Write pseudocode for 1D and 2D arrays

Topic 10.2 – Arrays (Cambridge AS & A‑Level Computer Science)

Show understanding of the purpose of state-transition diagrams to document an algorithm

12.2 Program Design – State‑Transition Diagrams (STDs)

Show understanding that an ADT is a collection of data and a set of operations on those data

10.4 Introduction to Abstract Data Types (ADT)

Understand how different ports provide connection to peripheral devices

4.1 Central Processing Unit (CPU) Architecture

Explain the key management tasks carried out by the Operating System

5.1 Operating Systems – Purpose and Key Management Tasks (AS 5.1)

Locate and identify the different types of errors

12.3 Program Testing and Maintenance – Locate and Identify Errors

Explain the benefits and drawbacks of using either a compiler or interpreter and justify the use of each

5.2 Language Translators

Show understanding of and be able to represent character data in its internal binary form, depending on the character set used

1.1 Data Representation – Character Data

Define and use a function

11.3 Structured Programming – Define and Use a Function

Show understanding of how data are transferred between various components of the computer system using the address bus, data bus and control bus

4.1 Central Processing Unit (CPU) – Architecture & Buses

Use pseudocode to write: a 'CASE' structure

11.2 Constructs – The CASE Structure

Show understanding of the need for input, output, primary memory and secondary (including removable) storage

3.1 Computers and Their Components

Show understanding of different number systems

1.1 Data Representation – Understanding Number Systems

Describe practical applications where Binary Coded Decimal (BCD) and Hexadecimal are used

1.1 Data Representation – Overview

Describe security methods designed to protect the security of data

6.1 Data Security

Perform binary addition and subtraction

1.1 Data Representation – Cambridge A‑Level Computer Science (9618)

Correct identified errors

Program Testing and Maintenance – Correcting Identified Errors

Construct the truth table for each of the logic gates above

3.2 Logic Gates and Logic Circuits

Show understanding of packet switching

14.2 Circuit Switching and Packet Switching

Define and use composite data types

13.1 User‑Defined Data Types

Explain the differences between Static RAM (SRAM) and Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

3.1 Computers and Their Components – RAM Types

Explain where in the construction of an algorithm it is appropriate to use a function

11.3 Structured Programming – Using Functions

Show understanding of the need to act ethically and the impact of acting ethically or unethically for a given situation

7.1 Ethics and Ownership

Show understanding of Karnaugh maps (K-map)

15.2 Boolean Algebra and Logic Circuits – Karnaugh Maps (K‑maps)

Show awareness that high-level language programs may be partially compiled and partially interpreted, such as Java (console mode)

5.2 Language Translators

Show understanding of process management

16.1 Operating System (OS) – Core Management Tasks

Show understanding of how artificial neural networks have helped with machine learning

18.1 Artificial Intelligence – Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs)

Describe features found in a typical Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

5.2 Language Translators – Overview

Show understanding of the bus, star, mesh and hybrid topologies

2.1 Networks – The Internet and LAN Topologies

Normalise floating-point numbers

13.3 Floating‑Point Numbers – Representation, Normalisation & Arithmetic

Show understanding of the features provided by a Database Management System (DBMS) that address the issues of a file-based approach

8.2 Database Management Systems (DBMS)

Show understanding of how data for a bitmapped image are encoded

Cambridge A‑Level Computer Science 9618 – 1.2 Multimedia & Core Foundations

Write pseudocode statements for: expressions involving any of the arithmetic or logical operators input from the keyboard and output to the console

11.1 Programming Basics

Show understanding of the concept of a virtual machine

15.1 Processors, Parallel Processing and Virtual Machines

Show understanding of the need for: a compiler for the translation of a high-level language program

5.2 Language Translators – Why a Compiler Is Needed

Write pseudocode from a flowchart

Topic 9.2 – Translating Flowcharts into Pseudocode (and Vice‑versa)

Implement and write pseudocode from a given design presented as either a program flowchart or structured English

