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Route B: Programming (Units 4 and 5)

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What is an algorithm, and how are solutions designed using flowcharts, pseudocode and structure diagrams?

Explain what an algorithm is, describe how a solution is designed and represented using flowcharts, pseudocode and structure diagrams, and explain the role of interface design and decomposition.
A CCEA GCSE Digital Technology answer on algorithms and design for the Programming route (Unit 4), covering what an algorithm is, designing and representing a solution with flowcharts, pseudocode and structure diagrams, decomposition, and interface design.
10 min answer →

How do programs store data using variables and constants, and why does each store have a data type?

Explain how programs store data in variables and constants, describe the common data types (integer, real, Boolean, character and string), and explain why the correct data type is chosen.
A CCEA GCSE Digital Technology answer on data, variables and data types for the Programming route (Unit 4), covering variables and constants, the common data types of integer, real, Boolean, character and string, and why the correct data type is chosen.
10 min answer →

What are the three basic programming constructs of sequence, selection and iteration, and how does each control the flow of a program?

Describe the three basic programming constructs, sequence, selection and iteration, explain how each controls the flow of a program, and identify when each is used.
A CCEA GCSE Digital Technology answer on programming constructs for the Programming route (Unit 4), covering the three basic constructs of sequence, selection and iteration, how each controls the flow of a program, and when each is used.
10 min answer →

How does the Unit 5 Digital Development Practice controlled assessment work, and how is the development cycle applied to build a program?

Outline the Unit 5 Digital Development Practice controlled assessment for the Programming route, including the CCEA-set task, the analyse, design, develop, test and evaluate stages, and how the work is assessed.
A CCEA GCSE Digital Technology overview of the Unit 5 Digital Development Practice controlled assessment for the Programming route, covering the CCEA-set task, the analyse, design, develop, test and evaluate stages, and how the practical programming work is assessed.
9 min answer →

What are the stages of the system development life cycle, and why is software developed as a repeating cycle?

Describe the stages of the system development life cycle, analysis, design, development, testing, installation and review, explain what happens at each, and explain why development is iterative.
A CCEA GCSE Digital Technology answer on the system development life cycle for the Programming route (Unit 4), covering the stages of analysis, design, development, testing, installation and review, what happens at each stage, and why development is an iterative cycle.
10 min answer →

How are programs tested with test data, what types of error occur, and how is a program evaluated against its requirements?

Explain how programs are tested using a test plan and normal, boundary and erroneous test data, describe syntax, logic and runtime errors, and explain how a program is evaluated against its requirements.
A CCEA GCSE Digital Technology answer on testing and evaluating programs for the Programming route (Unit 4), covering test plans and normal, boundary and erroneous test data, the types of error (syntax, logic and runtime), and evaluating a program against its requirements.
10 min answer →