C++

C++ Chapter 1 — Must Know Tonight

Tier 1 — MUST MEMORIZE

These are the things I would be able to answer without thinking.

1. The 3 phases of software development

Development & Design → Documentation → Maintenance

⚠ Do NOT confuse this with the 4 steps of Phase I.

2. The 4 steps of Development & Design

Analyze → Develop → Code → Test

• Analyze: Determine inputs and outputs

• Develop: Create the algorithm

• Code: Write the C++ program

• Test: Find and correct errors

Easy memory:

A-D-C-T

Analyze → Develop → Code → Test

3. What is an algorithm?

An algorithm is a step-by-step sequence of instructions used to process data and produce the desired output.

It must terminate.

4. The 4 programming structures

Memory trick:

S-S-I-I

• Sequence = order

• Selection = choice

• Iteration = repeat

• Invocation = call

5. Testing vs. debugging

Testing: Determines whether the program works correctly and meets requirements.

Bug: An error in a program.

Debugging: Locate the error → correct it → verify the correction.

⚠ Testing can reveal errors, but it does NOT guarantee that there are no errors.

🟠 Tier 2 — VERY IMPORTANT

These are highly testable definitions/comparisons.

6. Software engineering

Software engineering focuses on creating programs/systems that are:

Readable + Efficient + Reliable + Maintainable

7. Computer program

A computer program is a self-contained set of instructions used to operate a computer and produce a specific result.

Also called software.

8. Pseudocode vs. flowchart vs. formula

• Pseudocode → English-like description of an algorithm

• Flowchart → Diagram showing an algorithm

• Formula → Mathematical equation

9. Compiler vs. interpreter

Compiler

Translates all statements → stores executable/object program → executes later

Interpreter

Translates one statement → executes it immediately → moves to next

Memory trick:

Compiler = Complete first

Interpreter = Immediately

And remember:

C++ is predominantly compiled.

10. Low-level vs. high-level languages

Low-level

Closely tied to a particular computer.

Examples:

• Machine language

• Assembly language

High-level

More like human/written language and can work across different computer types.

Examples:

• C

• C++

• Java

• Visual Basic

11. Machine language

Machine language is the only type of program that can directly operate a computer.

It uses binary (0s and 1s).

12. Assembly language

Uses word-like symbols such as:

• ADD

• SUB

• MUL

An assembler translates assembly language into machine language.

🟡 Tier 3 — KNOW THESE

13. Procedural vs. object-oriented programming

Procedural

Programs are organized around procedures/instructions.

Object-oriented

Programs use objects containing data and code that can be reused.

C++?

Both procedural AND object-oriented.

14. Application vs. system software

Application software

Used for specific user tasks.

System software

Operates/controls the computer system.

Example of system software:

Operating system

15. What does the operating system do?

Know these four:

• Memory management

• CPU-time allocation

• Input/output control

• Secondary storage management

16. Bootstrap loader → POST

When a computer starts:

Bootstrap loader → POST → boot process/system starts

POST = Power-On Self-Test

17. Hardware components

Know what each does:

• ALU → Arithmetic and logic

• Control Unit → Directs/monitors operations

• Memory Unit → Stores instructions/data

• I/O Unit → Communicates with peripheral devices

• Secondary Storage → Permanent/nonvolatile storage

18. CPU

The CPU/microprocessor combines:

ALU + Control Unit

This is an easy quiz question.

🟢 Tier 4 — EASY POINTS

19. Bit vs. byte

Bit = smallest unit of data → 0 or 1

Byte = 8 bits → represents one character

20. ASCII

ASCII = American Standard Code for Information Interchange

It's a character code that represents characters using patterns of 0s and 1s.

21. Word

A word is a grouping of one or more bytes.

The number of bytes in a word affects the amount/range of data that can be stored.