11.1 Programming Basics

Perform calculations to estimate the file size for a bitmap image

1.2 Multimedia – Estimating Bitmap Image File Size (Syllabus 1.2)

Show understanding of the consequences of a binary representation only being an approximation to the real number it represents (in certain cases)

13.3 Floating‑point Numbers – Representation and Manipulation

Draw a flowchart from a structured English description

9.2 Algorithms – Translating Structured English into Flowcharts

Show understanding of how protocol implementation can be viewed as a stack, where each layer has its own functionality

Protocol Implementation as a Stack

Show understanding of lossy and lossless compression and justify the use of a method in a given situation

1.3 Compression

Show understanding of the characteristics of a number of programming paradigms: Low-level

Programming Paradigms – Cambridge International AS & A Level (9618)

Describe and use methods of data verification during data entry and data transfer

6.2 Data Integrity – Verification Methods for Data Entry and Data Transfer

Show understanding of Deep Learning, Machine Learning and Reinforcement Learning and the reasons for using these methods

1 Foundations – AS‑Level Content (Syllabus 1‑12)

Show understanding of virtual memory, paging and segmentation for memory management

Operating System – Purposes, Translation Software & Memory Management

Show understanding of how sound is represented and encoded

1.2 Multimedia – Sound Representation and Encoding

Convert binary floating-point real numbers into denary and vice versa

Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science (9618) – Floating‑Point Numbers

Show understanding of protocols (HTTP, FTP, POP3, IMAP, SMTP, BitTorrent) and their purposes

Cambridge A‑Level Computer Science (9618) – Topic 14.1 : Protocols (HTTP, FTP, POP3, IMAP, SMTP, BitTorrent)

Show understanding that a stack, queue and linked list are examples of ADTs

10.4 Introduction to Abstract Data Types (ADT)

Show understanding of the characteristics of a number of programming paradigms: Declarative

20.1 Programming Paradigms – Declarative

Show an understanding of abstraction

9.1 Computational Thinking Skills – Abstraction and Related Concepts

Explain why a given set of database tables are, or are not, in 3NF

8.1 Database Concepts – Normalisation to Third Normal Form (3NF)

Describe the format of binary floating-point real numbers

13.3 Floating‑point Numbers – Format & Bias

Use the following logic gate symbols: NOT, AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR

3.2 Logic Gates and Logic Circuits

Describe the features of a relational database that address the limitations of a file-based approach

8.1 Database Concepts

Show understanding of the threats to computer and data security posed by networks and the internet

6.1 Data Security

Trace a given simple assembly language program

4.2 Assembly Language

Show understanding of and be able to use different modes of addressing

4.2 Assembly Language – Addressing Modes (Cambridge AS & A Level 9618)

Show understanding of the need for typical utility software provided with an Operating System

Cambridge International AS & A‑Level Computer Science (9618) – Operating Systems & Utility Software

Show understanding of the purpose and role of registers, including the difference between general purpose and special purpose registers

4.1 Central Processing Unit (CPU) Architecture – Registers

Show understanding of the effects of changing elements of a bitmap image on the image quality and file size

1.2 Multimedia – Bitmap Images, Vector Graphics & Sound

Show understanding of program libraries

5.1 Operating Systems – Program Libraries

Show understanding of linear and binary searching methods

19.1 Algorithms – Searching Methods (Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science 9618)

Draw a flowchart from pseudocode

9.2 Algorithms – Drawing a Flowchart from Pseudocode

Show understanding of how software tools found within a DBMS are used in practice

8.2 Database Management Systems (DBMS)

Use built-in functions and library routines

Programming Basics – Built‑in Functions & Library Routines (Cambridge IGCSE/A‑Level 9618)

Describe and use methods of data validation

6.2 Data Integrity – Methods of Data Validation

Show understanding of the need for a test strategy and test plan and their likely contents

12.3 Program Testing and Maintenance

Show understanding of the need for continuing maintenance of a system and the differences between each type of maintenance

