Huh?

Okay let me explain some of that. Basically when you say, want to read this post, you’d have to see the post, right? So the computer automatically does its hocus pocus when you click “I want to view Vivian’s fantastic post!”… if there is such a link. MOVING ON…
Assembly languages. They implement a symbolic representation of the numeric machine codes and other constants needed to program a particular CPU architecture. I’m not even gonna bother trying to decipher that, sorry. >___>” It’s wayy too technical for me. You too, Pikachu?

Pikaaaaaaaaaa!
Okay.
2. Machine specific and assembly languages are called lower level languages, whilst languages like Visual Basic and C are called higher level languages. What does this mean? What is the difference?
A lower level language is a language that provides little or no “abstraction” from a computer’s microprocessor (CPU). Basically, it’s more simple than higher level programming languages. This doesn’t mean it’s crapper or anything! Think of… Pikachu & Raichu… when Ash was trying to face Gym Leader Lt. Surge! Pikachu was able to defeat Raichu even though it was a less “evolved” (ergo simpler) version of Raichu! Incredible, ey? Of course, my Mewtwo can smash Pikachu’s buttocks off in one hit, but that’s a different story.

Find out what a compiler is. Have you ever used a compiler before? Where?
Compiler. A compiler is “A program that translates another program written in a high-level language into machine language so that it can be executed.” – Courtesy of www.dictionary.com. Uhh, would it be like using an Internet browser to view webpages that are encoded with code…? Sure! ^O^

That concludes my lecture on “Language Levels”. Bye! * wipes sweat *

Characters-
Information that relates to symbols. This also includes letters and numbers.

Integers-
Any whole number is considered an integer. The integer can be a negative or positive number (-2 and 5). Fractions and decimal numbers (1/2 and 0.5) are not integers.

Floating point numbers-
A string of digits that represents a real number. It is equivilant to the scientific notation but on the computer. The floating point numbers are measured in megaflops and gigaflops. Examples of floating point numbers are 0.0000895236 and 343248.0343. No matter how big or small the number is it is still considered a floating point number if it has alot of digits in the number.

Strings-
A series of symbols, characters and words that came from predetermined set. If Σ = 73 then 737373737373 is a string over Σ.

Booleans-
A datatype that has true and falso as the only two values. Ada is an example of this:

2. Find out as many different computer data types (note: not file types!) as you can, and give descriptions and examples of these too.

1.     What is a GUI? What alternatives are there to GUIs?

The acronym “GUI” stands for “Graphical User Interface”, which is a type of graphics-based user interface, such as Windows or Macintosh, that represent files and operations visually in conjunction with text (in order to fully represent the information and actions available to a user) , rather than just using text alone.  GUIs incorporate windows, icons, menus and pointers (WIMP) to allow users to interact with a computer or a computer-controlled device in order to perform various tasks such as opening files or creating applications.  This is done by enabling the user to activate a certain command or program, or see lists of files, with the use of either a mouse or a keyboard (used to select from ‘a dashboard’ of options presented on the display screen). 

The most common alternative user interface to the GUI is the Command Line Interface (CLI).  This type of user interface is considerabley different to a GUI in that, instead of choosing commands from a menu or selecting an icon (as you do using a GUI, which is both visual and textual), the user alternatively types a series of text commands using a keyboard to the computer in order to carry out the desired task (purely textual).

   2.     What advantages do GUIs bring?

Advantages of GUIs Compared with other purely Text-Based User Interfaces e.g. Command Line Interfaces

v    As GUIs use graphical representation, rather than just textual, it is considerably easier to interpret as well as use for the purpose of carrying out tasks on the computer. 
v    Well-designed GUIs can save users the hassle of trying to learn and memorise complex command languages, which they would have to do in order to effectively operate CLIs. 

v    Users don’t have to type everything at a command prompt, less tedious and time-consuming. v    GUIs are easier, as well as take less time, for users to learn.  

2. What is pseudocode? Why is it useful to programmers?
Haha dictonary.com again.
“A program code unrelated to the hardware of a particular computer and requiring conversion to the code used by the computer before the program can be used.” – Courtesy of www.dictionary.com
Personally I didn’t understand a word of that, so neither would you. (I’m not suggesting I’m more intelligent than you or anything. Who are you anyway? >___>” So I’ll do a little more research. * puts up Be Right Back sign *

Okay I’ve got some research now! Sort of. It basically is a code that ‘copies’ other codes, or rewords, for instance. An example… for example… look at this code.

<?php if (is_valid($cc_number)) {
execute_transaction($cc_number, $order); } else {
show_failure(); } ?>

This is hooly-dooly code. Very weird, you might not even understand it! (I hope I’m not insulting your intelligence, because I certainly am insulting mine. Wait I’m making no sense at all, so scrap that.) Well actually it’s PHP coding, stuff that can be used to make more complicated forms of webpages… like forums and polls etc. BUT WE’RE NOT LEARNING ABOUT PHP! This is what it would look like if it was “pseudocoded”!

if credit card number is valid
execute transaction based on number and order else
show a generic failure message end if

Simpler much? ^O^ Thought so. Pikachu would understand it… if he was here.

3. Name and briefly describe a pictorial or graphical way of representing an algorithm. (Hint: think back to what we have done in IST lessons over the past few weeks.)
Ahahaha you gave it away Mr. Woo! Wait.. what was it called again? * feels dumb *

Shut up, stupid kitty!

Oh yeah! Flow chart! XD It’s sort of pretty… with it’s cute squares and diamonds and stuff… not actually. And can be used for lots of algorithms… like tying shoelaces. Okay I won’t go there again, sorry Vegeta. Very simplified, nice and easy to understand.

For each of the following, define the term and give an example.

1. Syntax error
   The program has found an error and does not know how to fix it. An example of syntax error is when brackets are entered into a calculator but the brackets did not end. The calculator does not know what to do first so syntax error appears on the screen to notify the person that the numbers that they entered was wrong.
   
   
2. Logical error
   The program has a bug that causes it to misunderstands the instructions that it was given or the formula was incorrect. Therefore the answer that it gives is incorrect.
   An example of a logical error:

   #include <stdio.h> 
   
   int money, money_in_store; 
   
   main()
      {
      do
         {
         printf("Enter amount of money (0 to exit): ");
         scanf("%d", &money);
         if (money_in_store == 0)   // Should be 'if (money == 0)'
            {
            printf("%d money on exit\n", money_in_store);
            exit(0);
            }
         money_in_store += money;
         } while(1);
      return(0);
      }

   ‘money_in_store’ should have been ‘money’ in the formula above.
   
   

3. Runtime error
   While the program is running an error is detected. Causes for a runtime error include computer viruses, running other programs and other computer issues.