← Northern Ireland Software Systems Development
Northern Ireland · CCEASyllabus
Software Systems Development syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the Northern Ireland Software Systems Developmentsyllabus, with a focused answer for each one. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions, and links to related dot points. Written by Claude Opus 4.8, Anthropic's latest AI.
A2 1 Systems Approaches and Database Concepts
Module overview →- Which development methodologies are used to build systems, and how are feasibility and fact-finding carried out?Development methodologies (waterfall, prototyping, rapid application development and agile), the feasibility study, and fact-finding techniques.13 min answer →
- How are entity relationship diagrams drawn, and how does normalisation to third normal form remove data anomalies?Entity relationship modelling (entities, attributes, relationships and cardinality) and normalisation to first, second and third normal form.14 min answer →
- What is a relational database, and how do tables, keys and relationships keep data consistent?Relational database concepts - tables, records and fields, primary and foreign keys, relationships, referential integrity, and the advantages over flat files.13 min answer →
- How is SQL used to define a database and to query and update the data it holds?Structured Query Language - data definition (CREATE TABLE) and data manipulation (SELECT with WHERE, ORDER BY, joins and aggregate functions, plus INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE).14 min answer →
- How are data flow diagrams and UML diagrams used to model a system's processes, data and objects?System modelling with data flow diagrams and UML diagrams (use case, class and activity), and the role of the data dictionary.13 min answer →
- What are the stages of the systems development lifecycle, and why is a structured approach to building systems used?The stages of the systems development lifecycle - analysis, design, implementation, testing, installation and maintenance - and the purpose of a structured approach.12 min answer →
A2 2 Implementing Solutions
Module overview →AS 1 Introduction to Object Oriented Development
Module overview →- How are one- and two-dimensional arrays declared, indexed and traversed to store collections of related data?One-dimensional and two-dimensional arrays - declaration, indexing, traversal with loops, and using parallel arrays to hold related data.12 min answer →
- How do sequence, selection and iteration control the flow of an object oriented program?The three control structures - sequence, selection (if and case) and iteration (definite and indefinite loops) - and tracing the flow of execution.12 min answer →
- What data types, variables, constants and operators does an object oriented program use, and when is type conversion needed?Primitive data types, variables and constants, arithmetic, relational and logical operators, operator precedence, and type conversion (casting).12 min answer →
- How do encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism and abstraction make object oriented code safer and more reusable?The four pillars of object orientation - encapsulation with access modifiers, inheritance and class hierarchies, polymorphism through method overriding, and abstraction.13 min answer →
- How do methods with parameters and return values structure a program, and how are strings manipulated?Methods, parameters and arguments, return values, variable scope, and common string-handling operations.12 min answer →
- What are classes, objects, attributes and methods, and how does an object oriented program model a real problem?Classes and objects, attributes and methods, instantiation, and how the object oriented paradigm models real-world entities.12 min answer →
- How is input validated, and how is a program tested with well-chosen test data to find errors?Validation techniques, test data categories (normal, boundary and erroneous), test plans, and the types of program error (syntax, run-time and logic).12 min answer →
AS 2 Event Driven Programming
Module overview →- How are arrays, lists and records used to hold an application's data, and how are linear and binary search and a simple sort carried out?Storing application data in arrays, lists and records, and the standard algorithms - linear search, binary search and a simple sort such as bubble sort.13 min answer →
- What is event driven programming, and how do events, event handlers and the event loop drive an application?The event driven paradigm - events, event handlers, the event loop, event-driven versus procedural programming, and the roles of the operating system and the program.12 min answer →
- How does an application read from and write to text files so that data persists between runs?Reading from and writing to text and sequential files - opening, reading, writing, appending and closing files, processing records, and handling file errors.12 min answer →
- How are forms and GUI controls used to build a usable interface, and what HCI principles guide good design?Forms and common GUI controls, their properties, events and methods, wiring controls to handlers, and the human-computer interaction principles of good interface design.12 min answer →
- How is an event driven application tested and debugged, and how does exception handling stop run-time errors from crashing it?Testing strategies for applications, debugging tools (breakpoints, stepping, watches), exception handling with try and catch, and producing robust software.12 min answer →