Unit 01 - Principles of Computer Science

Question 1

What is Encryption?

Answer 1

Encryption is the process of encoding a message so that it can be read only by the sender and the intended recipient.

Question 2

What is a do until loop in Pseudocode?

Answer 2

do
code
until
condition

Question 3

What does the word NOT in Pseudocode do?

Answer 3

reverses the outcome of the expression

Question 4

What is the Byte Scale?

Answer 4

bit, nibble, byte, kilobyte, mega, giga, tera, peta, exa, zetta, yotta

Multiple by 1024 to move up

Question 5

What is the method of capturing data (Manual)?

Answer 5

Paper data capture form (read by OCR & OMR or typed in manually)

Question 6

What is the purpose of operating systems when managing external devices?

Answer 6

Using device drivers to translate operating system instructions into those understood by specific models of hardware device

Question 7

How are character sets used to represent text?

Answer 7

When character in the set has a corresponding binary value which is a set number of bits. These are stored in a sequence that represents a word etc.

Question 8

What is a clock used for?

Answer 8

To synchronise the change of state of flip flop circuits.

Question 9

What is the definition of a variable?

Answer 9

It is the named locations that store data in which the contents can be changed during program execution.

Question 10

What is a local variable?

Answer 10

It is declared inside a function. They can only be accessed and used in that function.

Question 11

Decomposition

Answer 11

Identifying and describing problems and processes.
Breaking down problems and processes into distinct steps.
Describing problems and processes as a set of structured steps.
Communicating the key features of problems and processes to others.

Question 12

Pattern recognition

Answer 12

Identifying common elements or features in problems or systems.
Identifying and interpreting common differences between processes or problems.
Identifying individual elements within problems.
Describing patterns that have been identified.
Making predictions based on identified patterns.

Question 13

Pattern generalisation and abstraction

Answer 13

Identifying information that is necessary to solve an identified problem.
Filtering out information that is not needed to solve an identified problem.
Representing parts of a problem or system in general terms by identifying:
variables
constants
key processes
repeated processes
inputs
outputs.

Question 14

Algorithm design

Answer 14

Describing a step-by-step strategy to solve a problem.

Question 15

Pattern Generalisation

Answer 15

B, A, A

Question 16

Algorithms

Answer 16

C, J, C

M, N

Question 17

Pattern Recognition

Answer 17

K, H

Question 18

Decomposition

Answer 18

A, G

Question 19

Structured English (pseudocode)

Answer 19

Produce, apply and interpret pseudocode statements to describe computing tasks or processes and
solve problems.

Question 20

Interpreting pseudocode

Answer 20

Apply processes to calculate outcomes
evaluate the structure and logic of given code against given requirements
suggest improvements to logical structures and processes.

Question 21

Developing pseudocode

Answer 21

Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of code

identify and fix errors within code.

Question 22

Producing pseudocode – learners must be familiar with the listed terms and their application. Unfamiliar pseudocode will be given with definitions for application in the examination context:

Answer 22

Sequence

Structure:
Hierarchy
Indentation

Operations:
BEGIN
END
INPUT
OUTPUT
PRINT
READ
WRITE

Decisions:
IF
THEN
ELSE
ELSEIF (ELIF)
WHEN

Repetition:
FOR
REPEAT UNTIL
WHILE
WHILE NOT.

Question 23

Programming paradigms

Answer 23

Use of standard structures and conventions to build and develop accurate, efficient and effective computer code to fulfil identified criteria and solve problems.

Question 24

Handling data within a program

Answer 24

Selecting, applying, using and interpreting common data-handling techniques and structures
provided within programming languages to process data.

Defining and declaring constants and variables:
alphanumeric strings
Arrays
Boolean
Characters
date/time
floating point (real)
Integers
Objects
Records
Sets
Strings.

Managing variables:
local and global variables
naming conventions.