Features of a programming language

• Variables are methods of storing data so that they can be retrived later within a program
• Instructions is a unit of code that can be preformed by a compiler, there are two types:

  • Definition: assigns a value to a variable
  • Statement: A line of code that preforms an action
• Control structure is a programing construct:

  • Sequence is a set of instructions that executes line by line
  • Conditional statement is a control structure that allows a code to run when a particular condition is met
  • An iteration is known as a loop which is used to repeat sections of a code
• Function is a sequence of instructions that preforms a specific task and has been given a name, when a function is used it is called a function declaration
• A class is used in object-oriented programming that allows programmers to group together related functions.

  A method is a function that exist within a class
• Survey allows the user to gather data by providing questions to a group of people and can be quantitative data or qualitative data
• Interview is conducted face-to-face and is useful for eliciting feelings, attitudes and opinions
• Report is a written document providing a summary of findings in relation to the system.

  • An advantage is that the data is often pre-prepared and quick to obtain
  • However, a disadvantage of reports is that the data can be manipulated or unreliable
• Observation is a method of data collection that involves observing how a system operates it provides unbiased data, but is often time-consuming and expensive