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EnglandComputer Science

3.2 Programming

8 dot points across 8 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does a program do calculations and make logical decisions?

Use arithmetic operators including integer division and modulus, comparison operators, and the Boolean operators AND, OR and NOT, applying correct operator precedence.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Computer Science 3.2.3 and 3.2.4, covering arithmetic operators including integer division and modulus, comparison operators, and the Boolean operators AND, OR and NOT with operator precedence.
8 min answer →

How do we store and work with collections of related data?

Use one-dimensional and two-dimensional arrays and records to store collections of data, and access elements using indexes and field names.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Computer Science 3.2.6, covering one-dimensional and two-dimensional arrays and records, and accessing elements using indexes and field names.
8 min answer →

How does a program store and label the data it works with?

Use the common data types, declare and assign variables and constants, and understand the difference between a variable and a constant.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Computer Science 3.2.1, covering the common data types, declaring and assigning variables and constants, and the difference between a variable and a constant.
7 min answer →

How does a program read from and write to a file?

Read from and write to a text file, including opening, reading line by line, writing and closing a file, so that data persists after the program ends.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Computer Science 3.2.10, covering reading from and writing to a text file, including opening, reading line by line, writing and closing a file so data persists.
7 min answer →

How do we control the order in which a program's instructions run?

Use the three programming constructs of sequence, selection and iteration, including definite and indefinite iteration, and nest them.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Computer Science 3.2.2, covering the three programming constructs of sequence, selection and iteration, the difference between definite and indefinite iteration, and nesting.
8 min answer →

How does a program manipulate text?

Use common string-handling operations including length, position, substring, concatenation, and converting between case and between strings and numbers.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Computer Science 3.2.9, covering common string-handling operations such as length, position, substring, concatenation, case conversion and converting between strings and numbers.
7 min answer →

How do we design programs that are easy to write, read and maintain?

Apply the principles of structured programming, breaking a problem into subroutines with clear interfaces, and explain the benefits of this approach.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Computer Science 3.2.11, covering the principles of structured programming, breaking a problem into subroutines with clear interfaces, and the benefits of the approach.
7 min answer →

How do we split a program into reusable named blocks?

Use subroutines (procedures and functions), pass parameters and return values, and understand the scope of local and global variables.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Computer Science 3.2.8, covering subroutines (procedures and functions), passing parameters, returning values, and the scope of local and global variables.
8 min answer →