Master Syntax and Grammar: A Comprehensive Guide for Programming Languages

Question 1

In Python, which syntax is valid for printing a string?

Accepted Answer

print("Hi there!")

Answer

echo 'Hello world'

Answer

puts 10

Answer

display(10.5)

Question 2

In C#, what is the correct syntax to declare an integer array named 'numbers' with 10 elements?

Accepted Answer

int[] numbers = new int[10];

Answer

numbers[] = new int[10];

Answer

int numbers(10);

Answer

int[10] = new numbers;

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a valid grammar in Java?

Accepted Answer

class Test { public static void main() { }

Answer

public static void main(String[] args) { }

Answer

int sum = a + b;

Answer

boolean flag = true;

Question 4

Which technique is commonly employed in programming languages to detect and match patterns within a sequence of characters?

Accepted Answer

Regular Expressions

Answer

Parsing

Answer

Compiler Design

Answer

Error Handling

Question 5

Which of the following is a fundamental syntactic rule in programming languages?

Accepted Answer

Semicolons are required to end statements.

Answer

Variable names must begin with a digit.

Answer

Comments can start with either a single or double slash.

Answer

Function names should use underscores for spacing.

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of a grammar in a programming language?

Accepted Answer

To establish the syntax and structure of the language.

Answer

To provide a visual representation of the program.

Answer

To create error messages during compilation.

Answer

To improve code performance through optimization.

Question 7

Which grammatical category determines the data types that variables can store?

Accepted Answer

Type

Answer

Expression

Answer

Statement

Answer

Identifier

Question 8

What is the distinction between a syntax error and a semantic error?

Accepted Answer

Syntax errors violate grammatical rules while semantic errors violate logical rules.

Answer

Semantic errors are more severe than syntax errors.

Answer

Syntax errors occur during compilation, while semantic errors occur during runtime.

Answer

Both syntax and semantic errors can be detected by a compiler.

Question 9

What is the primary purpose of Backus-Naur Form (BNF)?

Accepted Answer

To formally specify the syntax of programming languages.

Answer

To produce code for a given program.

Answer

To portray the structure of a program visually.

Answer

To verify the correctness of a program.

Question 10

Which programming language is renowned for its succinct and expressive syntax?

Accepted Answer

Haskell

Answer

C++

Answer

Python

Answer

Java

Question 11

What is the primary distinction between declarative and imperative programming languages?

Accepted Answer

Declarative languages specify what to calculate, while imperative languages focus on how.

Answer

Imperative languages outperform declarative languages in terms of efficiency.

Answer

Declarative languages are simpler to learn than imperative languages.

Answer

Imperative languages are more widely used than declarative languages.

Question 12

In syntax-directed translation, how is intermediate code generated from the provided source code?

Accepted Answer

Translating the source code into an intermediate representation for further processing

Answer

Directly translating the source code into machine code

Answer

Generating error messages for the source code

Question 13

In Python, which syntax is valid when declaring a variable named `my_variable`?

Accepted Answer

my_variable = 10

Answer

var my_variable = 10

Answer

let my_variable = 10

Question 14

In C, what is the purpose of a semicolon (;)?

Accepted Answer

To end a statement

Answer

To separate statements

Answer

To declare a variable

Question 15

Which of the following is a valid conditional statement in JavaScript?

Accepted Answer

if (condition) { ... }

Answer

if condition { ... }

Answer

if {condition} { ... }

Question 16

Explain the difference between a `for` loop and a `while` loop.

Accepted Answer

A `for` loop iterates over a sequence, while a `while` loop iterates until a condition is met.

Answer

A `while` loop iterates over a sequence, while a `for` loop iterates until a condition is met.

Answer

There is no difference between `for` and `while` loops.

Question 17

What is the role of the `this` keyword in JavaScript?

Accepted Answer

To reference the current object

Answer

To reference the parent object

Answer

To reference the global object

Question 18

In Java, which of the following is the correct syntax for declaring an array?

Accepted Answer

int[] myArray = new int[10];

Answer

int myArray[] = new int(10);

Answer

int myArray[10] = new int;

Question 19

What is the key distinction between a function and a method in programming?

