean Variables

• Understand the state of a boolean variable:

  • It can resolve to either true or false.

  • Important for control structures in programming.

Loop Structures

• Familiarity required with different types of loops:

  • While Loops: Repeats code as long as a specified condition is true.

  • Do While Loops: Similar to while, but guarantees the code runs at least once.

  • For Loops: Executes a block of code a specific number of times.

Code Blocks

• A block of code is defined by open and closing brackets (e.g., { ... }).

  • Variables declared inside a block have local scope—I.e., they cannot be accessed outside that block.

  • Example:

    • If int l = 1,000,000,000; is declared inside a block, trying to access it outside causes an error.

Increment and Decrement Operators

• Understand how operators work in coding:

  • Plus Equal (+=): Adds a value to a variable.

  • Plus Plus (++): Increases a variable’s value by one.

  • Minus Minus (--): Decreases a variable’s value by one.

Test Preparation

• Students encouraged to create a comprehensive set of notes (at least 5 pages)

  • Focus on

    • String manipulation (like substring)

    • Boolean state evaluations

    • Loop characteristics and implementations

    • Understanding of control structures and how they relate to output

• Be aware of pitfalls during the test, like misidentifying variable scopes.

• There’s a curve for grading and an extended time (120 minutes) for the test compared to a typical 75 minute exam.