Chapter 1 : Problem Set

Q6 : What common programming language statement, in your opinion, is most detrimental to readability?

A   : So far, I've only learned language C. But I think those languages that have too many features are the most detrimental to readability.

Q7 : Java uses a right brace to mark the end of all compound statements. What are the arguments for and against the design?

A    : Pros : It’s simple. It's like ending a sentence, but instead of using a full-stop, we use right brace.

         Cons : Sometimes, the location of its matching left brace isn't obvious.

Q8 : Many languages distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letter in user-defined names. What are the pros and cons of this design decision?

A  : Pros : It allows us to differentiate variables based on whether they are uppercase or not.

        Cons : It is troublesome, because if we forget to change the letter to the proper case, it can cause some problems when we run the program.

Q9 : Explain the different aspects of cost of a programming language.

A  : The different aspects of the cost of programming languages lies in their complexities. The data structure and the data types are another different aspects.

Q10 : What are the arguments for writing efficient programs even though hardware is relatively inexpensive?

A     : Efficiency doesn't just mean saving disk space, or making things faster, it also relates to maintenance and reliability. Current programs that are written poorly because of cheap hardware are just as bad as poorly written programs of the past, they waste resources in both time and space. Inefficient programs cause page faults, memory errors, and leaks that can cause system-wide crashes. Just because the system may have more memory and speed does not make it impervious to bad programming.