ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 Definitions Worksheet: Algorithms, Flowcharts and Pseudocode and Tracing and Debugging Algorithms (Modules 420–481)
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Key terms
Write what each term means, in your own words.
1
trace table
2
condition column
3
one row per pass
4
prediction table
5
loop-back arrow
6
logic error
7
off-by-one error
8
swapped branches
9
loop placement error
10
re-trace
Answer Key
ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 · Modules 420–481 · Student wording will vary for definitions
1trace table — A table with one row per loop repeat. Record the IF condition result, change only the variables the branch updates, copy the rest down, and note any output.
2condition column — A trace table column headed by a condition, such as age >= 13, that records TRUE or FALSE on each row so you can see which path the algorithm took and why.
3one row per pass — Trace an IF inside a loop with one row for each pass, showing the condition result (true or false) and any variables that change. The final row gives the output.
4prediction table — A table listing each flowchart shape you visit in order, the Yes or No answer at each diamond, the variable values after each step, and any output.
5loop-back arrow — An arrow that returns to a decision diamond. Each time you follow it, add a new row to the trace table so every pass of the loop is recorded, until you take the exit arrow.
6logic error — A mistake in an algorithm's steps. It still runs to the end with no warning, but gives the wrong output. Only tracing or testing shows it, unlike a syntax error that breaks the writing rules.
7off-by-one error — A bug where a repeat count or stop test is wrong by one, such as count > 5 instead of count = 5, so the loop body runs one time too many or one time too few.
8swapped branches — The THEN and ELSE paths are the wrong way round, so the algorithm gives the opposite result for every input. Fix it by swapping the two paths or by flipping the condition.
9loop placement error — A bug where a step sits in the wrong place around a loop. A SHOW inside repeats every pass, and an update outside runs only once. Indentation shows which steps are inside the loop.
10re-trace — After a fix, trace the algorithm again with the same failing input, then other inputs, to check the output now matches what was expected.