1.0 - Introduction

Question 1

What does a Computer Program do?

Answer 1

More fine grained approach than hand calculations or spreadsheets perform a set of calculations via algorithms/functions/classes.

Question 2

What is Visual Scripting?

Answer 2

Form of computer programming where the input variables are represented by user interactive components (e.g. sliders).

Question 3

What are the positives of Hand Calculations?

Answer 3

• Transparency in the calculation method
• Quick process for small number of calculations
• Usually required for formal calculations

Question 4

What are the negatives of Hand Calculations?

Answer 4

• Human Error is problematic and difficult to spot
• Takes a long time with large numbers of calculations

Question 5

What are the positives of Spreadsheets?

Answer 5

• Very robust for quality control
• Good for investigating problems a few dozen times
• Suitable for routine design calculations

Question 6

What are the negatives of Spreadsheets?

Answer 6

• Difficult to trace back steps

Question 7

What are the positives of Programming?

Answer 7

• Very robust for quality control
• Scales well for larger problems
• Suited for automation of large repetitive problems

Question 8

What are the negatives of Programming?

Answer 8

• Only feasible for someone with programming skills
• Needs to be a high investment in learning the skills

Question 9

What are the positives of Visual Scripting?

Answer 9

• Visual debugging is very effective
• Easy to pick up and learn

Question 10

What are the negatives of Visual Scripting?

Answer 10

• Tracing back is challenging
• Becomes sluggish for larger problems