Programming basics
- write a program in a high-level language
- implement and write a program from a given design presented as either a program flowchart or pseudocode
- write program statements for:
- the declaration of variables and constants
- the assignment of values to variables and constants
- expressions involving any of the arithmetic or logical operators
(given pseudocode will use the following structures:
DECLARE <identifier> : <data type> // declaration
<identifier> ← <value> or <expression> // assignment)
Transferable skills
- recognise the basic control structures in a high-level language other than the one chosen to be studied in depth
- appreciate that program coding is a transferable skill
Selection
- use an ‘IF’ structure including the ‘ELSE’ clause and nested IF statements
- given pseudocode will use the following structure:
IF <condition>
THEN
<statement(s)>
ENDIF
- or, including an ‘else’ clause:
IF <condition>
THEN
<statement(s)>
ELSE
<statement(s)>
ENDIF
- use a ‘CASE’ structure
- given pseudocode will use the following structure:
CASE OF <identifier>
<value 1>: <statement>
<value 2>: <Statement>
...
ENDCASE
CASE OF <identifier>
<value 1>: <statement>
<value 2>: <Statement>
...
OTHERWISE <statement>
ENDCASE
Iteration
- use a ‘count controlled’ loop:
- given pseudocode will use the following structure:
FOR <identifier> ← <value1> TO <value2>
<statement(s)>
ENDFOR
FOR <identifier> ← <value1> TO <value2> STEP <value3>
<statement(s)>
ENDFOR
- use a ‘post-condition’ loop:
- given pseudocode will use the following structure:
REPEAT
<statement(s)>
UNTIL <condition>
- use a ‘pre-condition’ loop
- given pseudocode will use the following structure:
WHILE <condition>
<statement(s)>
ENDWHILE
- justify why one loop structure may be better suited to a problem than the others
Built-in functions
- use a subset of the built-in functions and library routines supported by the chosen programming language. This should include those used for:
- string/character manipulation
- formatting of numbers
- random number generator
- use the information provided in technical documentation describing functions/procedures
Structured programming
- explain where in the construction of an algorithm it would be appropriate to use a procedure
- given pseudocode will use the following structure for procedure definitions:
PROCEDURE <identifier>
<statement(s)>
ENDPROCEDURE
- a procedure may have none, one or more parameters
- a parameter can be passed by reference or by value
- show understanding of passing parameters by reference
PROCEDURE <identifier> (BYREF <identifier>: <datatype>)
<statement(s)>
ENDPROCEDURE
- show understanding of passing parameters by value
PROCEDURE <identifier> (BYVALUE <identifier>: <datatype>)
<statement(s)>
ENDPROCEDURE
- a call is made to the procedure using CALL <identifier> ()
- explain where in the construction of an algorithm it is appropriate to use a function
- use the terminology associated with procedures and functions: procedure/function header, procedure/function interface, parameter, argument, return value
- given pseudocode will use the following structure for function definitions:
FUNCTION <identifier> RETURNS <data type> // function has no parameters<br>
<statement(s)><br>
ENDFUNCTION<br>
FUNCTION <identifier> (<identifier>: <data type>)<br>
RETURNS <data type> // function has one or more parameters<br>
<statement(s)><br>
ENDFUNCTION<br></code>
* a function is used in an expression, for example
<code>x ← SQRT(n)<br>
WHILE NOT EOF()
- write programs containing several components and showing good use of resources
