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Computer Science Praxis Study Guide Questions and Answers Latest Version Graded A+
What is the difference between a compiler and an interpreter?✔✔ A compiler translates the entire source code into machine code before execution, while an interpreter translates and executes code line-by-line.
How does a binary search algorithm work?✔✔ It repeatedly divides a sorted list in half to find a target value efficiently.
What is the purpose of a data structure?✔✔ To organize and store data efficiently for easy access and modification.
What does the term "recursion" mean in programming?✔✔ A function that calls itself directly or indirectly to solve a problem.
Why is modular programming beneficial? 1 / 4
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✔✔ It breaks a program into smaller, manageable, reusable pieces, making debugging and maintenance easier.
What is the main function of an operating system?✔✔ To manage hardware resources and provide services for computer programs.
What is the difference between RAM and ROM?✔✔ RAM is volatile memory used for temporary data storage during execution; ROM is non- volatile memory that stores permanent data and instructions.
Explain what a hash function does.✔✔ It converts input data into a fixed-size string of characters, usually for quick data retrieval.
What does the term "inheritance" mean in object-oriented programming?✔✔ It allows a class to acquire properties and behaviors (methods) from another class.
What is a pointer in programming?✔✔ A variable that stores the memory address of another variable. 2 / 4
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How do stacks and queues differ?✔✔ A stack follows Last-In-First-Out (LIFO), while a queue follows First-In-First-Out (FIFO).
What is the purpose of a flowchart?✔✔ To visually represent the steps and decisions in an algorithm or process.
What is an API (Application Programming Interface)?✔✔ A set of rules and tools that allow different software applications to communicate with each other.
Describe the concept of "encapsulation" in software development.✔✔ Encapsulation hides internal data and implementation details, exposing only necessary parts through interfaces.
What is Big O notation used for?✔✔ To describe the efficiency and performance of an algorithm in terms of time or space complexity. 3 / 4
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What is a linked list?✔✔ A data structure consisting of nodes where each node contains data and a reference to the next node.
What is a race condition?✔✔ A problem in concurrent programming where the system’s behavior depends on the timing of uncontrollable events.
Why is normalization important in databases?✔✔ To reduce data redundancy and improve data integrity by organizing tables efficiently.
Explain the difference between static and dynamic typing.✔✔ Static typing checks data types at compile-time; dynamic typing checks data types at runtime.
What is a deadlock in concurrent systems?✔✔ A situation where two or more processes wait indefinitely for each other to release resources.
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