12. Software Engineering

Question 1

What is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)?

Answer 1

An IDE is a set of tools and related functionality designed to maximise a programmer’s productivity.

Question 2

What are the features of IDEs?

Answer 2

• compiler
• interpreter
• source code editor
• syntax highlighting
• automatic formatting
• automatic colour coding
• intelligent auto-completion of instructions

Question 3

What is a compiler?

Answer 3

Translates source code into machine code.

Question 4

What is an interpreter?

Answer 4

Translates each line of source code and executes it at run time.

Question 5

What is a source code editor?

Answer 5

Allows the programmer to enter and edit code.

Question 6

What is syntax highlighting?

Answer 6

Alerts the programmer when entering incorrect syntax.

Question 7

What is automatic formatting?

Answer 7

Correctly indents code.

Question 8

What is automatic colour coding?

Answer 8

Changes keywords, commands and annotation to different colours.