CS 1400 Practice #1

ports

A channel through which several clients can exchange data with the same server.

networks

A collection of resources that are linked together for communication.

Programming languages

A formal language that computer scientists use to give instructions to the computer.

operating system

A large program that allows the user to communicate with the hardware and performs various management tasks.

external

Also called secondary memory, a device such as a hard drive or flash stick where data can be backed up or stored permanently.

client

An agent that requests and receives some service.

secondary memory

An auxiliary device for memory, usually a disk or magnetic tape.

What is IDLE?

An integrated development environment that allows the programmer to save programs in files and load them into a shell for testing for Python.

magnetic storage media

Any media that allow data to be stored as patterns in a magnetic field.

server

Definition: A computational object that provides a service from another computational object, usually over a network.

assembly languages

Definition: A computer language that allows the programmer to express operations and memory addresses with mnemonic symbols.

compiler

Definition: A computer program that automatically converts instructions in a high-level language to machine language.

hypermedia

Definition: A data structure that allows the user to access different kinds of information (text, images, sound, video, applications) by traversing links.

card reader

Definition: A device that inputs information from punched cards into the memory of a computer.

transistor

Definition: A device with no moving parts that can hold an electromagnetic signal and that is used to build computer circuitry for memory and a processor.

personal digital assistants (PDAs)

Definition: A handheld device that allows the user to perform some simple tasks.

Moore's Law

Definition: A hypothesis that states that the processing speed and storage capacity of computers will increase by a factor of two every 18 months.

variable identifier

Definition: A memory location, referenced by an identifier, whose value can be changed during execution of a program.

microprocessor

Definition: A processor that incorporates the entire central processing unit on a single integrated chip.

shell

Definition: A program that allows users to enter and run Python program expressions and statements interactively.

Python virtual machine (PVM)

Definition: A program that interprets Python byte codes and executes them.

Web applications

Definition: A program that runs on a remote server but uses clients' Web browsers to deliver them services.

assembler

Definition: A program that translates an assembly language program to machine code.

string

Definition: A sequence of zero or more characters enclosed in quote marks.

abstraction

Definition: A simplified view of a task or data structure that ignores complex detail.

Client/server applications

Definition: A type of application that allows many agents to receive service from one provider.

bit-mapped display screen

Definition: A type of display screen that supports the display of graphics and images.

argument

Definition: A value or expression passed as data by the caller to a function or method.

abacus

Definition: An early computing device that allowed users to perform simple calculations by moving beads along wires.

keypunch machine

Definition: An early input device that allowed the user to enter programs and data onto punched cards.

solid-state device

Definition: An electronic device, typically based on a transistor, and which has no moving parts.

Python Shell

Definition: An interactive program that allows the programmer to enter Python code and receive immediate feedback.

conversion functions

Definition: An operation that transforms one type of data into another type of data.

mainframe computers

Definition: Large computers typically used by major companies and universities.

Web client

Definition: Software on a computer that makes requests for resources and receives them from the Web.

Web servers

Definition: Software on a computer that responds to requests for resources and makes them available on the Web.

Web browser

Definition: Software that makes requests for Web pages, receives them from a Web server, and renders them on a display.

integrated circuit

Definition: The arrangement of computer hardware components in a single miniaturized unit.

data science

Definition: The discipline of gathering and analyzing massive amounts of data.

CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) screen

Definition: The first type of display device used to show computer output to users.

big data

Definition: The gathering and analysis of massive amounts of data.

byte code

Definition: The kind of object code generated by a Python compiler and interpreted by a Python virtual machine. Byte code is platform independent.

source code

Definition: The program text as viewed by the human being who creates or reads it, prior to compilation.

batch processing

Definition: The scheduling of multiple programs so that they run in sequence on the same computer.

concurrent processing

Definition: The simultaneous performance of two or more tasks.

Semiconductor storage media

Devices, such as flash sticks, that use solid state circuitry to store data permanently.

HTML

Hypertext Markup Language

HTTP

Hypertext Transfer Protocol

How is information represented in hardware memory?

Information is stored in the hardware memory and is represented in binary digits. Input and output devices transmit the information from the memory to the external world.

Miranda has forgotten to complete an arithmetic expression before the end of a line of code. How will the Python interpreter react?

It would tell her that an indentation is unexpected.

Answer the question, What is a Python script?

It's a language that Python already knows, so when certain words are input into Python like "float" Python already knows the significance of "float".

random access memory (RAM)

Memory where a program and data are loaded for execution. Same as primary memory.

high-level programming languages

Programming languages whose vocabulary and sentence structure are fairly close to those of English.

Why does Python code generate fewer types of syntax errors than code in other programming languages?

Python's syntax generally allows the programmer to accomplish the programming language in fewer steps, but it does take longer to run the program.

Syntax

Rules for forming sentences in languages.

In what sense is a laptop computer a general-purpose problem-solving machine?

Since a wristwatch tells time and could compute a few calculations, the laptop computer is a general-purpose problem-solving machine because it can do general purposes in a wide range computer programs. It is a calculator, it can open web browsing to solve problems (emergency systems), download new information, etc.

User Interfaces (UI)

Software and hardware devices that present information to human users and receive input data or commands from them.

run-time system

Software that supports the execution of a program.

What does the central processing unit (CPU) do?

The Central processing unit executes the instructions that are describe by algorithms. A major hardware component that consists of the arithmetic/logic unit and the control unit. Also sometimes called a processor.

memory

The ordered sequence of storage cells that can be accessed by address. Instructions and variables of an executing program are temporarily held here. See also main memory and secondary memory.

What role do translators play in the programming process?

The translator converts high-level program code into executable code. Definition: A program that converts a program written in one language to an equivalent program in another language.

List three common types of computing agents.

input, output, CPU

List two examples of input devices and two examples of output devices.

input: buttons, keyboard, touchscreen output: opening applications, monitor screen, speakers

interpreter

is a program that translates and runs another program.

Suppose your script attempts to print the value of a variable that has not yet been assigned a value. How does the Python interpreter react?

it halts the execution with an error message.

Write a line of code that prompts the user for his or her name and saves the user's input in a variable called name.

name = input("Enter your name:") print(name)

internal

Also called primary memory, a device that provides temporary storage for data and programs for fast access by a computer's central processing unit.

text editor

A program that allows the user to enter text, such as a program, and save it in a file.

loader

A software program that copies program code and data from secondary memory into primary memory before program execution begins.

virtual machine

A software that runs and behaves like a high-level computer.

What is the difference between a terminal-based interface and a graphical user interface?

A terminal-based interface accepts inputs from a keyboard and displays text output on a monitor screen. A graphical user interface (GUI) organizes the monitor screen around the metaphor of a desktop, with windows containing icons for folders, files, and applications.

Explain what goes on behind the scenes when your computer runs a Python program.

When a Python program is executed, it is translated into byte code. This byte code is then sent to the Python virtual machine (PVM) for further interpretation and execution.

Describe what happens when the programmer enters the string "Greetings!" in the Python shell.

print("Greetings!") or A = "Greetings!" print(A)

List four devices that use computers and describe the information that they process. (Hint: Think of the inputs and outputs of the devices.)

smartwatches: uses the input from the touchscreen to output appropriate apps to measure workouts digital multimeter: receives the input circuit which gives a digital display of the amount of volts from the circuit. Computer has a keyboard that outputs letters, numbers, and symbols to the appropriate key Insulin pump inputs of certain buttons allows the machine to deliver proper amounts of insulin.

program libraries

software tools or resources used in applications