NSC Information Technology Software Engineering Principles: 5.1 Differentiate between a synt

Question

5.1 Differentiate between a syntax error and a runtime error.

A syntax error occurs when the rules of the programming language (or an example of a programming language error) are violated, which prevents the program from running. An example of a syntax error is omitting a semicolon at the end of a statement.

A runtime error occurs when the program is executed and a problem is encountered, such as dividing by zero or trying to access an element of an array that does not exist.

5.1.2 Give TWO guidelines on how a programmer can construct useful error messages.

1. Explain the error in understandable terms to the user.
2. Provide an indication of whether the error is due to a problem with the software or hardware.

5.2 Several search algorithms are available to be used, e.g., binary and linear search algorithms.
What is the prerequisite for an array to be searched when using the binary search algorithm?

The array needs to be sorted before binary search can be done.

5.3 A novice programmer was testing a concept and wrote the following segment of Delphi code:

```
var
  I, S: Integer;
begin
  for I := 1 to 5 do
  begin
    S := S + I;
    ShowMessage(IntToStr(S));
  end;
end;
```

5.3.1 The programmer was expecting the final value of the variable S to be 15, but the dialog box showed the value of the variable S as 38319711.

Give a possible reason for this unexpected result.

Variable S is not given an initial value (not initialised).

5.3.2 Suggest TWO ways in which to improve the code of the novice programmer to be more readable.

1. Indentation to provide a readable structure.
2. Adding comments to explain the purpose of the code segments.

5.4 Consider the following flowchart:

Redraw the following incomplete trace table into your ANSWER BOOK.
Complete the trace table by tracing step by step through the flowchart depicted above.

5.5 Write an alternative line of Delphi code that will have the same effect as the following line of code:

`i := i + 1;`

`Inc(i);`

5.6 Consider the following class diagram:

```
  TEvent
  - fLocation: String
  - fEventDate: String
  - fCapacity: Integer
  <CONSTRUCTOR> Create(location: String; eventDate: TDate; capacity: integer)
  + getLocation(): String
  + setLocation(location);
  + setEventDate(eventDate: TDate);
  + setCapacity!(capacity: integer);
  + toString(): String;
```

5.6.1 What do the plus (+) and minus (-) symbols represent respectively?

The plus (+) indicates public members/methods/attributes, while the minus (-) indicates private members/methods/attributes.

5.6.2 Identify TWO errors in the class diagram provided.

1. `setLocation()`'s parameter doesn't specify a data type.
2. `getCapacity()` should return an integer data type.

5.6.3 Identify an auxiliary method in the class diagram provided.

5.1 Differentiate between a syntax error and a runtime error - NSC Information Technology - Question 5 - 2020 - Paper 2

Worked Solution & Example Answer:5.1 Differentiate between a syntax error and a runtime error - NSC Information Technology - Question 5 - 2020 - Paper 2

5.1.1 Differentiate between a syntax error and a runtime error.

5.1.2 Give TWO guidelines on how a programmer can construct useful error messages.

5.2 What is the prerequisite for an array to be searched when using the binary search algorithm?

5.3.1 Give a possible reason for this unexpected result.

5.3.2 Suggest TWO ways to improve the code of the novice programmer to be more readable.

5.5 Write an alternative line of Delphi code that will have the same effect as the following line of code: i := i + 1;

5.6.1 What do the plus (+) and minus (-) symbols represent respectively?

5.6.2 Identify TWO errors in the class diagram provided.

5.6.3 Identify an auxiliary method in the class diagram provided.

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