DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

AHMADU BELLO UNIVERISTY ZARIA

POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN DATA COMMUNICATION AND SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
Final Examination: Answer Any Six (6) questions.
1.

2.

Time: 2hr.

a.

What is a Programming Language?

b.

Identify four (4) reasons why are there so many Programming Languages?

c.

Some Programming Languages are popular and successful. Give five (4) reasons.

a.

Discuss any three (3) Programming Language design considerations.

b.

Designers need to define a variety of parameters when designing new Programming

Language. List any four (4) parameters.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

(10mrks)

(10mrks)

a.

Briefly explain the basic three (3) concepts that should be known by Programming
Language Designers.

b.

what do you understand by the following:

1.
Syntax
2.
Semantics

(10mrks)

a.

Mention four reasons why study programming concepts.

b.

Discuss any three (3) Programming Language evaluation criteria.

a.

List any four (4) programming domains and for each, give one example of
programming Language used.

b.

Write short note on the following:

1.
Variable
2.
Binding

3.

Type checking

(10mrks)

(10mrks)

a.

Discuss the available Programming Language translators.

b.

Using one of the translators discussed in (6a) above, illustrate how the following
equation is translated. Position = initial + rate * 60
(10mrks)

a.

Differentiate the following:

1.

b.

Scope and life time of a variable

2.

Primitive and complex data type

Consider the following C++ functions: void printheader ( )

{ } // end of printheader
void compute ( )
{ int sum ;

printheader ( );
} // end of compute
What is the scope and life time of sum?

(10mrks)