A Level Computer Science 9608 - Syllabus - 2016
A Level Computer Science 9608 - Syllabus - 2016
A Level Computer Science 9608 - Syllabus - 2016
9608
For examination in June and November 2016
Cambridge Advanced
Cambridge International Examinations retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered Centres are
permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal use. However, we cannot give permission
to Centres to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within a
Centre.
Cambridge International Examinations 2014
Contents
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................... 2
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
2. Teacher support.............................................................................................................. 6
2.1 Support materials
2.2 Resource lists
2.3 Training
Theory Fundamentals
Fundamental Problem-solving and Programming Skills
Advanced Theory
Further problem-solving and programming skills
Introduction
1.
Introduction
Excellence in education
Our mission is to deliver world-class international education through the provision of high-quality curricula,
assessment and services.
More than 9000 schools are part of our Cambridge learning community. We support teachers in over 160
countries who offer their learners an international education based on our curricula and leading to our
qualifications. Every year, thousands of learners use Cambridge qualifications to gain places at universities
around the world.
Our syllabuses are reviewed and updated regularly so that they reflect the latest thinking of international
experts and practitioners and take account of the different national contexts in which they are taught.
Cambridge programmes and qualifications are designed to support learners in becoming:
confident in working with information and ideas their own and those of others
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Introduction
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Introduction
Learners studying Cambridge International AS and A Levels have the opportunities to:
present reasoned explanations, understand implications and communicate them clearly and logically
to provide the necessary skills and knowledge to seek employment in areas that use computer science
to develop their knowledge and understanding of computer science through entry to higher education,
where this qualification will provide a useful foundation for further study of computer science or more
specialist aspects of computer science.
Prior learning
Candidates beginning this course are not expected to have studied computer science or ICT previously.
Progression
Cambridge International A Level Computer Science provides a suitable foundation for the study of computer
science or related courses in higher education. Equally, it is suitable for candidates intending to pursue
careers or further study in computer science or ICT, or as part of a course of general education.
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Introduction
Cambridge International AS Level Computer Science constitutes the first half of the Cambridge International
ALevel course in computer science and provides a suitable foundation for the study of computer science
at Cambridge International A Level and then for related courses in higher education. Depending on local
university entrance requirements, itmay permit or assist progression directly to university courses in
Computer Science or some other subjects. It is also suitable for candidates intending to pursue careers or
further study in computer science or ICT, or as part of a course of general education.
Languages (Group 2)
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Teacher support
2.
Teacher support
2.3 Training
We offer a range of support activities for teachers to ensure they have the relevant knowledge and skills to
deliver our qualifications. See www.cie.org.uk/events for further information.
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
3.
Section
Topics
Section 1
Theory Fundamentals
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Section 2
Fundamental
Problem-solving and
Programming
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Section 3
Advanced Theory
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Section 4
Further Problem-solving
and Programming Skills
10
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Assessment at a glance
4.
Assessment at a glance
For Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science, candidates may choose:
to take Papers 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the same examination series, leading to the full Cambridge International
A Level
to follow a staged assessment route by taking Papers 1 and 2 (for the AS Level qualification) in one
series, then Papers 3 and 4 (for the full Cambridge International A Level) in a later series
Weighting (%)
AS
50
25
50
25
25
25
1 hour 30 minutes
2 hours
1 hour 30 minutes
2 hours
Advanced Subsidiary (AS) forms 50% of the assessment weighting of the full Advanced (A) Level.
1
The pre-release material will be made available to Centres the January before the June examination, and
the July before the November examination. Candidates are not permitted to bring any prepared material
into the examination.
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Assessment at a glance
Availability
This syllabus is examined in the June and November examination series.
This syllabus is available to private candidates.
Detailed timetables are available from www.cie.org.uk/examsofficers
Centres in the UK that receive government funding are advised to consult the Cambridge website
www.cie.org.uk for the latest information before beginning to teach this syllabus.
