2.2.2 Computational methods info

Question 1

what is data mining?

Answer 1

the process of:
- searching through large amounts of data
- searching for non-obvious patters/anomalies
- using pattern matching algorithms
- using anomaly detection algorithms
- for business modelling and planning for the future

Question 2

what are the pros of data mining?

Answer 2

• increases profit
• improves stock levels + management
• can use to introduce new features
• increase use from customers
• remove unused features

Question 3

what are the cons of data mining?

Answer 3

• privacy concerns
• requires supercomputers + large processing power
• misuse of information

Question 4

what is backtracking?

Answer 4

a method that is used in solving a problem that involves examining more than one possible solution

Question 5

how is backtracking carried out?

Answer 5

• often use recursion
• in every step, the possible options are examined, and a decision is made about which option to follow
• when the algorithm reaches a final state, it checks whether that state is accepted or rejected and then ‘backtracks’ to a previous state to try other options

Question 6

what is performance modelling?

Answer 6

a process of evaluating if a system or program works as expected or not before it is released.

Question 7

how is performance modelling often carried out?

Answer 7

• setting up success criteria and test scenarios
• simulate real life circumstances

Question 8

what is pipelining?

Answer 8

when a task is divided into a series of sub-tasks, where each subtask leads to the next
- this means that each subtask is executed by a different process in a series and each result feeds into the next process

Question 9

what makes a problem solvable by computational methods?

Answer 9

• clearly defined
• computable
• data requirements have been examined
• determine if decomposition or abstraction etc can be used

Question 10

what are the steps for problem recognition?

Answer 10

• identify the nature and parameters of the problem
• analyse current situation
• specify requirements
• identify whether the problem can be classified as a certain type of problem

Question 11

what is visualisation?

Answer 11

a variety of techniques that aim to illustrate what a problem entails and ho to approach its solution