Question

Mark the following statements as true or false. a. The first device known to carry out calculations was the Pascaline. b. Modern-day computers can accept spoken-word instructions but cannot imitate human reasoning. c. In ASCII coding, every character is coded as a sequence of 8 bits. d. \(A\) compiler translates a high-level program into assembly language. e. The arithmetic operations are performed inside the \(\mathrm{CPU}\), and if an error is found, it outputs the logical errors. f. A sequence of 0 s and 1 s is called a decimal code. g. A linker links and loads the object code from main memory into the CPU for execution. h. Development of a \(\mathrm{C}++\) program includes six steps. i. A program written in a high-level programming language is called a source program. I. \(\quad Z B\) stands for zero byte. k. The first step in the problem-solving process is to analyze the problem. I. In object-oriented design, a program is a collection of interacting functions.

Short answer

Statements true are: h, i, k. All others are false.

Step-by-step solution

Evaluate Statement a

The Pascaline, invented by Blaise Pascal in the 1640s, was one of the earliest mechanical calculators, but not the first device known to carry out calculations. The abacus is the earliest device used for simple arithmetic tasks. Thus, statement a is false.

Evaluate Statement b

Modern-day computers can accept spoken-word instructions through voice recognition technologies. They also have systems capable of mimicking some aspects of human reasoning with artificial intelligence and machine learning. Hence, statement b is false.

Evaluate Statement c

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) represents each character with a 7-bit code, though it is often stored in an 8-bit byte for convenience. Thus, statement c is technically true for storage but false regarding actual coding.

Evaluate Statement d

A compiler translates a high-level programming language directly into machine code, not assembly language. Assemblers translate assembly language into machine code. Therefore, statement d is false.

Evaluate Statement e

Arithmetic operations are performed inside the ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) of the CPU, but the CPU does not output logical errors. Logical errors are usually detected during debugging by the programmer. Thus, statement e is false.

Evaluate Statement f

A sequence of 0s and 1s is referred to as binary code, not decimal code. Therefore, statement f is false.

Evaluate Statement g

A linker combines object files into a single executable, but it's the loader that loads the executable code into the main memory, not the CPU directly. Thus, statement g is false.

Evaluate Statement h

The development of a C++ program generally follows steps like problem analysis, design, coding, testing, and maintenance, but the reference to six specific steps is common, so statement h is true.

Evaluate Statement i

A program written in a high-level language is known as a source program. Therefore, statement i is true.

Evaluate Statement I (ZB)

ZB typically stands for zettabyte, a large unit of digital information storage. Zero byte would be abbreviated as '0B'. Therefore, statement I is false.

Evaluate Statement k

The first step in the problem-solving process is indeed to analyze the problem, to understand what needs to be solved. Hence, statement k is true.

Evaluate Statement l

In object-oriented design, a program is typically a collection of interacting objects, not functions. Therefore, statement l is false.

Key concepts

The Problem-Solving Process

The problem-solving process is a crucial aspect of programming and involves several organized steps. It begins with problem analysis, where you thoroughly understand the problem statement. This step is critical because a clear understanding lays the foundation for finding a solution. Once the problem is analyzed, the next step involves planning a solution. This might include identifying the required outputs, inputs, and processing steps. After planning, the actual coding begins, where the plan is translated into a computer program using a programming language like C++. Testing follows coding. It is essential to test the program to ensure that it meets the requirements and functions correctly. Lastly, the process concludes with maintenance, where the program is regularly updated and improved to adapt to new requirements and fix any emerging issues. By following these steps, programmers ensure that they address the problem systematically, minimizing mistakes and optimizing the time taken to find a solution.

High-Level Programming Language

A high-level programming language is designed to be easy for humans to read and write. Unlike low-level languages, which are closely tied to a computer's hardware, high-level languages abstract away much of the complex details, allowing developers to focus on problem-solving rather than technical intricacies. C++ is a widely used high-level language. It enables developers to write efficient and maintainable code. High-level languages often need to be translated into machine code, which is done by a compiler. This translation allows the code to be understandable by the computer, enabling it to execute the instructions written by the programmer. High-level languages often come with numerous built-in functions and libraries, which provide pre-written code for common tasks, simplifying development and reducing the potential for errors.

ASCII Coding

ASCII, which stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange, is a character encoding standard used in computers and electronic devices. Each character, be it a letter, number, or symbol, is assigned a unique binary numerical code. ASCII originally used a 7-bit binary number to represent each character, allowing for 128 unique symbols. However, in modern applications, these are often stored using 8 bits (one byte), which permits the use of an additional bit for wider compatibility or error checking. This use of 8 bits is mainly for ease and storage rather than the actual encoding process. ASCII is fundamental because it provides a universal way to encode text data, making it consistent across different systems and platforms. This consistency is crucial for the functioning of modern software and networks.

Object-Oriented Design

Object-oriented design (OOD) is a programming paradigm based on the concept of "objects," which contain data and methods to manipulate that data. This design approach promotes the organization of software as a collection of discrete objects that interact with each other to perform tasks. The key principles of OOD include encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. Encapsulation refers to hiding the internal state of objects and requiring interaction through methods. Inheritance allows new classes to inherit properties and behavior from existing ones, promoting code reuse. Polymorphism enables objects to be treated as instances of their parent class, facilitating flexibility and integration. In C++, object-oriented design is widely used because it aligns with real-world modeling and problem-solving. It allows developers to build software that is modular, scalable, and easier to maintain, reflecting the goal aligned with the exercise in question: creating systems that interact through a collection of well-defined objects rather than just functions.