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Section 1.7 Glossary
Glossary 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.
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.
Reading Questions Reading Questions
1.
Match each phrase with the corresponding definition by dragging the phrase into the appropriate box.
Try again!
natural language
Any of the languages people speak that have evolved naturally.
high-level language
A programming language like C++ that is easy for humans to read and write.
low-level language
A programming language that is easy for a computer to execute.
formal language
Any of the languages people have designed for specific purposes.
2.
Match each phrase with the corresponding definition by dragging the phrase into the appropriate box.
Try again!
interpret
To execute a program in a high-level language by translating it one line at a time.
compile
To execute a program in a high-level language by translating it all at once.
source code
A program in a high-level language, before being compiled.
object code
The output of the compiler, after translating the program.
3.
Match each phrase with the corresponding definition by dragging the phrase into the appropriate box.
Try again!
portability
A property of a program that can run on more than one kind of computer.
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.
4.
Match each phrase with the corresponding definition by dragging the phrase into the appropriate box.
Try again!
problem-solving
The process of formulating a problem, finding a solution, and expressing the solution.
syntax
The structure of a program.
semantics
The meaning of a program.
parse
To examine a program and analyze the syntactic structure.
5.
Match each phrase with the corresponding definition by dragging the phrase into the appropriate box.
syntax error
An error in a program that makes it impossible to parse and compile.
run-time error
An error in a program that makes it fail upon execution.
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.
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