Accepted Answer

A function operates independently, while a method is tied to a specific object.

Answer

A method operates independently, while a function is tied to a specific object.

Answer

There is no inherent difference between a function and a method.

Question 20

In a grammar for programming languages, what is the most fundamental unit of syntax called?

Accepted Answer

Token

Answer

Statement

Answer

Expression

Answer

Function

Question 21

Which of the following grammar types is not commonly used in programming languages?

Accepted Answer

Predicate logic grammar

Answer

Context-free grammar

Answer

Regular grammar

Answer

Attribute grammar

Question 22

What is the primary function of a parser in a compiler?

Accepted Answer

To verify the program's adherence to syntactic rules.

Answer

To convert the program into machine-readable code.

Answer

To enhance the program's performance.

Answer

To generate documentation for the program.

Question 23

When designing the syntax of a programming language, which of the following is NOT a key consideration?

Accepted Answer

Personal preferences of end-users

Answer

Clarity and simplicity

Answer

Expressiveness and versatility

Answer

Compiler complexity

Question 24

What is the fundamental distinction between context-free grammars and regular grammars?

Accepted Answer

Context-free grammars can express more intricate structures than regular grammars.

Answer

Regular grammars can handle sequences of symbols that are unbounded, while context-free grammars cannot.

Answer

Terminals and non-terminals are used in context-free grammars, while terminals alone are used in regular grammars.

Answer

There is no distinction between the two grammar types.

Question 25

Consider the code snippet: 'for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) { ... }'. What is the purpose of the semicolon at the end of this line?

Accepted Answer

Terminates the 'for' statement.

Answer

Separates the loop condition from its body.

Answer

Declares the variable 'i'.

Answer

It is optional and can be omitted.

Question 26

Which Python syntax is valid for defining a function?

Accepted Answer

def function_name(parameters):

Answer

def (function_name): parameters

Answer

define function_name(parameters)

Answer

function function_name = (parameters):

Question 27

In C++, what is the correct syntax for declaring a pointer to an integer variable?

Accepted Answer

int *ptr;

Answer

ptr int *;

Answer

*int ptr;

Answer

int ptr *;

Question 28

Which of the following is a valid regular expression for matching a digit in a string?

Accepted Answer

\d

Answer

\w

Answer

[0-9]

Answer

[a-z]

Question 29

Which JavaScript syntax is valid for creating an object using literal notation?

Accepted Answer

{ property1: value1, property2: value2 }

Answer

{ (property1: value1), (property2: value2) }

Answer

new { property1: value1, property2: value2 }

Answer

object { property1: value1, property2: value2 }

Question 30

What is the correct syntax for defining a class in Python?

Accepted Answer

class ClassName:

Answer

def ClassName:

Answer

class(ClassName):

Answer

ClassName = class:

Question 31

Which of the following is a valid XML element syntax?

Accepted Answer

Answer

<(element) attribute1="value1" attribute2="value2">

Answer

Answer

element< attribute1="value1" attribute2="value2" >

Question 32

In C#, what is the correct syntax to define an interface?

Accepted Answer

interface IName { ... }

Answer

struct IName { ... }

Answer

class IName { ... }

Question 33

Which of the following is a valid SQL syntax to create a table named 'students' with columns 'id', 'name', and 'age'?

Accepted Answer

CREATE TABLE students (id INT, name VARCHAR(255), age INT);

Answer

TABLE students (id INT, name VARCHAR(255), age INT);

Answer

CREATE students { id INT, name VARCHAR(255), age INT };

Answer

CREATE (students) (id INT, name VARCHAR(255), age INT);

Question 34

In HTML, what is the correct syntax to define a hyperlink to 'https://example.com' with the link text 'Example Website'?

Accepted Answer

Example Website

Answer

Example Website

Answer

linkExample Website

Answer

<a url="Example Website">https://example.com

Question 35

What is the purpose of a semicolon (;) in C++?

Accepted Answer

To terminate a statement

Answer

To declare a variable

Answer

To create a loop

Answer

To separate multiple statements on a single line

Question 36

Which of the following is a reserved keyword in Java?

