2.2 Problem Solving

• variable scope

  procedures and functions for which a variable is accessible from
• performance modelling

  Simulate/test the behaviour of the system before it is used
• Features of IDE

  • Underlines syntax errors dynamically so can be corrected before running which saves times
  • Break points to stop the program at set points to check the values of variables
  • Error message list tells you where errors are and suggests correction
  • Cross-referencers identify where variables are used in a program to avoid duplications
• Explain the difference between branching and iteration

  • Branching decides which code is run / only runs code once
  • Iteration repeatedly runs the same code in the same sequence
• Heuristics in terms of A*

  Estimate of distance from each node to the destination node

  To speed up the process of finding a solution by identifying which paths to follow first
• Evaluating the use of data mining

  • searches large amounts of data for relationships between facts/events that may not be obvious
  • May include pattern matching algorithms and involve anomaly detection algorithms
  • Can look for how people use the website e.g. visiting times, what they click on, how long they spend on certain features, what they do first, which elements are used least
• Use of data mining


  • business modelling
  • plan for future eventualities
  • Give recommendations for future changes
• Explain how pipelining can improve performance of processor

  • Reduces latency where CPU is not idle while waiting for next instruction
  • All parts of the processor can be used at any instance in time
• scope of local variables

  within the module defined within
• scope of global variables

  within the entire program
• local vs global variables- access

  Local cannot be accessed externally unless passed as parameter, or returned from function

  Global can be accessed from anywhere
• Describe benefits of using OO paradigm over procedural paradigm

  • Code can easily be reused in other programs as inheritance can be to extend upon existing classes as a class can be based on an existing class
  • Easier to maintain as classes can be modified or extended and debugging can be easier as encapsulation limits how attributes are changed
  • Code can be more secure as access to attributes can be restricted