Programming

Programming

1. Programming Languages

   • Machine code - binary used by the computer
   • Assembly language - a low-level language that uses easier to understand yet simple instructions
   • High level -Language very close to English
   • Low level - very simple machine code or assembly language
   • Assembler - a program that takes assembly language instructions and converts them into machine code
     • Difficult to code
   • Compiler - Translation software that converts high level source code into machine code
     • Harder to find errors
     • Runs much faster
     • Does it all in one go
   • Interpreter - Translation software that converts source code or user input into machine code which is immediately executed one instruction at a time
     • Slower and takes up more memory as it converts one instruction at a time
     • Easier to find errors
     • Can be developed and tested in stages
   • These 3 things are needed so we can write high-level code and have the CPU work with it - without it we would have to write in 1s an 0s

2. Tools and fascilities in an IDE

   • Editors - provides a text editing area
   • Error diagnostics - identify and highlight errors in the code
   • Run Time Environment - Allows user to run code while developing it
   • Translator - compiles or interprets the source code into suitable machine code
   • Auto documentation - takes note of all the variables and data type and stuff - often highlights them

3. Data

   • Variable - label that contains a value
   • Integer - whole number
   • Real - Decimal or fractions
   • Boolean - TRUE or FALSE
   • Character - single character (digit or letter)
   • String - A string of characters
   • Constant - a label value that can be accessed but not changed by the program
   • Array - a list

4. Errors

   • Logic error - The logical structure of the program produces an unexpected result
   • Syntax error - Rules of the Language are broken by the program