Checkpoint - Decomposition in Computational Thinking

What is decomposition in computational thinking?

• Solving problems without any structure

• Ignoring complex problems

• Breaking down a complex problem into smaller parts

• Combining small problems into a larger one

Answer explanation

Decomposition in computational thinking refers to breaking down a complex problem into smaller, manageable parts. This approach helps in understanding and solving the problem more effectively.

Which tool is used to break down a program into smaller parts?

• Algorithm diagrams

• Structure charts

• Pseudocode

• Flowcharts

Answer explanation

Structure charts are specifically designed to break down a program into smaller, manageable parts, showing the relationships between them. This makes them the correct choice for the question.

What is a benefit of decomposition in software engineering?

• Makes debugging harder

• Enhances development efficiency

• Reduces collaboration

• Increases complexity

Answer explanation

Decomposition in software engineering enhances development efficiency by breaking down complex systems into manageable parts, allowing teams to work concurrently, improve focus, and streamline the development process.

How does decomposition improve focus and clarity?

• By solving all parts at once

• By making the problem more complex

• By dividing a system into sub-problems

• By ignoring smaller problems

Answer explanation

Decomposition improves focus and clarity by dividing a system into sub-problems. This approach allows individuals to tackle each part separately, making complex issues more manageable and easier to understand.

What does decomposition enable in terms of development?

• Isolated development

• Single-threaded development

• Parallel development

• Sequential development

Answer explanation

Decomposition allows breaking down a project into smaller parts, enabling multiple developers to work on different components simultaneously. This leads to parallel development, enhancing efficiency and speeding up the overall development process.

Why is decomposition useful for debugging?

• It requires testing the entire system at once

• It isolates problems within specific parts

• It complicates the testing process

• It makes errors harder to find

Answer explanation

Decomposition is useful for debugging because it isolates problems within specific parts of the system. This allows developers to identify and fix issues more efficiently, rather than testing the entire system at once.

How does decomposition promote reusability?

• By creating unique components for each project

• By preventing the reuse of components

• By making components specific to one project

• By allowing components to be reused in different projects

Answer explanation

Decomposition promotes reusability by allowing components to be reused in different projects. This modular approach enables developers to create versatile components that can serve multiple purposes, enhancing efficiency and reducing redundancy.

What is a result of decomposition in terms of code structure?

• Leads to monolithic code

• Leads to unstructured code

• Leads to modular code

• Leads to rigid code

Answer explanation

Decomposition in code structure breaks down complex systems into smaller, manageable parts, resulting in modular code. This enhances maintainability and reusability, contrasting with monolithic or unstructured approaches.

How does decomposition facilitate better testing?

• By making testing unnecessary

• By testing the entire system at once

• By allowing individual testing of components

• By ignoring individual components

Answer explanation

Decomposition allows for the individual testing of components, making it easier to identify and fix issues. This targeted approach enhances the overall quality of the system by ensuring each part functions correctly before integration.

How does decomposition enhance team collaboration?

• By assigning the same task to all members

• By making task assignments unclear

• By enabling clear task assignments

• By preventing task distribution

Answer explanation

Decomposition enhances team collaboration by enabling clear task assignments. This clarity helps team members understand their specific roles and responsibilities, leading to more effective teamwork and productivity.