OCR A level (H046-H446) SLR 08 – Introduction to Programming

It includes:

• Student Learning Record (A3 version in word)
• Student Learning Record (PDF version)
• Student Learning Record (PowerPoint version)
• Set of student activities and workshops with answers
• Answers to the exam questions from the back of the SLR
• Teacher Marking Checklist

This topic covers:

H046

• 1.2.3 a-b Introduction to programming

H446

• 1.2.4 b-c Types of Programming Language

Specific knowledge required for AS and A Level:

• Candidates need to have knowledge and experience of using a procedural programming language for example Python, VB.NET etc. There is no substitute for practical experience when learning the content for this section.
• Candidates need to understand how to control the flow of a program (sequence, iteration and selection).
• Candidates need to understand the purpose and function of both variables and constants, and be able to read, trace and write code that makes use of both variables and constants.
• Candidates need to understand the benefits of using constants over variables.
• Candidates need to understand the role of sub-programs (procedures and functions) in a program, how these can be used to reduce the amount of code and improved the efficiency.
• Candidates need to understand the differences between procedures and functions, and be able to read, write and trace programs using both procedures and functions.
• Candidates need to have experience of using a range of arithmetic (+, -, /, *, MOD, DIV) operators, Boolean (AND, OR, NOT, ==, >, <, =, >=, <=, !=) operators and assignment operator (=).
• Candidates need to be able to read, trace and write programs using these operators. Code in the exam will be written using the OCR pseudocode guide, so candidates need to be able to read and interpret this pseudocode – however, their answers can be in pseudocode, or program code.
• Candidates need to have experience of using a range of string handling functions and need to be able to read, trace and write program code using and combining string handling techniques (selecting substrings, converting to upper/lowercase, converting between characters and their ASCII values. Any functions presented in a question which are not in pseudocode guide, will be specifically introduced.)
• Candidates need to have experience of writing programs that write to and read from text files. Candidates’ understanding of procedural languages will largely be tested by asking candidates to read/write/trace/amend simple programs.
• Candidates need to have an understanding of the purpose and need for assembly language. Candidates
• need to be familiar with the instructions given in Appendix 5d.
• Candidates should be able to read, write, trace and amend programs written in the Little Man Computer language.