12
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
5.
to develop an understanding that every computer system is made up of subsystems, which in turn
consist of further subsystems
to develop an understanding of the component parts of computer systems and how they interrelate,
including software, data, hardware, communications and people
to acquire the skills necessary to apply this understanding to develop computer-based solutions to
problems.
Computer science is the study of the foundational principles and practices of computation and
computational thinking and their application in the design and development of computer systems.
This syllabus aims to encourage the development of computational thinking, that is thinking about what can
be computed and how by the use of abstraction and decomposition. It includes consideration of the data
required. Learning computational thinking involves learning to program, by writing computer code, because
this is the means by which computational thinking is expressed.
show understanding of the characteristics and methods of operation of component parts of computer
systems (hardware, software, communication) and their subsystems
describe, explain and use various different methods of representing data for use in computer systems
comment critically on ethical issues arising from the use of computer solutions.
AO2 Skills
select, justify and apply appropriate techniques and principles to develop data structures and algorithms
for the solutions of computational problems
design, implement, document and evaluate an effective solution using appropriate hardware, software
and programming languages.
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
13
14
AS Level
(%)
A Level
(%)
20
20
50
50
AO2 Skills
20
20
50
50
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Syllabus content
6.
Syllabus content
This syllabus is set out in the form of teaching sections. Each teaching section is assessed by its associated
paper. The AS Level syllabus consists of teaching Sections 1 and 2 only, and the A Level syllabus consists of
all four teaching sections.
The subject content for each section is shown below.
Syllabus
content
section
Paper
Section title
Theory Fundamentals
Advanced Theory
Each section is presented as a set of sub-sections, each with details of content and associated learning
outcomes.
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
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Syllabus content
Information representation
show understanding of the basis of different number systems and use the binary, denary and
hexadecimal number system
show understanding of, and be able to represent, character data in its internal binary form
depending on the character set used (Candidates will not be expected to memorise any particular
character codes but must be familiar with ASCII and Unicode.)
express a denary number in Binary Coded Decimal (BCD) and vice versa
1.1.2 Images
use the terminology associated with bitmaps: pixel, file header, image resolution, screen
resolution
perform calculations estimating the file size for bitmapped images of different resolutions
show understanding of how data for a vector graphic is represented and encoded
use the terminology associated with vector graphics: drawing object, property and drawing list
show understanding of how typical features found in bitmapped and vector graphics software are
used in practice
justify where bitmapped graphics and/or vector graphics are appropriate for a given task
1.1.3 Sound
show understanding of how file sizes depend on sampling rate and sampling resolution
show understanding of how typical features found in sound-editing software are used in practice
1.1.4 Video
16
show understanding of how digital data can be compressed, using either lossless (including runlength encoding RLE) or lossy techniques
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Syllabus content
1.2
describe what is meant by the World Wide Web (WWW) and the Internet
explain how hardware is used to support the Internet: networks, routers, gateways, servers
explain how communication systems are used to support the Internet: The Public Service
Telephone Network (PSTN), dedicated lines, cell phone network
explain the benefits and drawbacks of using copper cable, fibre-optic cabling, radio waves,
microwaves, satellites
1.2.2 IP addressing
explain the format of an IP address and how an IP address is associated with a device on a
network
explain the difference between a public IP address and a private IP address and the implication for
security
explain how a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is used to locate a resource on the World Wide
Web (WWW) and the role of the Domain Name Service
describe the sequence of events executed by the client computer and web server when a web
page consisting only of HTML tags is requested and displayed by a browser
Client-side
recognise and identify the purpose of some simple JavaScript code
describe the sequence of events executed by the client computer and web server when a
web page with embedded client-side code is requested and displayed by a browser
