4.1.1 - FoP (Programming)

Question 1

Define Data type

Answer 1

An attribute of data that determines what sort of data is being stored and how it will be used

Question 2

Define Integer

Answer 2

A data type for storing positive or negative whole numbers

Question 3

Define real/float

Answer 3

A data type for storing numbers with decimal values

Question 4

Define Boolean

Answer 4

A data type that can only store one of two possible values

Question 5

Define Character

Answer 5

A data type for storing a letter, number or special character.

Question 6

Define String

Answer 6

A data type for storing a sequence of characters or symbols

Question 7

Define Date/Time

Answer 7

A data type for storing date or time values

Question 8

Define records

Answer 8

A data structure that stores related data items in elements called fields

Question 9

Define Array

Answer 9

A data structure for a finite, indexed set of elements of the same data type

Question 10

What is a pointer/reference type

Answer 10

Data type which are stores for memory addresses of objects created at runtime, dynamically.

Question 11

Define user-defined data types

Answer 11

Custom data types designed by the user by combining existing data types, for the bespoke needs of their program

Question 12

Define language defined data types

Answer 12

Data types built in to a programming language

Question 13

Define Subroutines(Procedures/Functions)

Answer 13

a named ‘out of line’ block of code that may be executed (called) by
simply writing its name in a program statement.

Question 14

Why is it important to use meaningful identifier names

Answer 14

• Makes code easier to understand
• Makes code self-documenting (Describes the logic of the code as its developed)

Question 15

What are some advantages using named constants

Answer 15

• Makes code easier to understand compared to using hard coded values
• Because it is immutable if it is to be modified, it is only to be done in one place, making it easier to debug program.

Question 16

What are some advantages of using subroutines

Answer 16

1 - Reduces repition of code , as it can be reused making code more compact
3 - Easier to debug as subroutines can be tested independently from the whole program
4 - Faster development of large problems as the can be decomposed.

Question 17

How do subroutines use parameters

Answer 17

parameters are taken in by a subroutine, and these are required for the subroutine to run

Question 18

What is are the features of a local variabes

Answer 18

1 - One that exists while the subroutine is excecuted
2 - One that is only accessible within the subroutine

Question 19

Why is it good practice to use local variables

Answer 19

• They exist only during subroutine execution so are more memory efficient
• Easier to debug as they can only be exist in the subroutine and not all over the program

Question 20

What is a stack frame

Answer 20

A data structure that stores the return addressess, parameter and local variables when subroutines are called

Question 21

What is a recursive routine

Answer 21

A subroutine that calls itself in its definition

Question 22

In java what does Math.random() do (include bounds)

Answer 22

returns a random number between 0.0 (inclusive), and 1.0 (exclusive):