[Year 12 SofDev] Programming Instructions

[Mark KELLY]

I think you mean you are "floored".
The question, however, is probably "flawed".

:-)

On 16 May 2012 08:39, Adrian Janson <janson.adrian.a at edumail.vic.gov.au>wrote:

> Just catching up on this thread!****
>
> ** **
>
> I must confess that I am a bit flawed by this answer – if the ‘answer’ is
> A – then certainly I would have I answered it incorrectly – and probably
> missed out on my ‘50’….  I am not sure how a ‘function’ is the answer –
> perhaps it is a typo?****
>
> ** **
>
> Cheers,****
>
> Adrian Janson****
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:
> sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Mark KELLY
> *Sent:* Wednesday, 16 May 2012 8:05 AM
> *To:* Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
> *Subject:* Re: [Year 12 SofDev] Programming Instructions****
>
> ** **
>
> I wonder if the examiners were thinking of inherent functions such as MID,
> SQRT, COS etc, because I haven't seen single-line functions since the days
> of Quickbasic.****
>
> On 15 May 2012 22:34, Kevork Krozian <kevork at edulists.com.au> wrote:****
>
> Hi Mark,****
>
>  ****
>
> I do have to agree with you.  ****
>
> While a function can modify a variable’s content it does not have to do so
> ( BTW , what is “content” ? is it the value it holds ? the data type it
> holds ? the name of the variable ? ).****
>
> You can write a function that does not modify a variable’s “content”. ****
>
> By contrast I also accept that you can write an instruction that does not
> modify a variable by which I am thinking of print a string. ****
>
>  ****
>
> I can’t see how instruction can be wrong here and how it isn’t the most
> appropriate answer. ****
>
>  ****
>
> Kevork Krozian****
>
> Edulists Creator Administrator****
>
> www.edulists.com.au****
>
> tel: 0419 356 034****
>
>  ****
>
> *From:* sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:
> sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Michael Wooldridge
> *Sent:* Tuesday, 15 May 2012 3:05 PM
> *To:* 'Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List'
> *Subject:* Re: [Year 12 SofDev] Programming Instructions****
>
>  ****
>
> Re question 9. I see your point and, technically, I think you are quite
> correct. ****
>
>  ****
>
> Perhaps however the answer lies in the word ‘modifies’. Is A=0, setting
> the initial value of the variable, while the function modifies it? I don’t
> know! It’s a debate that could rage on for a while. ****
>
>  ****
>
> If it does, I’m siding with you, that an instruction is the most
> appropriate answer.****
>
>  ****
>
> *[image: Description: signiture]*****
>
> * *****
>
> *"It is the tragedy of the world that no one knows what he doesn't know -
> and the less a man knows, the more sure he is that he knows everything" *Joyce
> Cary.****
>
>  ****
>
> *Michael Wooldridge*****
>
> Information Technology Coordinator****
>
> Mornington Secondary College****
>
> 1051 Nepean Highway, Mornington 3931****
>
> (: 03 59700250 6: 03 59700299****
>
> mwo at mornsc.vic.edu.au****
>
>  ****
>
> **
>
>  ****
>
> *From:* sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au
> [mailto:sofdev-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Mark KELLY
> *Sent:* Tuesday, 15 May 2012 2:06 PM
> *To:* Year 12 Software Development Teachers' Mailing List
> *Subject:* [Year 12 SofDev] Programming Instructions****
>
>  ****
>
> I've put the SD examiners' comments on the 2011 exam into my post mortem
> (http://www.vceit.com/postmortems/2011sd/SD2011exam.htm)
>
> In the process I noticed section A, Q9...
>
> In a program, a line of code that modifies a variable's content is best
> described as a
>
> A. function.
> B. procedure.
> C. instruction.
> D. control structure.
>
> The official answer was A.
>
> I don't know about this one... I acknowledge the word "best" but still
> wonder why couldn't the answer equally be an instruction?
> A common instruction like A=0 modifies a variable's content just as often
> as a function would... more often, probably.
>
> The study design (U3O2 KK09) says kids need to know "processing features
> of programming languages, including instructions, procedures, methods,
> functions and control structures" but instructions are not defined by the
> glossary, the old Fitzpatrick/Keane text, or Adrian's text (it's not in the
> index at least).
>
> What do you regard as an instruction?  Trying to get a definition from the
> internet is frustratingly elusive...
>
> --
> Mark Kelly
> Manager of ICT, Reporting, IT Learning Area
> McKinnon Secondary College
> McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia
> Direct line / Voicemail: +613 8520 9085, Fax +613 9578 9253
> kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au (don't use my Edumail account!)
> VCE IT Lecture Notes: http://vceit.com
> Moderator: IT Applications Edulist
>
> --
> An E-flat, a C, and a G go into a bar. The bartender says, "I'm sorry, but
> I can't serve minors."****
>
>
> --
> Mark Kelly
>
>
-- 
Mark Kelly
Manager of ICT, Reporting, IT Learning Area
McKinnon Secondary College
McKinnon Rd McKinnon 3204, Victoria, Australia
Direct line / Voicemail: +613 8520 9085, Fax +613 9578 9253
kel at mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au (don't use my Edumail account!)
VCE IT Lecture Notes: http://vceit.com
Moderator: IT Applications Edulist

--
An E-flat, a C, and a G go into a bar. The bartender says, "I'm sorry, but
I can't serve minors."
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