show understanding of the typical use of client-side code in the design of an application
Server-side
recognise and identify the purpose of some simple PHP code
describe the sequence of events executed by the client computer and web server when a
web page with embedded server-side code is requested and displayed by a browser
show understanding that an appropriately designed web application for accessing database
data makes use of server-side scripting
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
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Syllabus content
1.3
Hardware
show understanding of the basic internal operation of the following specific types of device:
keyboard
hard disk
trackerball mouse
optical mouse
optical discs
scanner
sensors
inkjet printer
actuators
laser printer
speakers
explain the differences between Static RAM (SRAM) and Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
NOT
OR
NAND
NOR
XOR
understand and define the functions of NOT, AND, OR, NAND, NOR and XOR (EOR) gates
including the binary output produced from all the possible binary inputs (all gates, except the NOT
gate, will have two inputs only)
construct the truth table for each of the logic gates above
18
AND
a problem statement
a logic expression
a logic circuit
a logic expression
show understanding that some circuits can be constructed with fewer gates to produce the same
outputs
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Syllabus content
1.4
Processor fundamentals
show understanding of the basic Von Neumann model for a computer system and the stored
program concept
show understanding of the roles carried out by registers, including the difference between
general purpose and special purpose registers: Program Counter, Memory Data Register,
Memory Address Register, Index Register, Current Instruction Register and Status Register
show understanding of the roles carried out by the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU), Control Unit
and system clock
show understanding of how data are transferred between various components of the computer
system using the address bus, data bus and control bus
show understanding of how the bus width and clock speed are factors that contribute to the
performance of the computer system
show understanding of the need for ports, for example Universal Serial Bus (USB), to provide the
connection to peripheral devices
show understanding that the set of instructions are grouped into instructions for:
arithmetic operations
compare instructions
(No particular instruction set will be expected but candidates should be familiar with the type of
instructions given in the table on page 20.)
1.4.4 Assembly language
show understanding of the relationship between assembly language and machine code, including
symbolic and absolute addressing, directives and macros
describe the different stages of the assembly process for a two-pass assembler for a given
simple assembly language program
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Syllabus content
Instruction
Op Code
Explanation
Operand
LDM
#n
LDD
<address>
LDI
<address>
LDX
<address>
LDR
#n
STO
<address>
ADD
<address>
INC
<register>
DEC
<register>
JMP
<address>
CMP
<address>
CMP
#n
JPE
<address>
JPN
<address>
IN
OUT
END
All questions will assume there is only one general purpose register available (Accumulator)
# ACC denotes Accumulator
IX denotes Index Register
# denotes immediate addressing
B denotes a binary number, e.g. B01001010
& denotes a hexadecimal number, e.g. &4A
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Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Syllabus content
1.5
System software
explain the key management tasks carried out by the operating system
show an understanding of the need for typical utility software used by a PC computer system:
disk formatter
virus checker
defragmenter software
file compression
backup software
show an understanding that software under development is often constructed using existing code
from program libraries
describe the benefits to the developer of software constructed using library files, including
Dynamic Link Library (DLL) files
show awareness that high-level language programs may be partially compiled and partially
interpreted, such as Java
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Syllabus content
1.6
explain the difference between the terms security, privacy and integrity of data
show appreciation of the need for both the security of data and the security of the computer
system
describe security measures designed to protect computer systems, ranging from the stand-alone
PC to a network of computers, including:
user accounts
firewalls
general authentication techniques, including the use of passwords and digital signatures
data backup
a disk-mirroring strategy
encryption
show awareness of what kind of errors can occur and what can be done about them
22
describe error detection and correction measures designed to protect the integrity of data,
including:
data validation
parity check
checksum check
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Syllabus content
