Final answer:
Top-down programming design breaks complex problems into simpler steps and consists of multiple modules, making it adaptable and easy to modify if changes are needed. It does not assume problems have simple solutions; rather, it provides a method to simplify complex problems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Top-down programming design is a method used to approach complex software development. With this method, the larger problem is recursively broken down into more manageable subproblems. Each of these subproblems can be addressed individually, eventually contributing to the overall solution. This approach allows for a hierarchical design where multiple modules can be deveveloped simultaneously. Let's examine the characteristics of this approach:
It breaks a task into simpler steps. This is foundational to top-down design and allows for better management of complex problems.
It is made of one or more modules. This modular nature of top-down design helps in organizing code into functional units that can be developed and tested independently.
It is simple to modify if steps change. Due to its modular structure, making changes to one part of the program usually doesn't affect other parts, making it easier to apply modifications.
As for the other statements:
It assumes the problem has a simple solution. This is incorrect; top-down design does not assume simplicity of solution but rather aims to simplify complex problems by dividing them into simpler components.
It is good for running simple calculations. This characteristic is not specific to top-down design; it can facilitate complex calculations as well due to its structured decomposition approach.