1.7. Glossary

problem-solving:

The process of formulating a problem, finding a solution, and expressing the solution.

high-level language:

A programming language like C++ that is designed to be easy for humans to read and write.

low-level language:

A programming language that is designed to be easy for a computer to execute. Also called “machine language” or “assembly language.”

portability:

A property of a program that can run on more than one kind of computer.

formal language:

Any of the languages people have designed for specific purposes, like representing mathematical ideas or computer programs. All programming languages are formal languages.

natural language:

Any of the languages people speak that have evolved naturally.

interpret:

To execute a program in a high-level language by translating it one line at a time.

compile:

To translate a program in a high-level language into a low-level language, all at once, in preparation for later execution.

source code:

A program in a high-level language, before being compiled.

object code:

The output of the compiler, after translating the program.

executable:

Another name for object code that is ready to be executed.

algorithm:

A general process for solving a category of problems.

bug:

An error in a program.

syntax:

The structure of a program.

semantics:

The meaning of a program.

parse:

To examine a program and analyze the syntactic structure.

syntax error:

An error in a program that makes it impossible to parse (and therefore impossible to compile).

run-time error:

An error in a program that makes it fail at run-time.

logical error:

An error in a program that makes it do something other than what the programmer intended.

debugging:

The process of finding and removing any of the three kinds of errors.

Q1

formal language Choose a definition A programming language like C++ that is easy for humans to read and write. A programming language that is easy for a computer to execute. Any of the languages people have designed for specific purposes. Any of the languages people speak that have evolved naturally.

high-level language Choose a definition A programming language like C++ that is easy for humans to read and write. A programming language that is easy for a computer to execute. Any of the languages people have designed for specific purposes. Any of the languages people speak that have evolved naturally.

low-level language Choose a definition A programming language like C++ that is easy for humans to read and write. A programming language that is easy for a computer to execute. Any of the languages people have designed for specific purposes. Any of the languages people speak that have evolved naturally.

natural language Choose a definition A programming language like C++ that is easy for humans to read and write. A programming language that is easy for a computer to execute. Any of the languages people have designed for specific purposes. Any of the languages people speak that have evolved naturally.

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Q2

compile Choose a definition A program in a high-level language, before being compiled. The output of the compiler, after translating the program. To execute a program in a high-level language by translating it all at once. To execute a program in a high-level language by translating it one line at a time.

interpret Choose a definition A program in a high-level language, before being compiled. The output of the compiler, after translating the program. To execute a program in a high-level language by translating it all at once. To execute a program in a high-level language by translating it one line at a time.

object code Choose a definition A program in a high-level language, before being compiled. The output of the compiler, after translating the program. To execute a program in a high-level language by translating it all at once. To execute a program in a high-level language by translating it one line at a time.

source code Choose a definition A program in a high-level language, before being compiled. The output of the compiler, after translating the program. To execute a program in a high-level language by translating it all at once. To execute a program in a high-level language by translating it one line at a time.

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Q3

algorithm Choose a definition A general process for solving a category of problems. A property of a program that can run on more than one kind of computer. An error in a program. Another name for object code that is ready to be executed.

bug Choose a definition A general process for solving a category of problems. A property of a program that can run on more than one kind of computer. An error in a program. Another name for object code that is ready to be executed.

executable Choose a definition A general process for solving a category of problems. A property of a program that can run on more than one kind of computer. An error in a program. Another name for object code that is ready to be executed.

portability Choose a definition A general process for solving a category of problems. A property of a program that can run on more than one kind of computer. An error in a program. Another name for object code that is ready to be executed.

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Q4

parse Choose a definition The meaning of a program. The process of formulating a problem, finding a solution, and expressing the solution. The structure of a program. To examine a program and analyze the syntactic structure.

problem-solving Choose a definition The meaning of a program. The process of formulating a problem, finding a solution, and expressing the solution. The structure of a program. To examine a program and analyze the syntactic structure.

semantics Choose a definition The meaning of a program. The process of formulating a problem, finding a solution, and expressing the solution. The structure of a program. To examine a program and analyze the syntactic structure.

syntax Choose a definition The meaning of a program. The process of formulating a problem, finding a solution, and expressing the solution. The structure of a program. To examine a program and analyze the syntactic structure.

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Q5

debugging Choose a definition An error in a program that makes it do something other than what the programmer intended. An error in a program that makes it fail upon execution. An error in a program that makes it impossible to parse and compile. The process of finding and removing any of the three kinds of errors.

logical error Choose a definition An error in a program that makes it do something other than what the programmer intended. An error in a program that makes it fail upon execution. An error in a program that makes it impossible to parse and compile. The process of finding and removing any of the three kinds of errors.

run-time error Choose a definition An error in a program that makes it do something other than what the programmer intended. An error in a program that makes it fail upon execution. An error in a program that makes it impossible to parse and compile. The process of finding and removing any of the three kinds of errors.

syntax error Choose a definition An error in a program that makes it do something other than what the programmer intended. An error in a program that makes it fail upon execution. An error in a program that makes it impossible to parse and compile. The process of finding and removing any of the three kinds of errors.

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