Accepted Answer

if

Answer

function

Answer

loop

Answer

variable

Question 37

What is the purpose of the 'else' clause in a conditional statement?

Accepted Answer

To specify an action to be taken if the condition is false.

Answer

To specify an action to be taken if the condition is true.

Answer

To terminate the execution of the program.

Question 38

Which of the following is a valid syntax for an array declaration in Python?

Accepted Answer

my_array = [1, 2, 3]

Answer

my_array[] = [1, 2, 3]

Answer

my_array(3);

Answer

int[] my_array;

Question 39

What is the difference between a method and a function in programming?

Accepted Answer

A method is associated with a specific object, while a function is not.

Answer

A function can return a value, while a method cannot.

Answer

A method is declared using the 'def' keyword, while a function is declared using the 'func' keyword.

Question 40

Which of the following regular expressions is syntactically correct and matches a valid email address?

Accepted Answer

^[a-zA-Z0-9.!#$%&'*+/=?^_`{|}~-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9](?:[a-zA-Z0-9-]{0,61}[a-zA-Z0-9])?(?:\.[a-zA-Z0-9](?:[a-zA-Z0-9-]{0,61}[a-zA-Z0-9])?)*$

Answer

^[a-zA-Z0-9.!#$%&'*+/=?^_`{|}~-]+(@[a-zA-Z0-9](?:[a-zA-Z0-9-]{0,61}[a-zA-Z0-9])?)*$

Answer

^[a-zA-Z0-9.!#$%&'*+/=?^_`{|}~-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9](?:[a-zA-Z0-9-]{0,61}[a-zA-Z0-9])?

Question 41

Identify the correct syntax for a switch statement in Java.

Accepted Answer

switch (expression) { case value1: ...; case value2: ...; default: ...; }

Answer

if (expression) { case value1: ...; case value2: ...; default: ...; }

Answer

while (expression) { case value1: ...; case value2: ...; default: ...; }

Question 42

Consider the regular expression: (a|b)*. Which language does this regular expression represent?

Accepted Answer

Strings consisting of any number of 'a' or 'b' characters

Answer

Strings consisting of alternating 'a' and 'b' characters

Answer

Strings consisting of at least one 'a' or 'b' character

Question 43

Which property uniquely characterizes a deterministic finite automata (DFA)?

Accepted Answer

Unique next state for every input symbol in every state

Answer

Multiple next states for every input symbol in every state

Answer

Non-deterministic transitions between states

Question 44

Which technique is commonly used to convert a regular expression into a finite automata?

Accepted Answer

Thompson's construction

Answer

Earley parsing

Answer

Knuth-Morris-Pratt algorithm

Answer

Chomsky normal form

Question 45

Which property is unique to context-sensitive grammars?

Accepted Answer

Production rules can refer to their own non-terminal symbols

Answer

Production rules are always applied left-to-right

Answer

Each non-terminal symbol must have a unique start symbol

Question 46

Which aspect is NOT fundamental to syntax in programming languages?

Accepted Answer

Semantics

Answer

Lexemes

Answer

Tokens

Question 47

In a context-free grammar, which symbol represents a set of strings that can be produced?

Accepted Answer

Non-terminal symbol

Answer

Terminal symbol

Answer

Auxiliary symbol

Answer

Start symbol

Question 48

Consider the grammar rule: ::= ;. Which part of the rule is the head of the production?

Accepted Answer

Answer

::=

Answer

;

Answer

Question 49

Which benefit does a parser provide in compiler design?

Accepted Answer

Validating the syntactic structure of input code

Answer

Generating efficient machine code

Answer

Optimizing code execution speed

Answer

Handling runtime errors

Question 50

Which limitation affects LL(1) parsers?

Accepted Answer

Handling left-recursive grammars

Answer

Robust error handling

Answer

Simplicity of implementation

Answer

Efficient parsing speed

Question 51

What language is represented by the regular expression (a|b)*?

Accepted Answer

The set of all strings containing only 'a's and 'b's

Answer

The set of all strings starting with 'a'

Answer

The set of all palindromes

Question 52

Which type of grammar can generate context-sensitive languages?

Accepted Answer

Type-3 grammar

Answer

Type-1 grammar

Answer

Type-2 grammar