Summer 2002 Test #1 Review Page
CSE1320 Section 501 Dr. Tiernan’s section
Topics to be covered on Test #1 with accompanying notes:
Data Types
int long,short unsigned
char signed
float exponential, decimal notation
know the:
representation of negative integers
max and min ranges for integers as relates to ANSI C
limits.h file
sizeof() operator
meaning of type conversions
reasons for type conversions automatic, forced, explicit
decimal (base 10) conversion
to hexadecimal (base 16)
to binary (base 2)
Variables
know the rules for valid identifiers
know the difference between initialization and assignment
expressions vs. statements
Control Structures
know what is meant by repetition, selection, sequential control structures
if (conditional) if else nested if else
while (test) for (initialization, test, processing)
blocks/compound statements { } vs. single statements
understand the return command in a function
Operations
recognize all the operations we have discussed
use the relational and arithmetic operators in writing code segments
perform bitwise operations on binary inputs
interpret combinations of test conditions which are combined with the logical operators
interpret conditional assignments and increment/decrement operators in code
be able to interpret test conditions for True/False (nonzero/zero) value
Input and output functions
scanf and printf commands
controlling the type of the input and output information with the % control operators
controlling output format with the / formatting operators
gets and puts
getchar and putchar
Arrays
be able to declare an array
know the range of index values used for arrays
understand how arrays are stored in memory
declaring functions with arrays as parameters
passing arrays as parameters
the whole array using pointer notation
a single element of an array
accessing an array and its elements inside the function it has been passed to
using arrays as pointers
efficiency of array notation vs pointer arithmetic
Pointers
know the rules for creating
know what a pointer contains
know the notation: *, &
understand pointer arithmetic
know the operations that can be performed on pointers
be able to access the contents of the location the pointer points to
vocabulary – dereference, indirection, addressing operator
initializing pointers and NULL
passing pointers as parameters
allocating memory with pointers
malloc, calloc, free, casting pointer types
Strings
declaring
need for end-of-string markers
difference from character arrays
Precedence
for the operators we have discussed so far, be able to give the precedence of each
group of operators to the other groups – arithmetic, logical, bitwise, relational
know Dr. T’s favorite page, D-4, Precedence chart
Functions
know the rules for creating
function prototype declarations
function definitions
know what function is required in any C program
understand the use of function parameters including void
know call-by-reference and call-by value
understand the return type of a function
know how to call a function
understand how to use the return value of a function
C library functions
strlen, strcat, strcpy, strchr, strcmp
be able to list at least three of the .h files from the standard C library – see Appendix F
Preprocessor directives
know what each of the following do:
#include <stdio.h>
Style
commenting whitespace
module size visually useful indenting
meaningful identifiers consistent use of braces
Test will have some or all of the following characteristics:
multiple choice questions (not more than 10) – typically 1 to 2 points each
short answer questions
coding questions which require either
writing code or
interpreting code or
debugging code
( “code” includes declarations, preprocessor directives, function definitions and
general coding of statements and control structures and I/O commands)
matching questions
fill-in-the-blank questions
Questions generally have their point value listed in braces at the end/side of the question
Every test will have at least 10 points worth of extra credit available
Test grades are assigned on a curve based on the range of actual scores on the test, i.e. the highest score on the test (for example, an 89) will be the top of the curve so all scores will be assigned based on where they fall (100 – 90 A, 89 – 80 B, etc.) AFTER the actual score has been divided by the curve. For example, a high score of 89 would give that student an A because 89/89 100 = 100. On the same test then, a score of 68 would be curved as 68/89*100 = 76 so that student would get a C (rather than a D for the original 68).
The test will be hard. I write very challenging questions that require you to think all the way through them. A few of the questions will be memory type questions because some rules must be memorized to make a student an efficient programmer in a language. Most however will require lots of mental effort. Do not get too upset about it – remember EVERYONE is suffering through the same test you are and that everyone’s grade will be curved. Check out my website for a few example test questions from last semester’s tests. They will give you a sense of how my tests are written.