PSU COMPUTER SCIENCE 101 QUESTION SET
WITH RATIONALES AND SOFTWARE
DEVELOPMENT BASICS REVIEW 2026
◉ psuedocode.
Answer: a simplified programming notation between natural
language and programming language, used in program design
◉ sequential search.
Answer: Search algorithm where we look at each element in the list
until we find what we are searching or reach end of list. Complexity:
best = O(1), avg/worst = O(n)
◉ binary search.
Answer: used with a sorted list. Look at the middle element and
compare to what we are searching for. If not the middle, repeat with
the half of the list our element will be in. Complexity: best = O(1),
avg/worst = O(log n)
◉ selection sort.
Answer: sorting algorithm that searches through list for max/min
value. Place element in correct location and repeat for the rest of list.
Complexity: O(n^2)
,◉ Constant time.
Answer: O(1)
◉ Quadratic time.
Answer: O(n^2)
◉ Big O.
Answer: describes the performance or complexity of an algorithm as
input grows to infinity
◉ Desirable properties of an algorithm.
Answer: - Easy to use
- elegance
- efficiency
- correctness
◉ Analysis of Algorithms.
Answer: the study of the efficiency of algorithms
◉ time efficiency.
,Answer: the amount of time an algorithm takes to do its job. There is
often a tradeoff between algorithmic time efficiency and space
efficiency
◉ library.
Answer: a collection of useful commands / functions, prewritten
algorithms typically with a shared purpose
◉ abstraction.
Answer: a way to hide/reduce complex details of a problem
◉ computer.
Answer: a device that:
1) takes input
2) processes the input in some way
3) produces output
◉ computer science.
Answer: The study of algorithms. includes:
1) their hardware realization
2) their software realization
3) their formal and mathematical properties
, 4) their real world application
◉ unsolvable problem.
Answer: a problem in which no generalization algorithmic solution
exists
◉ IDLE.
Answer: integrated development and learning environment
◉ Ada Lovelace.
Answer: first computer programmer
◉ Linus Torvalds.
Answer: person who started and developed the Linux kernel
◉ positional numbering system.
Answer: numbering system where value of each digit depends on
the digit itself and the position of the digit in the number
◉ binary.
Answer: base 2 positional numbering system
WITH RATIONALES AND SOFTWARE
DEVELOPMENT BASICS REVIEW 2026
◉ psuedocode.
Answer: a simplified programming notation between natural
language and programming language, used in program design
◉ sequential search.
Answer: Search algorithm where we look at each element in the list
until we find what we are searching or reach end of list. Complexity:
best = O(1), avg/worst = O(n)
◉ binary search.
Answer: used with a sorted list. Look at the middle element and
compare to what we are searching for. If not the middle, repeat with
the half of the list our element will be in. Complexity: best = O(1),
avg/worst = O(log n)
◉ selection sort.
Answer: sorting algorithm that searches through list for max/min
value. Place element in correct location and repeat for the rest of list.
Complexity: O(n^2)
,◉ Constant time.
Answer: O(1)
◉ Quadratic time.
Answer: O(n^2)
◉ Big O.
Answer: describes the performance or complexity of an algorithm as
input grows to infinity
◉ Desirable properties of an algorithm.
Answer: - Easy to use
- elegance
- efficiency
- correctness
◉ Analysis of Algorithms.
Answer: the study of the efficiency of algorithms
◉ time efficiency.
,Answer: the amount of time an algorithm takes to do its job. There is
often a tradeoff between algorithmic time efficiency and space
efficiency
◉ library.
Answer: a collection of useful commands / functions, prewritten
algorithms typically with a shared purpose
◉ abstraction.
Answer: a way to hide/reduce complex details of a problem
◉ computer.
Answer: a device that:
1) takes input
2) processes the input in some way
3) produces output
◉ computer science.
Answer: The study of algorithms. includes:
1) their hardware realization
2) their software realization
3) their formal and mathematical properties
, 4) their real world application
◉ unsolvable problem.
Answer: a problem in which no generalization algorithmic solution
exists
◉ IDLE.
Answer: integrated development and learning environment
◉ Ada Lovelace.
Answer: first computer programmer
◉ Linus Torvalds.
Answer: person who started and developed the Linux kernel
◉ positional numbering system.
Answer: numbering system where value of each digit depends on
the digit itself and the position of the digit in the number
◉ binary.
Answer: base 2 positional numbering system
