Computer Science Paper 2 OCR

Computational Thinking

Computational Thinking

Understanding and developing solutions for complex problems

Decomposition

Breaking down a complex problem into smaller, manageable parts

Abstraction

Filtering out unnecessary details to focus on essential characteristics

Algorithmic Thinking

Focuses on reaching a desired solution through identified steps

Complex Problem

Challenging issue without an immediate solution

Programming

Instructing a computer on what to do and how to do it

Planning

Process similar to computational thinking, involving strategizing before action

Decomposition in Crime Solving

Breaking down a crime into smaller problems for investigation

Abstraction in Program Design

Focusing on essential characteristics while ignoring unnecessary details

Model

General idea of a problem formed through abstraction

Area Calculation Abstraction

Focuses on general characteristics, discarding specific rectangle details

London Underground Map Abstraction

Facilitates journey planning by excluding irrelevant details

Algorithm

Step-by-step procedure for problem solving

Pseudocode

Informal high-level description of a computer program

Flow Diagram

Shows step-by-step program solution using symbols

Decomposed Problem

Problem broken down to consider inputs, outputs, order of instructions, decisions, and repetitions

Syntax

Rules governing the structure of statements in programming

Programming Languages

Languages with specific syntax for program development

Logic Errors

Errors in program functioning as expected

Syntax Errors

Errors due to code not following language rules

Trace Tables

Tables used to track variable changes for identifying logic errors

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

Software with tools for writing and debugging code

Algorithms

Step-by-step procedures for problem-solving in computing

Searches

Process of examining data to locate a specific item

Sorts

Organizing a data set into a specific order

Linear Search

Basic search technique that checks each item sequentially

Binary Search

Efficient search method that divides the list in half for faster results

Bubble Sort

Simple sorting algorithm that compares adjacent values to arrange them

Merge Sort

Sorting algorithm that divides the list into sublists for sorting

Insertion Sort

Method for inserting elements into correct position during sorting

Efficient

Achieving maximum productivity with minimal wasted effort

Ordered List

List arranged in a specific sequence

Counter

Variable used to keep track of position or iteration

Midpoint

Middle point in a list or range of values

Divide and Conquer

Technique where a problem is divided into smaller subproblems

Swapped

Indicator for whether elements have been exchanged during a sort

Temp

Temporary variable used for swapping values

Length

Determining the number of characters in a string

Pairs

Two elements considered together during sorting

Comparison

Process of evaluating two elements to determine their order

Variable

Named memory address holding a value that can change

Identifier

Name used to reference an array holding related data

Declaration

Identifying a variable before assigning a value

Assignment

Giving a value to a variable for use

Constant

Value assigned a name that cannot change during program execution

Global Variable

Accessible and changeable throughout the program

Local Variable

Confined to a loop or subprogram for specific use

Sequence

Order in which instructions are processed

Selection

Decision-making process determining program path

Iteration

Repeating steps until a condition is met

Count-Controlled Iteration

Repeatedly executing code a fixed number of times

Boolean

Represents TRUE/FALSE values

Looping

Repeating a section of code until a condition is met

Condition Variable

Variable keeping track of iterations in a loop

For Next Loop

Loop where a condition variable determines code repetition

Condition-Controlled Iteration

Repeating code until a condition is met or no longer met

While Loops

Loop testing condition at the start, executing code if condition is met

Repeat Loops

Loop testing condition at the end, always executing code at least once

Infinite Loop

Loop running forever, potentially due to a condition never being met

Nesting

Including one programming construct within another for powerful programming

Nested Selection

Increasing possible paths at a decision point by including one selection within another

Nested Iteration

Nesting iteration constructs for more complex programming

Mathematical Operators

Characters determining actions like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division

Comparison Operators

Operators for assignment and comparisons in condition testing

Logical Operators

Operators combining logical operations for complex decisions

Addition

Using the '+' symbol for summing values

Subtraction

Using the '-' symbol for finding the difference between values

Multiplication

Using the '*' symbol for calculating products

Division

Using the '/' symbol for calculating quotients

Modulus

Finding the remainder after division

Integer Division

Discarding remainders in division

Exponentiation

Using powers for calculations (^)

Use of Brackets

Ordering calculations within brackets first

Data Type

Specifies the type of data that can be stored in an array

Integer

Represents whole numbers

Float

Represents decimal numbers

Character

Represents a single alphanumeric character

String

Represents alphanumeric characters

Casting

Changing the data type of a variable

String Manipulation

Altering and extracting information from strings

Character Position

Locating a character at a specific position in a string

Upper and Lowercase

Changing string characters to uppercase or lowercase

Concatenation

Joining strings to form another string

Basic File Handling Operations

Processing and storing data in files

Record

Each item of data written to or read from a file

Opening and Closing Files

Essential steps before reading from or writing to a file

Reading from a File

Retrieving data from a file one line at a time

End of File

Indicates when all records in a file have been read

Writing to File

Saving data to a file one line at a time

Database

Persistent store of related data

Attribute

One item of data within a record

Structured Query Language (SQL)

Language for querying databases

Retrieving Data

Using commands like SELECT, FROM, and WHERE to fetch data

Boolean Operators

AND and OR used for data retrieval

SQL Query

Retrieves data from a database based on specified conditions

Array

Data structure holding related data elements of the same type

Element

Individual box in an array holding a value

Two-Dimensional Array

Array holding data in rows and columns like a table

Subprograms

Small programs within a main program to perform specific tasks

Procedures

Subprograms to execute a series of steps