What are the types of Input we will learn
We won't be doing any "Graphical User Interfaces" because these require
special libraries and distract from the core topics needed for programming.
So all the input will in the form of characters -- usually type by the user
into the prorgam. Initially it will be numbers (int and double) only.
Is an input screen a text window
In this class all input will into a text window... and the
output will be returned to that same window.
What makes a computer translate its 0s and 1s into a language we can understand
Programs. Luckily most of the input and output is translated by
code that is in a special <iostream> library so we don't have to worry
to much about how this happens in this course... it is all
"High Energy Magic".
How does a Control unit talk to other devices
It use the computers "bus" -- a set of "wires" that connects
all the parts of the CPU. Each "wire" can transmit a single bit {0,1}
of information. The power of the CPU depends on how wide this
"highway" is. We have had chips with 4 bit, 8 bit, 16bit, 32 bit,
and 64 bit busses.
What were the first computers used for
Pretty much what computers are used for now: mathematical
calculations and data processing. This was all in "batch mode".
You provided the input and got the answers days or even weeks later.
Then came real time and interactive applications runing on minicomputers. With minicomputers the first computer-based communications systems started leading to the Internet and the Web.
The invention of the chip we made it possible for computers to control things from toasters to battleships by way of automobiles.
Why do we use g++ rather than gxx to compile things
The people who wrote our compiler (the Gnu Project) chose the
name 'g++'.
Does MS Windows come with a C/C++ compiler
No.
Can you reccommend a good free compiler for home use
Try the Gnu compiler. But under MS operating systems expect
your own C++/C programs to crash fairly often.
In order to program something does it have to be in a language that the computer understands
Pretty much. What matters is if you have software that translates your
program into the language that the computer "understands". Further,
the computer/compiler/software relies on you using the language correctly.
It will not correct your errors and will carry out the most stupid
instructions just the way you wrote them.
Is C++ only code or do you need soemthing else to make interactive programs that are more user friendly
C++ does not define ways of doing complex graphical applications.
However there are several libraries that let a C++ programmer
do this kind of thing. In CS201 we will stick with the fundamental
skills of programming rather than doing lots of specialized user
interface libraries.
Why is C++/C more efficient than Java
Because Java is not executed by the real hardware, it is
executed by an interpretter called the Java Virtual Machine.
This slows the program down.
Why is Java so easily converted between platforms
Because Java is not executed by the real hardware, it is
executed by an interpretter called the Java Virtual Machine.
It is easy to move the JVM to a new platform.
What is value of interpreting vs compiling
Interpreted languages (smalltalk) are easier to program, but
compiled languages produce faster running programs.
Why was FORTRAN popular when COBOL had better data
FORTRAN was (and is) popular with scientific programmers because
it does precisely what they want: Formular Translation. Scientists
don't need the complex data that COBOL is good at.
What is the different between static and dynamic linking
Static linking is done before the program is run. Typically
the library functions etc. are inserted in the executable
by a link loader. Dynamic loaded modules are added to the program
after it starts running as and when they are needed.
Static linking is simpler and safer but not as flexible or efficient.
WHat is an object oriented program
This is a program built bottom up from "object" -- little pieces of
data and encapsulated knowledge that work together to produce the
effect that the user prefers. We will spend then end of this quarter's
CS201 studying OO thinking and coding.
. . . . . . . . . ( end of section FAQs on Chapter 1) <<Contents | End>>
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