CAIE IGCSE Computer Science Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts from the CAIE IGCSE Computer Science syllabus.

Program Development Life Cycle (PDLC)

The process of analyzing, designing, coding, testing, and maintaining a program.

Abstraction

Focusing on essential elements while eliminating unnecessary details and information.

Decomposition

Breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts.

Structure Diagrams

Diagrammatically represent a top-down design, breaking down a computer system into sub-systems.

Pseudocode

Verbal representation of an algorithm.

Flowcharts

Diagrammatic representation of the steps required to complete a task.

Algorithm

A process or set of steps to complete a task.

Variable

Store of data which changes during execution of the program.

Constant

Store of data that remains the same during the execution of the program.

Integer

Whole Number e.g. 2; 8; 100

Real

Decimal Number e.g. 7.00; 5.64

Char

Single Character e.g. ‘a’; ‘Y’

String

Multiple Characters (Text) e.g. “ZNotes”; “COOL”

Boolean

Only 2 Values e.g. True/False; Yes/No; 0/1

Array

Similar to variable but it can store multiple values of same datatype under single name

Totalling

Keeping a total that values are added to

Counting

Keeping a count of the number of times an action is performed

Linear Search

Each item in the list is inspected sequentially until a match is found or the entire list is traversed.

Bubble Sort

Iteratively compare and swap adjacent elements in a list to sort them.

Normal Data

Test data with values in acceptable range.

Abnormal Data

Test data that would be rejected by the solution as not suitable.

Extreme Data

Largest and smallest values that normal data can take.

Boundary Data

Data used to establish where the largest and smallest values occur; one value is accepted and the other value is rejected.

Trace Table

Used to document the outcomes of every step in an algorithm.

Validation

Automated checks to ensure the reasonableness of data before accepting it.

Range Check

Verifies that a numerical value falls within specified upper and lower limits.

Length Check

Ensures that data consists of a precise number of characters.

Type Check

Verifies that the entered data corresponds to a specific data type.

Presence Check

Checks to ensure that some data has been entered and the value has not been left blank

Format Check

Checks that the characters entered conform to a pre-defined pattern.

Check Digit

The final digit included in a code; it is calculated from all the other digits.

Verification

Checking that data has been accurately copied from one source to another

Double Entry

Data is inputted twice, and the computer system compares both entries.

Screen/Visual Check

User manually reviewing the entered data displayed on the screen.

Constructs of a Program

Data use, sequence, selection, iteration, operators.

Procedure

Collection of programming statements organized under a single name, invoked to execute a specific task.

Function

Compilation of programming statements consolidated under a singular name, invoked to accomplish a particular task; returns a value.

Parameter

Variables that store the values of arguments passed to a procedure or function.

Local Variable

A local variable can only be used by the part of the program it is declared in

Global Variable

Any part of a program can use a global variable – its scope covers the whole program

One-Dimensional Array

A single list of data elements of the same type, accessed by an index.

Two-Dimensional Array

A table with rows and columns, declared with row and column index values.

Logic Gates

NOT, AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR

Database

A well-organized compilation of data that enables individuals to retrieve information according to their specific requirements.

Primary Key

A unique field that distinguishes each item within the data, with values that are never repeated within the table.

Structured Query Language (SQL)

The standard language for writing scripts to retrieve valuable information from databases.