Choosing a language level for a scenario

Name:

Date:

Class:

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. A school builds a homework app that must run on Windows, macOS and Chromebooks. Which language level should it choose?

A Low-level language

B High-level language

2. A programmer is writing a device driver that must control a printer's hardware directly. Which language level fits best?

A Low-level language

B High-level language

3. Which justification is stronger for choosing a high-level language for a web app?

A It is machine independent, so it can run on many different devices.

B It is a good choice because high-level is newer.

4. An embedded controller in a washing machine has very little memory and needs exact control of its hardware. Which language level is more suitable?

A Low-level, for direct hardware control and efficient use of memory

B High-level, because it is machine independent

5. Which statement about a program that must run on many different machines is correct?

A Choose low-level, because machine code works on every processor.

B Choose high-level, because the same source code can be translated for each machine.

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1Scenario: a web app for many different computers		AHigh-level, because the app must be portable and run on many machines
2Scenario: a device driver that controls a printer		BLow-level, because the controller needs direct access to hardware
3A justified answer links the language level to a need of the task		CLow-level code is machine dependent, so it is not portable. A high-level language should be chosen.
4An embedded controller needing exact memory and hardware control suits a low-level language		DChoose a high-level language, because it is machine independent and runs on many machines
5Use assembly language for a portable app that must run on many different computers		EThe answer gives no justification. It must link the choice to the task's needs, such as direct hardware control.
6Use a high-level language because it is good. (no link to the task)		FChoose a low-level language, because it can directly manipulate the hardware

Definitions

choose language level

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

IF runsOnManyMachines THEN level ← "__________" ENDIF

IF task = "device driver" THEN level ← "_________" ENDIF

needsPortability ← TRUE IF ________________ = TRUE THEN level ← "high-level"

level ← "high-level" reason ← "it runs on many machines" ______ level + " because " + reason

IF device _ "embedded controller" THEN level ← "low-level" ENDIF

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A portable = True

B hw = False

C level = "low-level"

D if portable and hw:

E level = "high-level"

Question 2

A task = "device driver"

B needs_hardware = False

C if needs_hardware:

D print("low-level")

Question 3

A task = "web app"

B machines = 500

C if machines < 1:

D print("high-level")

Question 4

A task = "washing machine chip"

B memory_tiny = True

C if not memory_tiny:

D print("low-level")

Question 5

A level = "high-level"

B why = "runs on many machines"

C print(level, "as", reason)

Answer Key

Choosing a language level for a scenario

Section A: Quick Questions

B — High-level language

A — Low-level language

A — It is machine independent, so it can run on many different devices.

A — Low-level, for direct hardware control and efficient use of memory

B — Choose high-level, because the same source code can be translated for each machine.

Section B: Match the Pairs

Scenario: a web app for many different computers → Choose a high-level language, because it is machine independent and runs on many machines

Scenario: a device driver that controls a printer → Choose a low-level language, because it can directly manipulate the hardware

A justified answer links the language level to a need of the task → High-level, because the app must be portable and run on many machines

An embedded controller needing exact memory and hardware control suits a low-level language → Low-level, because the controller needs direct access to hardware

Use assembly language for a portable app that must run on many different computers → Low-level code is machine dependent, so it is not portable. A high-level language should be chosen.

Use a high-level language because it is good. (no link to the task) → The answer gives no justification. It must link the choice to the task's needs, such as direct hardware control.

Section C: Definitions

choose language level — Pick high-level for portable programs on many machines; pick low-level for direct hardware control, like drivers. Then justify the choice by linking it to the task's needs.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

IF runsOnManyMachines THEN
  level ← "high-level"
ENDIF

IF task = "device driver" THEN
  level ← "low-level"
ENDIF

needsPortability ← TRUE
IF needsPortability = TRUE THEN
  level ← "high-level"

level ← "high-level"
reason ← "it runs on many machines"
OUTPUT level + " because " + reason

IF device = "embedded controller" THEN
  level ← "low-level"
ENDIF

Section E: Spot the Error

D — High-level is chosen for a portable program that does not need direct hardware control. The condition should be 'portable and not hw'.

B — A device driver must control hardware directly, so needs_hardware should be True. Otherwise the low-level branch never runs.

C — A program that runs on many machines needs a portable high-level language. The test should be machines > 1, not < 1.

C — An embedded controller with tiny memory needs efficient low-level code. The test should be 'if memory_tiny:' so the low-level branch runs.

C — The justification variable is called why, so reason is undefined and causes an error. It should be print(level, "as", why).