Sub-process: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 06:41, 19 November 2020

Explaining sub-processes^[1]

The role of a sub-process is to make a problem easier to solve, especially when a problem requires repetition. A sub-process is synonymous with a function.

What is a sub-process[edit]

A sub-process is a named-part of a larger process. This sub-process can be called many times, like a function. A sub-process accepts input, processes the input, and returns a result.

Example[edit]

Imagine we had a program which described monsters. The description of a monster can be ONLY ONE OF the following:

fluffy
spikey
slimy
scary

If we had 10 different monsters would it make sense for us to write this conditional 10 times?

def description_of_monster(value):
    if value == 1:
        return "fluffy"
    elif value == 2:
        return "spikey"
    elif value == 3:
        return "slimy"
    else:
         return "scary"

... of course not! It makes much more sense to create a sub-process so we can avoid repetition, increase efficiency, make our code more understandable.

Standards[edit]

These standards are used from the IB Computer Science Subject Guide^[2]

Explain the role of sub-procedures in solving a problem.

References[edit]

↑ http://www.flaticon.com/
↑ IB Diploma Programme Computer science guide (first examinations 2014). Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom: International Baccalaureate Organization. January 2012.

[1] ttp://www.flaticon.com/

[2] IB Diploma Programme Computer science guide (first examinations 2014). Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom: International Baccalaureate Organization. January 2012.

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[file:arrows.png|right|frame|Explaining sub-processes<ref>http://www.flaticon.com/</ref>]]
-The role of a sub process is often to make a problem easier to solve, especially when a problem requires repetition. A sub-process is synonymous with a [[function]].
+The role of a sub-process is to make a problem easier to solve, especially when a problem requires repetition. A sub-process is synonymous with a [[functions|function]].
-== How to evaluate a process ==
+== What is a sub-process ==
+A sub-process is a '''named-part''' of a larger process. This sub-process can be called many times, like a function. A sub-process accepts input, processes the input, and returns a result.
 === Example ===
+Imagine we had a program which described monsters. The description of a monster can be ONLY ONE OF the following:
+# fluffy
+# spikey
+# slimy
+# scary
-== Do you understand this? ==
+If we had 10 different monsters would it make sense for us to write this conditional 10 times?
+<syntaxhighlight lang="python">
+def description_of_monster(value):
+    if value == 1:
+        return "fluffy"
+    elif value == 2:
+        return "spikey"
+    elif value == 3:
+        return "slimy"
+    else:
+         return "scary"
+</syntaxhighlight>
+... of course not! It makes much more sense to create a sub-process so we can avoid repetition, increase efficiency, make our code more understandable.
 == Standards ==