Programming Fundementals

Question 1

What is a variable?

Answer 1

A: A named memory location that stores data which can change during the program.

Question 2

What is a constant?

Answer 2

A: A value that cannot change while the program runs.

Question 3

What is a data type?

Answer 3

A: The kind of data a variable stores, e.g., integer, real/float, Boolean, string, character.

Question 4

What is an integer?

Answer 4

A: A whole number (e.g., 5, –3, 0).

Question 5

What is a real/float?

Answer 5

A: A number with decimals (e.g., 3.14).

Question 6

What is a Boolean?

Answer 6

A: A data type with two values: TRUE or FALSE.

Question 7

What is a string?

Answer 7

A: Text or characters, e.g., “Hello”.

Question 8

What is sequence?

Answer 8

A: Instructions executed one after another in order.

Question 9

What is selection?

Answer 9

A: Making decisions using IF, ELSE, or CASE statements.

Question 10

What is iteration?

Answer 10

A: Repeating code using loops (FOR, WHILE, REPEAT UNTIL).

Question 11

What is a REPEAT UNTIL loop?

Answer 11

A: Repeats code until the condition becomes true (runs at least once).

Question 12

What is a FOR loop used for?

Answer 12

A: Repeating code a set number of times.

Question 13

What is a WHILE loop used for?

Answer 13

A: Repeating code while a condition is true.

Question 14

What is a function?

Answer 14

A: A subprogram that returns a value.

Question 15

What is a procedure?

Answer 15

A: A subprogram that performs a task but does not return a value.

Question 16

What is a parameter?

Answer 16

A: A variable given to a subprogram (like an input).

Question 17

What is a global variable?

Answer 17

A: A variable that can be used anywhere in the program.

Question 18

Why are local variables preferred?

Answer 18

A: They prevent unexpected changes and make code easier to debug.

Question 18

What is a local variable?

Answer 18

A: A variable that exists only inside one subprogram.

Question 19

What is string concatenation?

Answer 19

A: Joining strings together, e.g., “Hello “ + “World”.

Question 20

What is string slicing?

Answer 20

A: Taking part of a string, e.g., name[0:3].

Question 21

What is an array/list?

Answer 21

A: A data structure that stores multiple items under one name.

Question 22

What is an index in an array?

Answer 22

A: The position of an item (usually starting at 0).

Question 23

What is SQL?

Answer 23

A: SQL (Structured Query Language) is a language used to store, manage, and manipulate data in relational databases. It includes commands like SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE to interact with tables.

Question 24

What does the SQL SELECT command do?

Answer 24

A: SELECT is used to choose which columns you want to retrieve from a database table. Example: SELECT name, age;

Question 25

What does the SQL FROM command do?

Answer 25

A: FROM tells SQL which table to take the data from. Example: SELECT name FROM Students;

Question 26

Q: What does the SQL ORDER BY command do?

Answer 26

A: ORDER BY sorts the output in ascending (ASC) or descending (DESC) order. Example: SELECT name, score FROM Students ORDER BY score DESC;