Question 1

Writing a program includes planning the logic, coding the program, translating the program into machine language, and testing the program.

Accepted Answer

Writing a program involves several steps including planning the logic (algorithm design), coding the program in a programming language, translating the program into machine language (compilation), and testing the program to ensure it works as expected.

Question 2

In a flowchart, decision symbols are represented by diamonds.

Accepted Answer

Decision symbols in flowcharts are indeed represented by diamonds, indicating a point where a decision needs to be made.

Question 3

Computer instructions are written in a computer programming language such as Visual Basic, C#, C++, or Java.

Accepted Answer

Computer programming languages like Visual Basic, C#, C++, or Java are used to write instructions that computers can execute, allowing developers to create software applications and systems.

Question 4

The rules that govern a programming language are called ____.

Accepted Answer

Syntax refers to the set of rules that defines the combinations of symbols that are considered to be correctly structured programs in a programming language.

Question 5

The instruction Myanswer = Mynumber*2 is an example of a(n) ____ operation.

Accepted Answer

This instruction involves processing because it performs a calculation (multiplication) on a variable.

Question 6

The two major techniques for developing programs are procedural programming and object-oriented programming (OOP).

Accepted Answer

Procedural programming focuses on creating procedures or routines, while Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) is based on the concept of objects, which can contain data and code to manipulate the data. These are indeed two major programming paradigms.

Question 7

____ is the set of physical devices associated with a computer.

Accepted Answer

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system, such as the CPU, memory devices, monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

Question 8

Logical errors are sometimes referred to as structural errors.

Accepted Answer

Logical errors refer to mistakes in the program that cause it to operate incorrectly, but the program structure (syntax) is correct. Structural errors, on the other hand, would imply issues with the program's structure or syntax, preventing it from running correctly.

Question 9

In a flowchart, processing symbols are represented by parallelograms.

Accepted Answer

In a flowchart, processing symbols are represented by rectangles, not parallelograms. Parallelograms are used to represent input and output operations.

Question 10

Language translation software for a computer is called a compiler or interpreter.

Accepted Answer

A compiler or interpreter is a type of software that translates a programming language into a form that can be executed by a computer.

Question 11

Misuse of a language's grammar rules is called a(n) ____ error.

Accepted Answer

Syntax errors are mistakes in the use of a language's grammar rules.

Question 12

The programming statements you write in a programming language are known as the ____ code.

Accepted Answer

The programming statements written by a programmer in a programming language are known as the source code. This code is then compiled or interpreted to produce executable programs.

Question 13

A program that is free of syntax errors is also free of logical errors.

Accepted Answer

A program can be free of syntax errors, meaning it follows the correct rules of the programming language, but still contain logical errors, which are mistakes in the program's logic that lead to incorrect outcomes.

Question 14

Data items enter the computer system through ____ devices.

Accepted Answer

Data items enter the computer system through input devices.

Question 15

All computers have temporary, ____ storage, also known as random access memory (RAM).

Accepted Answer

RAM is considered internal storage because it is housed within the computer's main unit or case, unlike external storage devices that are connected externally.

Question 16

Machine language is also called ____ language.

Accepted Answer

Machine language is also known as binary language because it consists of binary digits (0s and 1s), which are directly understood by a computer's CPU.

Question 17

The two major components of any computer system are its hardware and its software.

Accepted Answer

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system, such as the CPU, memory, and storage devices, while software refers to the programs and operating systems that run on the hardware and perform tasks.

Question 18

The set of instructions that tell the computer what to do are called ____.

Accepted Answer

Software refers to the programs and operating information used by a computer, essentially the instructions that tell the computer how to perform tasks.

Question 19

When writing pseudocode, you need to be careful about syntax.

Accepted Answer

Pseudocode is meant to be an informal high-level description of the operating principle of a computer program or other algorithm. It focuses on the concept rather than the actual syntax of any specific programming language, so strict syntax rules do not apply.

Question 20

When you decide on the correct instructions for a program, you are developing the program's ____.

Accepted Answer

The logic of a program refers to the sequence of steps or the algorithm that defines how the program operates or solves a problem, which is what you are developing when you decide on the correct instructions for a program. Syntax, on the other hand, refers to the rules of the programming language used. Data file and data entities relate to the data the program uses or manipulates, not the instructions or logic of the program itself.

Quiz 1: An Overview of Computer Programming