1.7
explain how ethics may impact on the job role of the computing professional
show understanding of the eight principles listed in the ACM/IEEE Software Engineering Code of
Ethics
demonstrate the relevance of these principles to some typical software developer workplace
scenarios
show understanding of the need for a professional code of conduct for a computer system
developer
describe the need for legislation to protect ownership, usage and copyright
discuss measures to restrict access to data made available through the Internet and World Wide
Web
show understanding of the implications of different types of software licensing: Free Software
Foundation, the Open Source Initiative, shareware and commercial software
1.8
show understanding of the limitations of using a file-based approach for the storage and retrieval
of data
describe the features of a relational database which address the limitations of a file-based
approach
show understanding of the features provided by a DBMS to address the issues of:
data modelling
logical schema
data integrity
data security, including backup procedures and the use of access rights to individuals/groups
of users
show understanding of how software tools found within a DBMS are used in practice:
developer interface
query processor
show awareness that high-level languages provide accessing facilities for data stored in a
database
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
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Syllabus content
show understanding of, and use, the terminology associated with a relational database model:
entity, table, tuple, attribute, primary key, candidate key, foreign key, relationship, referential
integrity, secondary key and indexing
show understanding of the normalisation process: First (1NF), Second (2NF) and Third Normal
Form (3NF)
explain why a given set of database tables are, or are not, in 3NF
make the changes to a given set of tables which are not in 3NF to produce a solution in 3NF, and
justify the changes made
1.8.3 Data Definition Language (DDL) and Data Manipulation Language (DML)
show understanding that the industry standard for both DDL and DML is Structured Query
Language (SQL)
write a SQL script for querying or modifying data (DML) which are stored in (at most two)
database tables
Data maintenance:
24
Queries:
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Syllabus content
use suitable identifier names for the representation of data used by a problem
show understanding that many algorithms are expressed using the four basic constructs of
assignment, sequence, selection and repetition
show understanding that simple algorithms consist of input, process, output at various stages
structured English
pseudocode (on the examination paper, any given pseudocode will be presented using the
Courier New font)
program flowchart
use the process of stepwise refinement to express an algorithm to a level of detail from which
the task may be programmed
decompose a problem into sub-tasks leading to the concept of a program module (procedure/
function)
show an appreciation of why logic statements are used to define parts of an algorithm solution
use a structure chart to express the parameters passed between the various modules/
procedures/functions which are part of the algorithm design
identify any error(s) in the algorithm by using the completed trace table
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Syllabus content
2.2
Data representation
use in practical programming the data types that are common to procedural high-level languages:
integer, real, char, string, Boolean, date (pseudocode will use the following data types:
INTEGER, REAL, CHAR, STRING, BOOLEAN, DATE, ARRAY, FILE)
show understanding of how character and string data are represented by software including the
ASCII and Unicode character sets
2.2.2 Arrays
use the technical terms associated with arrays including upper and lower bound
select a suitable data structure (1D or 2D array) to use for a given task
use pseudocode for 1D and 2D arrays (pseudocode will use square brackets to contain the array
subscript, for example a 1D array as A[1:n] and a 2D array as C[1:m, 1:n])
2.2.3 Files
26
// Close file
// function to test for the end of the file
write program code for simple file handling of a text file, consisting of several lines of text
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Syllabus content
2.3
Programming
write a program in a high-level language (The nature of the language should be procedural and will
be chosen by the Centre from the following: Python, Visual Basic (console mode), Pascal/Delphi
(console mode))
implement and write a program from a given design presented as either a program flowchart or
pseudocode
recognise the basic control structures in a high-level language other than the one chosen to be
studied in depth
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
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Syllabus content
2.3.3 Selection
alternatively:
CASE OF <identifier>
<value 1>: <statement>
<value 2>: <Statement>
...
