AQA A Level Computer Science - Paper 1 (Programming Constructs) Q&A
1. Constant An item of data whose value DOESN'T change
2. Variable An item of data whose value COULD change, while being run
3. Algorithm A sequence of steps that can be followed to complete a task in a finite number of
steps, always terminates.
4. Element A single value within an array (list)
5. Selection Principle of choosing what action to take, based on certain criteria (conditions) -
IF & CASE STATEMENTS
6. Nesting Placing one set of instructions inside another set of instructions
7. Iteration Principle of repeating processes - FOR, WHILE, REPEAT UNTIL
8. Definite iteration Process that repeats a set number of times - FOR LOOP
9. Indefinite Itera- Process that repeats until a certain criteria is met - WHILE
tion
10. Sequence Principle of putting the correct instructions in the right order within a program
11. Truncating Process of cutting ott a number after a certain number of characters or d.p
12. Character Code A unique binary representation of a particular letter, number etc.
13. Subroutine A named block of code designed to carry out a specific task
14. Advantages of More readable code
subroutines Allows code to be reused
Allows overloading (changing function based on parameters passed in)
15. Procedure A subroutine which does not return a value to the main program
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1. Constant An item of data whose value DOESN'T change
2. Variable An item of data whose value COULD change, while being run
3. Algorithm A sequence of steps that can be followed to complete a task in a finite number of
steps, always terminates.
4. Element A single value within an array (list)
5. Selection Principle of choosing what action to take, based on certain criteria (conditions) -
IF & CASE STATEMENTS
6. Nesting Placing one set of instructions inside another set of instructions
7. Iteration Principle of repeating processes - FOR, WHILE, REPEAT UNTIL
8. Definite iteration Process that repeats a set number of times - FOR LOOP
9. Indefinite Itera- Process that repeats until a certain criteria is met - WHILE
tion
10. Sequence Principle of putting the correct instructions in the right order within a program
11. Truncating Process of cutting ott a number after a certain number of characters or d.p
12. Character Code A unique binary representation of a particular letter, number etc.
13. Subroutine A named block of code designed to carry out a specific task
14. Advantages of More readable code
subroutines Allows code to be reused
Allows overloading (changing function based on parameters passed in)
15. Procedure A subroutine which does not return a value to the main program
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