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Northern IrelandSoftware Systems Development

AS 1 Introduction to Object Oriented Development

7 dot points across 7 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

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.
A CCEA A-Level Software Systems Development answer on one- and two-dimensional arrays: declaration, zero-based indexing, traversing with loops, and using parallel arrays to store related collections of 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.
A CCEA A-Level Software Systems Development answer on the three control structures: sequence, selection with if and case statements, and iteration with definite and indefinite loops, plus how to trace program flow.
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).
A CCEA A-Level Software Systems Development answer on primitive data types, declaring variables and constants, arithmetic, relational and logical operators with precedence, and type conversion or 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.
A CCEA A-Level Software Systems Development answer on the four pillars of object orientation: encapsulation and access modifiers, inheritance and class hierarchies, polymorphism through overriding, and abstraction, and the benefits each brings.
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.
A CCEA A-Level Software Systems Development answer on methods and parameters: passing arguments, returning values, local and global scope, and common string-handling operations such as length, substring and concatenation.
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.
A CCEA A-Level Software Systems Development answer on the core object oriented concepts: what a class and an object are, attributes and methods, instantiation, and how the 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).
A CCEA A-Level Software Systems Development answer on validation techniques, choosing normal, boundary and erroneous test data, building a test plan, and distinguishing syntax, run-time and logic errors.
12 min answer →