COSC 1436 Midterm

algorithm

a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations

argument

a value that you pass to a routine. For example, if SQRT is a routine that returns the square root of a value, then SQRT(25) would return the value 5. The value 25 is the argument.

benefits of using functions

to save time

block

a structure of source code where some is grouped together (think: what would be going between the brackets)

break

break is used within loops and switch statements to jump to the end of the code block. It causes the "//code..." above to be skipped and terminates the loop. In switch case statements, break causes the remaining cases to be skipped--it prevents "falling t

byte

unit of digital information that most commonly consists of eight bits

character

a character is a unit of information that roughly corresponds to a grapheme, grapheme-like unit, or symbol

cin

input code; prompting user to assign a value to a given variable

combined assignment

+=
-=
�=
I=
%=

comment

preceded by \\, a comment is a note only for the programmer that the code does not run

compiler

a computer program (or a set of programs) that transforms source code written in a programming language (the source language) into another computer language (the target language), with the latter often having a binary form known as object code.

continue

instead of forcing termination, it forces the next iteration of the loop to take place, skipping any code in between. For the for loop, continue statement causes the conditional test and increment portions of the loop to execute.

cout

program command to display something (a prompt, variables, etc.) on the module

CPU

computer component that's responsible for interpreting and executing most of the commands from the computer's other hard- and software

Do-While Loop

a do while loop executes a block of code at least once, and then repeatedly executes the block, or not, depending on a given exit condition at the end of the block.

end1

creates a new line in displayed text

Escape sequence

an escape sequence is two or more characters that often begin with an escape character that tells the computer or software program to perform a function or command (such as \n for new line)

Expression

a combination of one or more explicit values, constants, variables, operators, and functions that the programming language interprets (according to its particular rules of precedence and of association) and computes to produce (called "return")

For Loop

a repetition control structure that allows you to efficiently write a loop that needs to execute a specific number of times

Function

instructions used to create the output from its input

Function Header

the first line in a function; marks the beginning of the function

get

reads characters from stdin and stores them in str until a newline character or end of file is found

global variable

a variable visible and used through the whole program

Hardware

the collection of physical components that constitute a computer system

IDE

a software suite that consolidates the basic tools developers need to write and test software

Increment

to increase or decrease by a certain amount

Infinite Loop

a loop with a non functioning or illogical exit condition, meaning it continues without stopping

Initialization

assignment of an initial value for a data object or variable

Integer division

when two integers are divided by two, the return will be an integer as well even if the proper mathematical answer is a fraction

Literal

a piece of data written directly into a program's code

Local variable

a variable that exists only within a module, opposing a global variable

Logic error

mistakes in the program that cause it to produce wrong results or make it unable to produce results

Logical operators

code to combine two or more relational expressions into one
ex. if (temperature < 20 && minutes > 12) to mean if the temperature is less than 20 AND the number of minutes is greater than 12

main

starting point of the program

Modulus

mechanism to package libraries and encapsulate their implemntations

Nesting

placing one statement within another. for example, if the value meets the first condition, then it will move on to another if/else condition.

Operator

perform operations (such as multiplication, addition, etc) on a piece of data

Operator precedence

establishing an order of operations (think PEMDAS but for coding)

Output

displaying numbers or strings of text

Parameter

variables in a function that hold the values passed as arguments

Parentheses

arguments to define parameters

Post-test loop

testing for the exit condition after it goes through that iteration of the loop

Pre-test loop

testing for the exit condition before it goes through the iteration of the loop

Program

set of instructions a computer follows to perform a task

Programming languages

using words to create programs instead of pure binary code

Programming process

the steps to creating a program

Prototype

the beta, the unfinished work

RAM

a form of computer data storage which stores frequently used program instructions to increase the general speed of a system

Relational operators

determine whether a specific relationship exists between two values
(ex. >, <, >=, <=, ==, !=)

Repetition

loops used to repeat the same code multiple times in succession

Reserved words

words that cannot be used as variables (such as int, double, and void) because of their use in the programming language itself

Return

causes a function to end immediately

Selection symbol

...

Semicolon

USE ALL THE TIME. ALL THE TIME. AFTER NEARLY EVERY LINE. VERY IMPORTANT.

Sentinel

a special value that marks the end of a list of values

Software

programs and codes in the computer that perform specific tasks

String

consecutive sequences of characters that occupy consecutive bytes of memory

Syntax

structural rules that need to be followed when constructing a program

Syntax error

when a mistake in the structure of a program prevents it from running

Variable

a letter or string standing in place for a number

Variable scope

whether a variable is global or local

Variable type

different classifications of variables, such as int, float, or double, that alter the number output by the program

While loop

a looping program that executes after the condition is evaluated

White space

spaces, tabs, or line breaks