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2.2 Programming fundamentals

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

What are the arithmetic, comparison and Boolean operators, and what do MOD and DIV do?

The common operators: arithmetic (add, subtract, multiply, divide, exponent, MOD and DIV), comparison operators, and Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), and how they are used in expressions.
An OCR J277 2.2.2 answer on the common operators: arithmetic (including exponent, MOD and DIV), comparison operators, and the Boolean operators AND, OR and NOT, with worked examples of integer division and modulus.
10 min answer →

How do you store and work with lists and tables of data, and query records with SQL?

Using one-dimensional and two-dimensional arrays, the use of records to store structured data, and basic SQL (SELECT, FROM, WHERE) to search records in a database.
An OCR J277 2.2.3 answer on storing structured data: one-dimensional and two-dimensional arrays, records, and using basic SQL (SELECT, FROM, WHERE) to search records in a database table.
11 min answer →

What are the three programming constructs, and how do you use selection and the two kinds of iteration?

The three basic programming constructs: sequence, selection (if and switch/case) and iteration (count-controlled for loops and condition-controlled while and do until loops), and when to use each.
An OCR J277 2.2.2 answer on the three programming constructs: sequence, selection (if and switch/case) and iteration (count-controlled for loops and condition-controlled while and do until loops), with the OCR Exam Reference Language for each.
11 min answer →

How do you manipulate strings and read from and write to text files?

String manipulation (length, position, substring, concatenation and changing case, and converting between characters and character codes) and basic file handling (opening, reading, writing and closing text files).
An OCR J277 2.2.3 answer on string manipulation (length, substring, concatenation, case change, character codes with ASC and CHR) and basic file handling (opening, reading, writing and closing text files) in the OCR Exam Reference Language.
11 min answer →

What are procedures and functions, how do parameters and return values work, and why use subprograms?

The use of subprograms (procedures and functions), passing parameters into a subprogram, returning values from a function, local versus global variable scope, and generating random numbers.
An OCR J277 2.2.3 answer on subprograms: procedures and functions, passing parameters, returning values, the difference between local and global variables, the benefits of subprograms, and generating random numbers.
11 min answer →

What are variables, constants and data types, and how do you choose and convert between them?

The use of variables and constants, the common data types (integer, real, Boolean, character and string), choosing an appropriate data type, and casting (converting) between data types.
An OCR J277 2.2.1 answer on variables and constants, the common data types (integer, real, Boolean, character, string), choosing an appropriate data type for data, and casting between data types.
10 min answer →