12.3 Program Testing and Maintenance

Explain the difference between Programmable ROM (PROM), Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM) and Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM)

3.1 Computers and Their Components

Show appreciation of the need for both the security of data and the security of the computer system

6.1 Data Security – Understanding the Need for Both Data and System Security

Describe how a queue, stack and linked list can be implemented using arrays

Implementing Stacks, Queues and Linked Lists Using Arrays

Write pseudocode to handle text files that consist of one or more lines

Topic 10.3 – Files

Show understanding of the characteristics of a LAN (local area network) and a WAN (wide area network)

2.1 Networks – The Internet

Show understanding of the different types of software licensing and justify the use of a licence for a given situation

7.1 Ethics and Ownership

Describe and use the process of stepwise refinement to express an algorithm to a level of detail from which the task may be programmed

Cambridge A‑Level Computer Science (9618) – 9.2 Algorithms & Related Syllabus Topics

Show understanding of how a text file, bitmap image, vector graphic and sound file can be compressed

1.3 Compression

Write an SQL script to query or modify data (DML) which are stored in (at most two) database tables

8.3 Data Definition Language (DDL) & Data Manipulation Language (DML)

Show understanding of the normalisation process

8.1 Database Concepts – Normalisation (Cambridge AS/A Level 9618)

Show understanding of the purpose of a record structure to hold a set of data of different data types under one identifier

10.1 Data Types and Records

Show understanding of the characteristics of a number of programming paradigms: Imperative (Procedural)

20 Programming Paradigms – Imperative (Procedural) Paradigm

Show understanding that the industry standard for both DDL and DML is Structured Query Language (SQL)

8.3 Data Definition Language (DDL) and Data Manipulation Language (DML)

Construct a truth table

Cambridge A‑Level Computer Science (9618) – 3.2 Logic Gates and Logic Circuits

Understanding what is meant by a programming paradigm

20.1 Programming Paradigms

Show understanding of the importance/use of pipelining and registers in RISC processors

15.1 Processors, Parallel Processing & Virtual Machines

Show understanding of the need for and purpose of ethics as a computing professional

7.1 Ethics and Ownership

Show understanding of and use the terminology associated with a relational database model

8.1 Database Concepts – Relational Model

Describe and use decomposition

9.1 Computational Thinking – Decomposition (and Abstraction)

Use a stack, queue and linked list to store data

10.4 Introduction to Abstract Data Types (ADT)

Describe the stages of the Fetch-Execute (F-E) cycle

1 Information Representation

Show understanding of the need for copyright legislation

7.1 Ethics and Ownership – The Need for Copyright Legislation

Show understanding of the limitations of using a file-based approach for the storage and retrieval of data

Cambridge IGCSE/A‑Level Computer Science – Core Concepts

Show understanding of and use Abstract Data Types (ADT)

19.1 Algorithms – Understanding and Using Abstract Data Types (ADT)

Describe security measures designed to protect computer systems, ranging from the stand-alone PC to a network of computers

6.1 Data Security

Explain where in the construction of an algorithm it would be appropriate to use a procedure

11.3 Structured Programming – Procedures (AS) & 20.1 Programming Paradigms (A‑Level)

Produce a normalised database design for a description of a database, a given set of data, or a given set of tables

8 Database Concepts (Cambridge AS & A Level 9618)

Show understanding of how the grammar of a language can be expressed using syntax diagrams or Backus-Naur Form (BNF) notation

16.2 Translation Software (Compilers & Interpreters)

Show understanding of the analysis, design, coding, testing and maintenance stages in the program development life cycle

Program Development Life Cycle (PDLC) – Cambridge IGCSE/A‑Level Computer Science (9618)

Show understanding of insertion sort and bubble sort methods

19.1 Algorithms

Show understanding of the need for: an interpreter for translation and execution of a high-level language program

5.2 Language Translators

Show an understanding of monitoring and control systems

Monitoring and Control Systems – A‑Level Computer Science (9618)

Document a simple algorithm using a structured English description, a flowchart or pseudocode

