Computer Science Flashcards

What is an algorithm?

Answer: A step-by-step set of instructions designed to solve a problem

An algorithm is a finite, ordered sequence of well-defined instructions used to solve a problem or complete a task.

Which of the following best describes a 'for loop' in programming?

Answer: It executes a block of code a specific number of times

A for loop iterates a block of code a predetermined number of times, controlled by a counter variable.

What does 'decomposition' mean in computational thinking?

Answer: Breaking a complex problem into smaller, more manageable sub-problems

Decomposition is the process of breaking a large, complex problem into smaller parts that are easier to understand and solve.

Which sorting algorithm works by repeatedly comparing and swapping adjacent elements that are in the wrong order?

Answer: Bubble Sort

Bubble sort passes through the list repeatedly, swapping neighboring elements until the entire list is sorted.

What is an array in programming?

Answer: A data structure that stores multiple values of the same type under one name

An array stores a collection of elements of the same data type, accessed using an index.

What is the purpose of using functions (subroutines) in a program?

Answer: To group reusable blocks of code that can be called multiple times

Functions allow programmers to write a block of code once and call it whenever needed, promoting reusability and reducing repetition.

What is the output of the following pseudocode? x ← 10 x ← x * 2 x ← x - 5 OUTPUT x

Answer: 15

x starts at 10, is multiplied by 2 to give 20, then 5 is subtracted leaving 15.