OTHERWISE <statement>
ENDCASE
28
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Syllabus content
2.3.4 Iteration
alternatively:
FOR <identifier> <value1> TO <value2> STEP <value3>
<statement(s)>
ENDFOR
justify why one loop structure may be better suited to a problem than the others
use a subset of the built-in functions and library routines supported by the chosen programming
language. This should include those used for:
string/character manipulation
formatting of numbers
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
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Syllabus content
use a procedure
given pseudocode will use the following structure for procedure definitions:
PROCEDURE <identifier>
<statement(s)>
ENDPROCEDURE
use a function
use the terminology associated with procedures and functions: procedure/function header,
procedure/function interface, parameter, argument, return value
given pseudocode will use the following structure for function definitions:
FUNCTION <identifier> RETURNS <data type> // function has no
parameters
<statement(s)>
ENDFUNCTION
FUNCTION <identifier> (<identifier>: <data type>)
RETURNS <data type> // function has one or more parameters
<statement(s)>
ENDFUNCTION
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x SQRT(n)
write programs containing several components and showing good use of resources
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Syllabus content
2.4
Software development
show understanding of the design, coding and testing stages in the program development cycle
show understanding of how to write, translate, test and run a high-level language program
show understanding of ways of exposing faults in programs and ways of avoiding faults
syntax errors
logic errors
run-time errors
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
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Syllabus content
Data representation
define and use composite data types: set, record and class/object
choose and design an appropriate user-defined data type for a given problem
show understanding of methods of file organisation: serial, sequential (using a key field) and
random (using a record key)
show understanding of methods of file access:
select an appropriate method of file organisation and file access for a given problem
32
convert binary floating-point real numbers into denary and vice versa
show understanding of the effects of changing the allocation of bits to mantissa and exponent in
a floating-point representation
show understanding that binary representations can give rise to rounding errors
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Syllabus content
3.2
show understanding of how protocol implementation can be viewed as a stack, where each layer
has its own functionality
show understanding of the function of each layer of the TCP/IP protocol suite
show understanding of the application of the TCP/IP protocol suite when a message is sent from
one host to another on the Internet
show understanding of how the BitTorrent protocol provides peer-to-peer file sharing
show an awareness of other protocols (HTTP, FTP, POP3, SMTP) and their purposes
explain how packet switching is used to pass messages across a network, including the Internet
show understanding of a bus topology network and the implications of how packets are
transmitted between two hosts
show understanding of a star topology network and the implications of how packets are
transmitted between two hosts
explain how hardware is used to support a LAN: switch, router, servers, Network Interface Cards
(NICs), wireless access points
show understanding of Ethernet and how collision detection and avoidance (such as CSMA/CD)
works
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
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Syllabus content
3.3
Hardware
produce truth tables for common logic circuits including half adders and full adders
3.3.4 Flip-flops
34
show awareness of the four basic computer architectures: SISD, SIMD, MISD, MIMD
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Syllabus content
3.4
System software
describe the ways in which the user interface hides the complexities of the hardware from the
user
how the kernel of the OS acts as the interrupt handler and how interrupt handling is used to
manage low-level scheduling
show understanding of how an interpreter can execute programs without producing a translated
version
show understanding of the various stages in the compilation of a program: lexical analysis, syntax
analysis, code generation and optimisation
show understanding of how the grammar of a language can be expressed using syntax diagrams
or Backus-Naur Form (BNF) notation
show understanding of how Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) can be used to carry out the
evaluation of expressions
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Syllabus content
3.5
Security
show understanding of the terms: public key, private key, plain text, cipher text, encryption and
asymmetric key cryptography
show understanding of how the keys can be used to send a private message from the public to
an individual/organisation
show understanding of how the keys can be used to send a verified message to the public
show awareness of the purpose of Secure Socket Layer (SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS)
3.5.4 Malware
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Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Syllabus content
3.6
show understanding of the difference between a monitoring system and a control system
show understanding of the hardware (sensors, actuators) that are required to build these systems
carry out bit manipulation operations: test a bit and set a bit (using bit masking) using the
instructions from Section 1.4.3 and those listed below
show understanding of how to make use of appropriate bit manipulation in monitoring systems
and control systems
Instruction
Op Code
Explanation
Operand
AND
#n
AND
<address>
XOR
#n
XOR
<address>
OR
#n
OR
<address>
label>:
<op code>
<operand>
labels an instruction
<label>:
<data>
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
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Syllabus content
show understanding of how to model a complex system by only including essential details, using:
