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