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Knowledge/A Level/H446/02 Algorithms and programming/Programming Techniques/Use of an IDE to develop/debug a program

Use of an IDE to develop/debug a program

Use of an IDE to develop/debug a program.

2.2.1 Programming Techniques

Programming Techniques — Note 5 of 6

Candidates should have experience of using an IDE to produce code. Candidates need to understand the range of features and tools within an IDE that help produce and debug a program.

What you need to know

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) provides tools for writing, running, testing and debugging programs in one application. You should have practical experience of using an IDE and be able to explain how its features help.

What to know

  • Editor features: syntax highlighting, auto-completion, automatic indentation and line numbering make code easier to write and read.
  • Error diagnostics: highlight syntax errors and give their location and description.
  • Breakpoints: pause the program at a chosen line so the current state can be examined.
  • Stepping: run the program one line at a time to follow its exact path.
  • Variable watch: show the values of variables as the program runs, helping to find logic errors.
  • Run-time environment and built-in translator: run the program and see its output without leaving the IDE.

Key terms

IDEIntegrated Development Environment

Software that combines tools for writing, translating, running and debugging programs.

Exam technique

  • Tip:Describe what each feature DOES and HOW it helps find or fix errors. Naming a feature alone gains little credit.
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Back to Programming Techniques

Programming Techniques

Note 5 of 6

  1. 1Programming constructs: sequence, iteration, branching
  2. 2Recursion, how it can be used and how it compares to an iterative approach
  3. 3Global and local variables
  4. 4Modularity, functions and procedures, parameter passing by value and by reference
  5. 5Use of an IDE to develop/debug a program
  6. 6Use of object oriented techniques
Topic overview