functions and procedures with suitable parameters (as in imperative programming, see
Section 2.3)
4.1.2 Algorithms
show understanding of the conditions necessary for the use of a binary search
show understanding of how the performance of a binary search varies according to the number of
data items
show understanding that performance of a sort routine may depend on the initial order of the data
and the number of data items
write algorithms to find an item in each of the following: linked list, binary tree, hash table
write algorithms to insert an item into each of the following: stack, queue, linked list, binary tree,
hash table
write algorithms to delete an item from each of the following: stack, queue, linked list
show understanding that different algorithms which perform the same task can be compared by
using criteria such as time taken to complete the task and memory used
show understanding that an ADT is a collection of data and a set of operations on those data
show understanding that data structures not available as built-in types in a particular programming
language need to be constructed from those data structures which are built-in within the language
TYPE <identifier1>
DECLARE <identifier2> : <data type>
DECLARE <identifier3> : <data type>
ENDTYPE
38
describe the following ADTs and demonstrate how they can be implemented from appropriate
built-in types or other ADTs: stack, queue, linked list, dictionary, binary tree
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Syllabus content
4.1.4 Recursion
4.2
construct a decision table for a given problem with a maximum of three conditions
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
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Syllabus content
4.3
Further programming
Candidates should already have practical experience of the content in Section 2.3 Programming. Candidates
should be able to:
4.3.1 Programming paradigms
low-level programming
imperative programming
demonstrate an ability to write low-level code that uses various address modes:
immediate, direct, indirect, indexed and relative (see Section 1.4.3 and Section 3.6.2)
see details in Section 2.3
demonstrate an ability to write code that demonstrates the use of classes, inheritance,
polymorphism and containment (aggregation)
declarative programming
demonstrate an ability to solve a problem by writing appropriate facts and rules based on
supplied information
demonstrate an ability to write code that can satisfy a goal using facts and rules
write code to perform file-processing operations: open or close a file; read or write a record to a
file
write code to perform file-processing operations on serial, sequential and random files
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describe facilities available in debuggers and how and when they should be deployed
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Syllabus content
4.4
Software development
show understanding of the possible role of program generators and program libraries in the
development process
4.4.2 Testing
show understanding of the methods of testing available: dry run, walkthrough, white-box,
black-box, integration, alpha, beta, acceptance
show understanding of the need for a test strategy and test plan and their likely contents
choose appropriate test data (normal, abnormal and extreme/boundary) for a test plan
show understanding of project planning techniques including the use of GANTT and Program
Evaluation Review Technique (PERT) charts
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
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Description of components
7.
Description of components
42
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
8.
Introduction
The purpose of these notes is to provide assistance for teachers preparing candidates for the Cambridge AS
and A Level Computer Science examination. They contain notes on equipment, facilities and resources and
sources of further information.
Hardware
Candidates need to have access to a system with direct-access file capability on backing store and hardcopy
facilities.
Software
Candidates should have experience of using a high-level programming language (Pascal/Delphi, Visual Basic
or Python), chosen by the Centre.
Books
Provision of textbooks is difficult as new titles are available all the time. The British Computer Society (BCS)
book list for schools and colleges lists books which are suitable for use as reference books. Teachers will
need to consult several books to cover the whole syllabus adequately. There is a suggested book list on our
website. Many schools prefer to have a wide range of reference books rather than a class textbook.
Practical skills
Computing is a practical subject and a range of practical exercises should supplement the study of most
parts of the syllabus.
It is important that Centres encourage candidates, as early as possible in the course, to develop a
systematic approach to practical problem-solving using appropriate resources.
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Other information
9.
Other information
Language
This syllabus and the associated assessment materials are available in English only.
the components taken for the Cambridge International A Level by the candidate in that series included
all the components making up a Cambridge International AS Level
the candidates performance on these components was sufficient to merit the award of a Cambridge
International AS Level grade.
For languages other than English, Cambridge also reports separate speaking endorsement grades
(Distinction, Merit and Pass), for candidates who satisfy the conditions stated in the syllabus.
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Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
Other information
Entry codes
To maintain the security of our examinations, we produce question papers for different areas of the world,
known as administrative zones. Where the component entry code has two digits, the first digit is the
component number given in the syllabus. The second digit is the location code, specific to an administrative
zone. Information about entry codes for your administrative zone can be found in the Cambridge Guide to
Making Entries.
Cambridge International AS and A Level Computer Science 9608. Syllabus for examination in 2016.
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