Time allowed: 25 minutes
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INSTRUCTIONS
- Use black ink.
- Answer all the questions.
INFORMATION
- The total mark for this paper is 22.
- The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
Turn over
Section A: Knowledge Recall
1
Tick (✓) one box in each row to identify the type of language described.
[3]
| Description |
High-Level Language |
Assembly Language |
Machine Code |
| Instructions are represented by binary patterns (e.g., 10110011). |
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| Uses mnemonics (e.g., LDA, ADD) to represent instructions. |
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| Code is portable and can run on many different processor types. |
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2
A programmer is using an IDE to write code. They type the command
prnit("Hello") instead of
print("Hello").
The IDE underlines this code in red before the program is run.
State the type of error the IDE has identified.
[1]
Section B: Application & IDE Tools
3
A software company is releasing a new calculator app for smartphones. They have chosen to use a
Compiler rather than an
Interpreter to translate the final code.
Explain
two reasons why a Compiler is the better choice for distributing this software to customers.
[4]
Reason 1: .....................................................................................................
Reason 2: .....................................................................................................
Turn over
4
Most modern IDEs include a
Run-Time Environment (RTE).
Describe the function of a Run-Time Environment and explain why it is beneficial for a programmer during development.
[3]
5
A developer is writing firmware for a washing machine's microcontroller. The memory available is extremely small (2KB).
Identify which type of language (High-level or Low-level) would be most appropriate and give one reason for your choice.
[2]
Language Type: .............................................................................................
Reason: ........................................................................................................
Section C: Deep Theory & Comparison
6
Compare High-level languages and Low-level languages.
In your answer, you must refer to:
- Translation requirements.
- How the code interacts with the computer hardware.
- Readability for the human programmer.
[6]
[Image of levels of programming language abstraction from high-level to hardware]
7
Explain why an
Interpreter is often preferred by students when learning to write code for the first time.
[3]
[Image of interpreter executing code line-by-line vs compiler translating entire file]
END OF QUESTION PAPER