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4.1 Fundamentals of programming

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do programs perform arithmetic, comparison and logical operations on data?

Use arithmetic operations including integer division, modulus and exponentiation, relational operators, and the Boolean operators AND, OR and NOT, and understand operator precedence.
A focused answer to AQA A-Level Computer Science 4.1.3, covering arithmetic operators including integer division and modulus, relational operators, the Boolean operators AND, OR and NOT, and operator precedence.
8 min answer →

What are the built-in data types and how is data stored in memory?

Understand the built-in data types: integer, real or float, Boolean, character and string, and understand records, arrays and user-defined data types built from them.
A focused answer to AQA A-Level Computer Science 4.1.1, covering the built-in data types (integer, real, Boolean, character, string), how each is stored, and how records, arrays and user-defined types are built from them.
8 min answer →

What are the core ideas of object-oriented programming?

Understand classes and objects, attributes and methods, instantiation, encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism, and the principle of object-oriented design.
A focused answer to AQA A-Level Computer Science 4.1.5, covering classes and objects, attributes and methods, instantiation, encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism, and the benefits of object-oriented design.
9 min answer →

What are the core programming constructs every imperative program is built from?

Understand and use the three basic programming constructs (sequence, selection and iteration), definite and indefinite iteration, nested constructs, and the meaning of constants and variables.
A focused answer to AQA A-Level Computer Science 4.1.2, covering the three basic constructs sequence, selection and iteration, definite and indefinite iteration, nesting, and the difference between constants and variables.
8 min answer →

How do subroutines, parameters and scope let us structure and reuse code?

Understand and use subroutines (procedures and functions), parameters, return values, local and global variables, scope, and the use of an interface and recursion.
A focused answer to AQA A-Level Computer Science 4.1.4 and 4.1.6, covering procedures and functions, parameters and return values, local and global scope, the benefits of subroutines, and recursion.
9 min answer →