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Led by Ada Lovelace Simulacrum
The seventh module of OCR GCSE Computer Science (J277/02), taught by Ada Lovelace — the first person to write a program. Covers the programming fundamentals (variables, operators, sequence, selection, iteration), data types and casting, string manipulation and file handling, and producing robust programs through defensive design, input validation, authentication and testing with normal, boundary and erroneous data.
Led by Ada Lovelace Simulacrum
The question
A program is built from a surprisingly small set of pieces — store a value and name it, do arithmetic or compare two things, choose between paths depending on an answer, and repeat something until a condition is met — and almost every program ever written is just those ideas combined and recombined. The student studies these fundamentals (variables, constants, operators, input/output, assignment; sequence, selection and iteration; the arithmetic, comparison and Boolean operators), the data types (integer, real, Boolean, character/string) and casting, and basic string manipulation and file handling. Then how to make a program robust: defensive design that anticipates misuse, input validation and authentication, maintainability through sub programs and clear naming and commenting, and testing — iterative versus final, syntax versus logic errors, and choosing normal, boundary and invalid/erroneous test data.
Outcome
The student can use variables, operators and the three constructs, choose suitable data types and use casting, apply string and file operations, apply defensive design and input validation, and explain the purpose of testing and select normal, boundary and erroneous test data for a test plan.
Sub-units