WGU D278: SCRIPTING AND PROGRAMMING FOUNDATIONS
COMPLETE LATEST QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS -
UPDATED 2026/2027
# Question Answer
1 What is an algorithm? A step-by-step set of instructions
for solving a problem or
completing a task.
2 What is a program? A set of instructions written in a
programming language that a
computer can execute.
3 What is source code? Human-readable instructions
written by a programmer in a
programming language.
4 What is a compiler? A program that translates source
code from a high-level language
into machine code all at once
before execution.
5 What is an interpreter? A program that translates and
executes source code line-by-
line at runtime, without producing
a separate executable.
6 What is the difference between Compiled languages translate
compiled and interpreted entire programs to machine code
languages? before running; interpreted
languages translate and run
code line by line at runtime.
7 What is pseudocode? An informal, high-level
description of an algorithm using
plain language and
WGU D278 Study Guide | Page 1 of 32
,# Question Answer
programming-like syntax, not
bound to any specific language.
8 What is a flowchart? A diagram using shapes and
arrows to represent the steps
and decisions in an algorithm or
process.
9 What is a syntax error? An error caused by code that
violates the grammatical rules of
a programming language,
preventing compilation or
execution.
10 What is a runtime error? An error that occurs during
program execution, such as
dividing by zero or accessing an
invalid memory address.
11 What is a logic error? An error where the program runs
without crashing but produces
incorrect results due to flawed
reasoning in the code.
12 What does IDE stand for? Integrated Development
Environment - a software tool
that combines a code editor,
debugger, and build tools in one
interface.
13 What is machine code? Binary instructions (0s and 1s)
that a computer's CPU can
execute directly.
14 What is a high-level A language closer to human
programming language? language and abstracted from
hardware details, such as
Python, Java, or JavaScript.
15 What is a low-level programming A language closer to machine
language? code with minimal abstraction,
such as Assembly or machine
language.
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,# Question Answer
16 What is abstraction in Hiding complex implementation
programming? details and exposing only the
essential features, reducing
complexity for the programmer.
17 What is a statement in A single instruction or command
programming? that performs an action, such as
an assignment or a function call.
18 What is an expression? A combination of values,
variables, and operators that
evaluates to a single value.
19 What is a keyword in A reserved word with a special
programming? meaning in a language, such as
'if', 'while', or 'return', that cannot
be used as an identifier.
20 What is an identifier? A name given to a variable,
function, class, or other entity in
a program.
21 What is a comment in code? Text in source code that is
ignored by the
compiler/interpreter, used to
explain or document the code for
humans.
22 What is a script? A program written in a scripting
language, typically interpreted
and used to automate tasks.
23 What is the purpose of Indentation improves readability
indentation in code? and, in some languages like
Python, defines code blocks and
scope.
24 What does 'execute' mean in To run or carry out a program or
programming? set of instructions.
25 What is a token in programming? The smallest unit in a program's
source code, such as a keyword,
identifier, literal, or operator.
WGU D278 Study Guide | Page 3 of 32
, # Question Answer
26 What is debugging? The process of finding and fixing
errors (bugs) in a program.
27 What is iteration? Repeating a set of instructions a
number of times, implemented
using loops.
28 What is a literal? A fixed value written directly in
code, such as the number 42 or
the string 'hello'.
29 What is concatenation? Joining two or more strings
together end-to-end to form a
new string.
30 What is the purpose of a main The main function serves as the
function? entry point of a program where
execution begins.
Variables & Data Types
# Question Answer
31 What is a variable? A named storage location in
memory that holds a value which
can change during program
execution.
32 What is a constant? A named value that is assigned
once and cannot be changed
after initialization.
33 What is a data type? A classification that specifies
what kind of value a variable can
hold, such as integer, string, or
boolean.
34 What is an integer data type? A data type that stores whole
numbers without decimals, such
as -3, 0, or 42.
