A-level Computing/AQA/Problem Solving, Programming, Data Representation and Practical Exercise/Fundamentals of Programming

Fundamentals of programming Features of Imperative High Level Languages Illustrate these features for a particular imperative, third-generation language such as Pascal.

• A program
• Variables
• Comments
• Input and output

Data Types Use the following appropriately. Built-in Integer, byte, real, boolean, character, string, date/time. User-defined Enumerated, subrange, sets, records, arrays

• Data types
  • Built-in data types
• Constant Definitions
• Built-in functions
  • User-defined data types

Programming statements Type Definitions Variable Declarations Constant Definitions Explain the advantages of named variables and constants. Assignment Iteration Selection Procedure/Function Declarations Procedure and Function calling - Explain the advantages of procedure/functions. Procedure and Function Parameters Describe the use of parameters to pass data within programs. Understand the different mechanisms for parameter passing: by value and by reference Arithmetic operators including modulo arithmetic +, –, /, x, DIV, MOD Relational operators =, <, >, <>, <=, >= Boolean operators NOT, AND, OR Logical bitwise operators NOT, AND, OR, XOR Set operators Union, difference, intersection, membership Built-in functions Arithmetic functions: round, truncation. String handling functions: length, position, substring, concatenation. String conversion functions to/from integer, real, date/time.

• Selection
• Iteration
• Functions and Procedures
• Operators
  • Arithmetic operators
  • Modulo arithmetic
  • Relational operators
  • Boolean operators
  • Logical bitwise operators
  • Set operators

The Role of Variables Recognise the different roles a variable can take: fixed value, stepper, most recent holder, most wanted holder, gatherer, transformation, follower, temporary.

• Global and Local Variables
• The Role of Variables

Fundamentals of Structured Programming Understand the structured approach to program design and construction. Construct and use structure tables, structure charts and hierarchy charts when designing programs. Use meaningful identifier names. Use procedures/functions with interfaces. Use procedures that execute a single task. Explain the advantages of the structured approach.

• Fundamentals of Structured Programming

Data Structures Arrays One- and Two-Dimensional Arrays - Use arrays in the design of solutions to simple problems. Fields, Records and Files Read/write from/to a text file (including csv file) Read/write records from/to a file of records

• Data Structures
  • One-Dimensional Arrays
  • Two-Dimensional Arrays
  • Fields, Records and Files

Validation Understand the importance of validation of input data. Program simple validation

• Validation
• Debugging

Variables

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