9.2 Algorithms – Documenting a Simple Algorithm

Show understanding of digital certification

17.1 Encryption, Encryption Protocols and Digital Certificates

Show understanding of the various stages in the compilation of a program

16.2 Translation Software

Show understanding of the need for: assembler software for the translation of an assembly language program

5.2 Language Translators – Assembler Software

Show understanding that binary representations can give rise to rounding errors

13.3 Floating‑point Numbers: Representation and Manipulation

Show understanding of why files are needed

10.3 Files – Why Files Are Needed

Show understanding of ways of exposing and avoiding faults in programs

Program Testing and Maintenance

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 (DNS)

2.1 Networks – The Internet

Show understanding of the purpose of a development life cycle

Program Development Life Cycle (PDLC) – Purpose & Benefits

Select and use appropriate data types for a problem solution

10.1 Data Types and Records

Describe the role and function of a router in a network

2.1 Networks including the Internet

Show understanding that different algorithms which perform the same task can be compared by using criteria (e.g. time taken to complete the task and memory used)

19.1 Algorithms – Comparing Different Solutions

Write pseudocode to process array data

10.2 Arrays – Writing Pseudocode to Process Array Data

Show understanding of a flip-flop (SR, JK)

15.2 Boolean Algebra and Logic Circuits – Flip‑Flops

Describe the principal operations of hardware devices

3.1 Computers and Their Components

Show understanding of the methods of testing available and select appropriate data for a given method

12.3 Program Testing and Maintenance

Use the terminology associated with procedures and functions

...

Write code to perform file-processing operations

20.2 File Processing and Exception Handling

Choose and design an appropriate user-defined data type for a given problem

13.1 User‑Defined Data Types

Show understanding that a set of instructions are grouped

4.2 Assembly Language – Grouping Instructions

Choose appropriate test data for a test plan

12.3 Program Testing and Maintenance

Describe the hardware that is used to support a LAN

2.1 Networks – The Internet

Describe methods that can be used to restrict the risks posed by threats

6.1 Data Security

Explain the client-server and peer-to-peer models of networked computers

2.1 Networks – The Internet

Show understanding that the DBMS carries out all queries and maintenance of data using its DML

8.3 Data Definition Language (DDL) and Data Manipulation Language (DML)

Justify why one loop structure may be better suited to solve a problem than the others

Cambridge A‑Level Computer Science (9618) – Topic 11.2 Constructs: Loop Structures

Use an entity-relationship (E-R) diagram to document a database design

Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science (9618) – 8.1 Database Concepts: Using an Entity‑Relationship (E‑R) Diagram to Document a Database Design

Show understanding of Reduced Instruction Set Computers (RISC) and Complex Instruction Set Computers (CISC) processors

15 Processor Fundamentals, Parallel Processing & Virtual Machines

Show understanding of bit streaming

2.1 Networks – Bit Streaming

Describe the different stages of the assembly process for a two-pass assembler

4.2 Assembly Language

Show understanding of the TCP/IP protocol suite

14.1 Protocols – Understanding the TCP/IP Protocol Suite

Show understanding of the four basic computer architectures

15.1 Processors, Parallel Processing and Virtual Machines

Show understanding of the differences between the World Wide Web (WWW) and the internet

2.1 Networks – The Internet, the World Wide Web and Core Networking Concepts

Use the technical terms associated with arrays

10.2 Arrays – Technical Terminology (Cambridge AS & A‑Level 9618)

Show how it is possible for ADTs to be implemented from another ADT

19.1 Algorithms – Implementing an ADT from Another ADT

pseudocode using the three basic constructs of sequence, decision, and iteration

9.2 Algorithms – Pseudocode and the Three Fundamental Constructs

Show understanding of binary magnitudes and the difference between binary prefixes and decimal prefixes

1. Data Representation – Overview (AS 1.1)

Use parameters

Cambridge A‑Level Computer Science (9618) – Complete Revision Notes

Show awareness of what a compiler has to do to translate recursive programming code