WGU D278 Study Guide | Page 4 of 32
COMPLETE LATEST QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS -
UPDATED 2026/2027
# Question Answer
1 What is an algorithm? A step-by-step set of instructions
for solving a problem or
completing a task.
2 What is a program? A set of instructions written in a
programming language that a
computer can execute.
3 What is source code? Human-readable instructions
written by a programmer in a
programming language.
4 What is a compiler? A program that translates source
code from a high-level language
into machine code all at once
before execution.
5 What is an interpreter? A program that translates and
executes source code line-by-
line at runtime, without producing
a separate executable.
6 What is the difference between Compiled languages translate
compiled and interpreted entire programs to machine code
languages? before running; interpreted
languages translate and run
code line by line at runtime.
7 What is pseudocode? An informal, high-level
description of an algorithm using
plain language and
WGU D278 Study Guide | Page 1 of 32
,# Question Answer
programming-like syntax, not
bound to any specific language.
8 What is a flowchart? A diagram using shapes and
arrows to represent the steps
and decisions in an algorithm or
process.
9 What is a syntax error? An error caused by code that
violates the grammatical rules of
a programming language,
preventing compilation or
execution.
10 What is a runtime error? An error that occurs during
program execution, such as
dividing by zero or accessing an
invalid memory address.
11 What is a logic error? An error where the program runs
without crashing but produces
incorrect results due to flawed
reasoning in the code.
12 What does IDE stand for? Integrated Development
Environment - a software tool
that combines a code editor,
debugger, and build tools in one
interface.
13 What is machine code? Binary instructions (0s and 1s)
that a computer's CPU can
execute directly.
14 What is a high-level A language closer to human
programming language? language and abstracted from
hardware details, such as
Python, Java, or JavaScript.
15 What is a low-level programming A language closer to machine
language? code with minimal abstraction,
such as Assembly or machine
language.
WGU D278 Study Guide | Page 2 of 32
,# Question Answer
16 What is abstraction in Hiding complex implementation
programming? details and exposing only the
essential features, reducing
complexity for the programmer.
17 What is a statement in A single instruction or command
programming? that performs an action, such as
an assignment or a function call.
18 What is an expression? A combination of values,
variables, and operators that
evaluates to a single value.
19 What is a keyword in A reserved word with a special
programming? meaning in a language, such as
'if', 'while', or 'return', that cannot
be used as an identifier.
20 What is an identifier? A name given to a variable,
function, class, or other entity in
a program.
21 What is a comment in code? Text in source code that is
ignored by the
compiler/interpreter, used to
explain or document the code for
humans.
22 What is a script? A program written in a scripting
language, typically interpreted
and used to automate tasks.
23 What is the purpose of Indentation improves readability
indentation in code? and, in some languages like
Python, defines code blocks and
scope.
24 What does 'execute' mean in To run or carry out a program or
programming? set of instructions.
25 What is a token in programming? The smallest unit in a program's
source code, such as a keyword,
identifier, literal, or operator.
WGU D278 Study Guide | Page 3 of 32
, # Question Answer
26 What is debugging? The process of finding and fixing
errors (bugs) in a program.
27 What is iteration? Repeating a set of instructions a
number of times, implemented
using loops.
28 What is a literal? A fixed value written directly in
code, such as the number 42 or
the string 'hello'.
29 What is concatenation? Joining two or more strings
together end-to-end to form a
new string.
30 What is the purpose of a main The main function serves as the
function? entry point of a program where
execution begins.
Variables & Data Types
# Question Answer
31 What is a variable? A named storage location in
memory that holds a value which
can change during program
execution.
32 What is a constant? A named value that is assigned
once and cannot be changed
after initialization.
33 What is a data type? A classification that specifies
what kind of value a variable can
hold, such as integer, string, or
boolean.
34 What is an integer data type? A data type that stores whole
numbers without decimals, such
as -3, 0, or 42.
WGU D278 Study Guide | Page 4 of 32
