D278 Scripting and Programming Foundations - Set 5 - Part 2

Correct Answer: Arranges elements into a specified order

A sorting algorithm rearranges a collection into ascending or descending order according to a comparison rule, enabling efficient searching and presentation.

Correct Answer: Repeatedly comparing adjacent elements and swapping those out of order

Bubble sort repeatedly steps through the list comparing adjacent pairs and swapping them when out of order, so larger values gradually move toward the end.

Correct Answer: How an algorithm's running time grows with input size

Time complexity describes how running time scales as input size grows, expressed in Big O notation independently of specific hardware.

Correct Answer: Running time grows proportionally with the input size

O(n) or linear time means the work grows in direct proportion to the number of input elements, as in a single pass through an array.

Correct Answer: Constant time regardless of input size

O(1) or constant time means the operation takes the same amount of time regardless of how large the input is, such as accessing an array element by index.

Correct Answer: A collection storing key-value pairs for fast lookup by key

A dictionary stores key-value pairs and uses hashing to retrieve values by key in near-constant time, unlike scanning a list sequentially.

Correct Answer: Managing runtime errors gracefully rather than crashing

Exception handling catches runtime errors so the program can respond appropriately, such as logging the issue or prompting the user, instead of terminating abruptly.

Correct Answer: Attempting risky code and handling any resulting exception

The try block contains code that might throw an exception, and the catch block specifies how to respond if one occurs, keeping the program running.

Correct Answer: Running cleanup code whether or not an exception occurred

A finally block executes regardless of whether an exception was thrown, making it suitable for cleanup such as closing files or releasing resources.

Correct Answer: Failing to validate a divisor before performing division

Dividing by a variable that holds zero raises an error at runtime. Validating the divisor before dividing prevents this common defect.

Correct Answer: Reading data from and writing data to files

File I/O allows programs to read data from files and write results back, providing persistence beyond the lifetime of a single program run.

Correct Answer: To release system resources and ensure data is written

Closing a file releases the operating system handle and flushes buffered data to disk, preventing resource leaks and data loss.

Correct Answer: Reusable code packaged for use across programs

A library or module packages reusable functions and definitions that programs can import, avoiding reimplementation of common functionality.

Correct Answer: Saving development time and using well-tested code

Established libraries provide tested, maintained implementations of common tasks, saving development effort and typically producing more reliable results than reinventing them.

Correct Answer: Tracking changes to code over time and coordinating collaboration

Version control records the history of changes, allowing developers to review history, revert mistakes, work in parallel branches, and merge contributions.

Correct Answer: A recorded snapshot of changes with a descriptive message

A commit records a set of changes to the repository along with a message explaining what changed and why, forming a point in the project history.

Correct Answer: Verifying that code behaves correctly under expected and edge conditions

Testing verifies that code produces correct results for expected inputs, boundary values, and error conditions, catching defects before they reach users.

Correct Answer: A test verifying a single small component in isolation

A unit test verifies one small unit of code, typically a single function, in isolation from dependencies, providing fast and precise feedback on defects.

Correct Answer: A test using values at the edges of the valid range

Boundary testing uses values at the limits of valid ranges, such as minimum, maximum, and just outside, because defects cluster at these edges.

Correct Answer: Restructuring existing code without changing its external behavior

Refactoring improves the internal structure and readability of code while preserving its observable behavior, making future changes easier and safer.