19.2 Recursion – How a Compiler Translates Recursive Code

Show understanding of why a protocol is essential for communication between computers

14.1 Protocols – Why They Are Essential for Computer Communication

Show understanding of how factors contribute to the performance of the computer system

4.1 Central Processing Unit (CPU) Architecture

Show understanding of an exception and the importance of exception handling

Exception Handling and Core Computer‑Science Concepts (Cambridge AS/A‑Level 9618)

Show understanding that the DBMS carries out all creation/modification of the database structure using its Data Definition Language (DDL)

8.3 Data Definition Language (DDL) and Data Manipulation Language (DML)

Write pseudocode statements for: the declaration of variables

11.1 Programming Basics – Declaring Variables

Show understanding of the need for different development life cycles depending on the program being developed

Program Development Life‑Cycle (12.1)

Show understanding of how Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) can be used to carry out the evaluation of expressions

16.2 Translation Software – Reverse Polish Notation (RPN)

Show understanding of why user-defined types are necessary

Cambridge A‑Level Computer Science (9618) – Complete Revision Notes

Justify the use of a bitmap image or a vector graphic for a given task

1.2 Multimedia – Bitmap vs Vector Graphics

Describe how data validation and data verification help protect the integrity of data

6.2 Data Integrity

Select a suitable data structure (1D or 2D array) to use for a given task

Topic 10.2 – Arrays

Produce truth tables for logic circuits including half adders and full adders

15.2 Boolean Algebra and Logic Circuits

Show understanding of Boolean algebra

15.2 Boolean Algebra and Logic Circuits

Show understanding of the differences between and implications of the use of wireless and wired networks

2.1 Networks – The Internet

Describe the hardware that is used to support the internet

2.1 Networks – The Internet (Cambridge AS/A‑Level Computer Science)

Use pseudocode to write: a 'post-condition' loop

Topic 11.2 – Constructs: Post‑condition Loop (REPEAT … UNTIL)

Construct a logic circuit

3.2 Logic Gates and Logic Circuits (AO1‑AO3)

Use pseudocode to write: a 'pre-condition' loop

Topic 11.2 – Constructs: Pre‑condition Loops

Show understanding of cloud computing

1 Information Representation

Explain the difference between the terms security, privacy and integrity of data

6.1 Data Protection – Security, Privacy and Integrity

Describe the ways in which the user interface hides the complexities of the hardware from the user

Operating Systems & the Wider Computer Science Syllabus (Cambridge IGCSE / A‑Level)

Write efficient pseudocode

11.3 Structured Programming

Understand and define the functions of: NOT, AND, OR, NAND, NOR and XOR (EOR) gates

3.2 Logic Gates and Logic Circuits

Explain why a computer system requires an Operating System (OS)

5.1 Operating Systems – Why a Computer System Requires an OS

Write pseudocode statements for: the declaration and initialisation of constants

11.1 Programming Basics – Declaration and Initialisation of Constants

Use pseudocode to write: an 'IF' statement including the 'ELSE' clause and nested IF statements

Topic 11.2 – Constructs (Cambridge AS & A‑Level Computer Science 9618)

Write pseudocode statements for: the assignment of values to variables

11.1 Programming Basics – Assignment of Values to Variables

Describe the principles, benefits and drawbacks of each type of life cycle

Software Development Life‑Cycle (SDLC) – Cambridge AS & A‑Level Overview

Show understanding of and perform binary shifts

4.3 Bit Manipulation – Binary Shifts

Understand given SQL (DDL) statements and be able to write simple SQL (DDL) statements using a sub-set of statements

Cambridge A‑Level Computer Science (9618) – Databases: Data Definition Language (DDL)

Explain the use of IP addresses in the transmission of data over the internet

2.1 Networks – The Internet

Show understanding of how encryption works

17.1 Encryption, Encryption Protocols and Digital Certificates

Show understanding of the characteristics of massively parallel computers

15.1 Processors, Parallel Processing and Virtual Machines

Write pseudocode that contains input, process and output

Topic 9.2 – Algorithms: Input, Process, Output and Core Pseudocode Constructs

Use suitable identifier names for the representation of data used by a problem and represent these using an identifier table

