Software Development Lifecycle Flashcards

What is the purpose of version control in software development?

Answer: To track changes, enable collaboration, and maintain code history

Version control systems track all code changes, enabling team collaboration and providing a complete history of modifications.

What is the DRY principle in programming?

Answer: Dont Repeat Yourself — avoid code duplication

DRY means every piece of knowledge should have a single, unambiguous representation in a system, reducing redundancy.

What is the difference between compiled and interpreted languages?

Answer: Compiled code is translated to machine code before execution; interpreted code is translated line by line during execution

Compiled languages are fully translated before execution, while interpreted languages are translated during runtime.

What is the purpose of unit testing?

Answer: To verify that individual components of code work correctly in isolation

Unit tests verify individual components in isolation, catching bugs early and making code more maintainable.

What is an algorithm?

Answer: A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem or accomplishing a task

An algorithm is a finite sequence of well-defined instructions for solving a specific problem or performing a computation.

What is the purpose of code review?

Answer: To identify bugs, improve code quality, and share knowledge among team members

Code review improves quality through peer examination, catches defects early, and spreads knowledge across the team.