Past questions › sdd2024-q28
2024 3 marks Extended response The Software Engineering Project (Year 12) Debugging output statements v breakpoints
NESA 2024 HSC Software Design and Development (OLD syllabus) - Section II Question 28, with NESA Marking Guidelines
Distinguish between the use of debugging output statements and breakpoints when | 3 developing a software solution.
Marking criteria
[Question 28] Criteria | Marks • Distinguishes between the use of breakpoints and debugging output statements • Describes the use of breakpoints OR debugging output statements OR • Outlines reasons for the use of breakpoints AND debugging output statements • Provides some relevant information | 1
Sample answer
Sample answer: A debugging output statement is added to the code by the developer and can be used to indicate that a certain section of code has been reached or to show the contents of a variable at any specific stage of execution. A debugging output statement does not interrupt execution. A breakpoint can be added by the developer to halt execution and to allow the programmer to then check the value of specific variables or to step through the program line by line from then on.