Cambridge A‑Level Computer Science (9618) – Syllabus Notes

Show understanding that an algorithm is a solution to a problem expressed as a sequence of defined steps

9.2 Algorithms

Show understanding of the use of buffers

3.1 Computers and Their Components – Buffers

Use pseudocode to write: a 'count-controlled' loop

Topic 11.2 – Constructs (Cambridge AS & A‑Level Computer Science 9618)

Show understanding of the purpose and benefits of networking devices

2.1 Networks – Purpose and Benefits of Networking Devices

Show understanding of thin-client and thick-client and the differences between them

2.1 Networks – The Internet

Show understanding of how data for a vector graphic are encoded

Topic 1.2 Multimedia – Graphic Encoding (Bitmap & Vector)

Show understanding of back propagation of errors and regression methods in machine learning

Topic 18.1 Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Show understanding of the purpose of interrupts

4.1 Central Processing Unit (CPU) Architecture

Show understanding of the methods of file organisation and select an appropriate method of file organisation and file access for a given problem

13.2 File Organisation and Access

Show understanding of Ethernet and how collisions are detected and avoided

2.1 Networks – The Internet

Use logic statements to define parts of an algorithm solution

9.2 Algorithms – Using Logic Statements to Define Parts of an Algorithm

Define and use non-composite types

13.1 User‑defined Data Types – Non‑composite Types

Show awareness of the Secure Socket Layer (SSL)/Transport Layer Security (TLS)

17.1 Encryption, Encryption Protocols and Digital Certificates

Define and use a procedure

11.3 Structured Programming – Define and Use a Procedure

Show understanding of the characteristics of a number of programming paradigms: Object Oriented

20 Programming Paradigms

Show understanding of the relationship between assembly language and machine code

Assembly Language, Machine Code and the Wider Computer‑Science Syllabus – Cambridge IGCSE/A‑Level (9618)

Use a structure chart to decompose a problem into sub-tasks and express the parameters passed between the various modules/procedures/functions which are part of the algorithm design

12.2 Programme Design – Structure Charts

Show understanding of the purpose and roles of the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU), Control Unit (CU) and system clock, Immediate Access Store (IAS)

4.1 Central Processing Unit (CPU) Architecture

Show understanding of the need for and examples of the use of compression

1.3 Compression

Write pseudocode from a structured English description

Topic 9.2 – Converting Structured English to Pseudocode

Show understanding of the basic Von Neumann model for a computer system and the stored program concept

CPU Architecture, Stored‑Program Concept & Related Cambridge Computer Science Topics

Show understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Topic 7.1 – Ethics and Ownership

Show understanding of methods of file access

13.2 File Organisation and Access

Show understanding of how an OS can maximise the use of resources

16.1 Operating‑System Purposes & Management Tasks

Analyse an existing program and make amendments to enhance functionality

12.3 Program Testing and Maintenance

Show understanding of recursion

19.2 Recursion

Show understanding of how bit manipulation can be used to monitor/control a device

4.3 Bit Manipulation

Show understanding of hashing algorithms

13.2 File Organisation & Access – Hashing Algorithms

Show understanding of the impact of changing the sampling rate and resolution

1.2 Multimedia – Sampling Rate, Resolution & Image Types

Explain the differences between Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM)

3.1 Computers and Their Components

Show understanding of embedded systems

3.1 Computers and Their Components – Embedded Systems

Show understanding of how graphs can be used to aid Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI and Graphs – Cambridge International AS & A Level Computer Science (9618)

Show understanding of how an interpreter can execute programs without producing a translated version

16.2 Translation Software – Interpreters and Compilers

Show understanding of circuit switching

14.2 Circuit Switching and Packet Switching

Construct a logic expression

3.2 Logic Gates and Logic Circuits