Programming & Problem Solving Basics 2

Cards · 51

Algorithm

A step-by-step procedure or set of rules to be followed in calculations or problem-solving operations.

Pseudocode

An informal high-level description of the operating principle of a computer program, written for human reading.

Flowchart

A visual diagrammatic representation of the sequence of steps and decisions involved in performing a process.

Flowchart: Oval (Terminal)

The standard flowchart shape used to denote the start or end point of an algorithm.

Flowchart: Rectangle (Process)

The standard flowchart shape used to represent an operation, calculation, or internal data manipulation.

Flowchart: Parallelogram (I/O)

The standard flowchart shape used to indicate input operations (reading data) or output operations (displaying data).

Flowchart: Diamond (Decision)

The standard flowchart shape used to evaluate a condition and branch execution based on true/false outcomes.

Flowchart: Arrow (Flowline)

The symbol used to show the direction of execution from one process step to another.

Variable

A named storage location in memory whose value can change during program execution.

Constant

A named data item with an assigned value that remains unchanged throughout the execution of a program.

Identifier

A user-defined name given to program elements like variables, functions, arrays, and classes.

Data Type

A classification that specifies which type of value a variable can hold and which operations can be performed on it.

Integer (int)

A fundamental data type used to represent whole numbers without fractional or decimal components.

Floating-Point (float/double)

A data type used to store numbers that have a decimal point or fractional part.

Character (char)

A data type that holds a single letter, digit, punctuation mark, or control code.

String

A sequence of contiguous characters treated as a single text entity.

Boolean (bool)

A primitive data type having one of two possible values representing truth: true or false.

Assignment Operator (=)

An operator used to assign the value of an expression on its right to the variable on its left.

Arithmetic Operators

Standard mathematical operators used to perform calculations, such as addition (+), subtraction (-), and multiplication (*).

Modulus Operator (%)

An arithmetic operator that returns the remainder of an integer division operation.

Relational Operators

Operators used to compare two values, yielding a boolean result (e.g., ==, !=, <, >, <=, >=).

Logical Operator: AND (&&)

An operator that returns true only if all evaluated conditions or operands are true.

Logical Operator: OR (||)

An operator that returns true if at least one of the evaluated conditions is true.

Logical Operator: NOT (!)

A unary operator that reverses or inverts the logical state of its boolean operand.

Operator Precedence

The set of rules that defines the order in which different operators are evaluated in an expression.

Control Structure: Sequence

The default control structure where instructions are executed one after another in order.

Control Structure: Selection

A structure that chooses between alternative paths of execution based on a boolean condition.

Control Structure: Iteration

A structure that repeatedly executes a block of code while or until a specified condition is met.

If Statement

A selection statement that executes a block of code only if a specified condition evaluates to true.

If-Else Statement

A selection structure that executes one block of code if true, and a different block if false.

Nested Condition

A condition or if-statement placed inside another conditional statement to evaluate multiple criteria.

Switch / Case Statement

A multi-way branch statement that tests an expression against a list of constant values called cases.

Definite Loop (Count-Controlled)

A loop that repeats a specific, predetermined number of times, typically using a counter variable (e.g., for loop).

Indefinite Loop (Condition-Controlled)

A loop that repeats as long as a condition holds true, without a fixed repetition count (e.g., while loop).

Pre-test Loop (While Loop)

A loop structure that tests its condition before executing the loop body, meaning it may execute zero times.

Post-test Loop (Do-While Loop)

A loop structure that evaluates its condition after the loop body executes, ensuring at least one run.

Infinite Loop

A loop that continues executing indefinitely because its terminating condition is never reached or satisfied.

Loop Counter

A variable initialized, tested, and updated during loop cycles to track the number of iterations performed.

Accumulator

A variable used to collect or maintain a running total of values generated during iteration.

Sentinel Value

A special, predefined value used to signal the end of input or indicate loop termination.

Syntax Error

A programming mistake caused by violating the structural rules or grammar of the programming language.

Runtime Error

An error that occurs during the execution of a program, such as division by zero or out-of-bounds access.

Logic Error

A bug that causes a program to operate incorrectly and produce wrong outputs while still running to completion.

Debugging

The systematic process of identifying, tracing, and resolving errors or bugs in computer software.

Trace Table

A manual testing technique used to track the values of variables step-by-step through an algorithm.

Decomposition

The problem-solving technique of breaking down a complex problem into smaller, more manageable sub-problems.

Abstraction

The practice of filtering out unnecessary details to focus exclusively on essential characteristics.

Pattern Recognition

Identifying similarities, regularities, or recurring trends within problems to reuse effective solutions.

Source Code

Human-readable computer instructions written in a high-level programming language.

Compiler

A translator program that converts entire high-level source code into machine code before execution.

Interpreter

A translator program that reads, analyzes, and executes source code line-by-line in real time.