AQA Mapping

3.1.2 Efficiency of algorithms
Understand that more than one algorithm can be used to solve the same problem.
Compare the efficiency of algorithms explaining how some algorithms are more efficient than others in solving the same problem.

3.1.3 Searching algorithms
Understand and explain how the linear search algorithm works.
Understand and explain how the binary search algorithm works.
Compare and contrast linear and binary search algorithms.

3.1.4 Sorting algorithms
Understand and explain how the merge sort algorithm works.
Understand and explain how the bubble sort algorithm works.
Compare and contrast merge sort and bubble sort algorithms.

Computational Thinking

Search Algorithms

Bubble Sort

Merge Sort

Insertion Sort

Writing Algorithms

3.2.2 Programming concepts
Use, understand and know how the following statement types can be combined in programs:
• variable declaration
• constant declaration
• assignment
• iteration
• selection
• subroutine (procedure/function).
Use definite and indefinite iteration, including indefinite iteration with the condition(s) at the start or the end of the iterative structure.
Use nested selection and nested iteration structures.
Use meaningful identifier names and know why it is important to use them.

3.2.3 Arithmetic operations in a programming language
Be familiar with and be able to use:
• addition
• subtraction
• multiplication
• real division
• integer division, including remainders.

3.2.4 Relational operations in a programming language
Be familiar with and be able to use:
• equal to
• not equal to
• less than
• greater than
• less than or equal to
• greater than or equal to.

3.2.5 Boolean operations in a programming language
Be familiar with and be able to use:
• NOT
• AND
• OR.

3.2.6 Data structures
Understand the concept of data structures.
Use arrays (or equivalent) in the design of solutions to simple problems.
Use records (or equivalent) in the design of solutions to simple problems.

3.2.7 Input/output and file handling
Be able to obtain user input from the keyboard.
Be able to output data and information from a program to the computer display
Be able to read/write from/to a text file

3.2.8 String handling operations in a programming language
Understand and be able to use:
• length
• position
• substring
• concatenation
• convert character to character code
• convert character code to character
• string conversion operations

3.2.9 Random number generation in a programming language
Be able to use random number generation.

3.2.10 Subroutines (procedures and functions)
Understand the concept of subroutines.
Explain the advantages of using subroutines in programs.
Describe the use of parameters to pass data within programs.
Use subroutines that return values to the calling routine.
Know that subroutines may declare their own variables, called local variables, and that local variables usually:
• only exist while the subroutine is executing
• are only accessible within the subroutine.
Use local variables and explain why it is good practice to do so.

3.2.11 Structured programming
Describe the structured approach to programming.
Explain the advantages of the structured approach.

3.2.12 Robust and secure programming
Be able to write simple data validation routines.
Be able to write simple authentication routines.
Be able to select suitable test data that covers normal (typical), boundary (extreme) and erroneous data.
Be able to justify the choice of test data.

3.2.13 Classification of programming languages
Know that there are different levels of programming language:
• low-level language
• high-level language.
Explain the main differences between low-level and high-level languages.
Know that machine code and assembly language are considered to be low-level languages and explain the differences between them.
Understand that ultimately all programming code written in high-level or assembly languages must be translated into machine code.
Understand that machine code is expressed in binary and is specific to a processor or family of processors.
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of low-level language programming compared with high-level language programming.
Understand that there are three common types of program translator:
• interpreter
• compile
• assembler.
Explain the main differences between these three types of translator.
Understand when it would be appropriate to use each type of translator

Variables & Data Types

Program Flow

Operations and String Manipulation

File Handling

Records & SQL

Arrays

Procedures & Functions

Defensive Design

Testing

Translators & IDEs

3.3.2 Converting between number bases
Understand how binary can be used to represent whole numbers.
Understand how hexadecimal can be used to represent whole numbers.
Be able to convert in both directions between:
• binary and decimal
• binary and hexadecimal
• decimal and hexadecimal.

3.3.3 Units of information
Know that:
• a bit is the fundamental unit of information
• a byte is a group of 8 bits.
Know that quantities of bytes can be described using prefixes.
Know the names, symbols and corresponding values for the decimal prefixes:
• kilo, 1 kB is 1,000 bytes
• mega, 1 MB is 1,000 kilobytes
• giga, 1 GB is 1,000 Megabytes
• tera, 1 TB is 1,000 Gigabytes.

3.3.4 Binary arithmetic
Be able to add together up to three binary numbers.
Be able to apply a binary shift to a binary number.
Describe situations where binary shifts can be used.

3.3.5 Character encoding
Understand what a character set is and be able to describe the following character encoding methods:
• 7-bit ASCII
• Unicode.
Understand that character codes are commonly grouped and run in sequence within encoding tables.
Describe the purpose of Unicode and the advantages of Unicode over ASCII.
Know that Unicode uses the same codes as ASCII up to 127.

3.3.6 Representing images
Understand what a pixel is and be able to describe how pixels relate to an image and the way images are displayed.
Describe the following for bitmaps:
• size in pixels
• colour depth.
Know that the size of a bitmap image in pixels (width x height) is known as the image resolution.
Describe how a bitmap represents an image using pixels and colour depth.
Describe using examples how the number of pixels and colour depth can affect the file size of a bitmap image.
Calculate bitmap image file sizes based on the number of pixels and colour depth.
Convert binary data into a black and white image.
Convert a black and white image into binary data.

3.3.7 Representing sound
Understand that sound is analogue and that it must be converted to a digital form for storage and processing in a computer
Understand that sound waves are sampled to create the digital version of sound.
Describe the digital representation of sound in terms of:
• sampling rate
• sample resolution.
Calculate sound file sizes based on the sampling rate and the sample resolution.

3.3.8 Data compression
Explain what data compression is.
Understand why data may be compressed and that there are different ways to compress data.
Explain how data can be compressed using Huffman coding.
Be able to interpret/create Huffman trees.
Be able to calculate the number of bits required to store a piece of data compressed using Huffman coding.
Be able to calculate the number of bits required to store a piece of uncompressed data in ASCII.
Explain how data can be compressed using run length encoding (RLE).
Represent data in RLE frequency/data pairs.

Units

Binary Numbers

Hexadecimal

Characters

Images

Sound

Compression

3.4.2 Boolean logic
Construct truth tables for the following logic gates:
• NOT
• AND
• OR.
Construct truth tables for simple logic circuits.
Interpret the results of simple truth tables.
Create, modify and interpret simple logic circuit diagrams.

3.4.3 Software classification
Explain what is meant by:
• system software
• application software.
Give examples of both types of software.
Understand the need for, and functions of, operating systems (OS) and utility programs. Understand that the OS handles management of the:
• processor(s)
• memory
• I/O devices
• applications
• security.

3.4.4 Systems architecture
Explain the Von Neumann architecture.
Explain the role and operation of main memory and the following major components of a central processing unit (CPU):
• arithmetic logic unit
• control unit
• clock
• bus.
Explain the effect of the following on the performance of the CPU:
• clock speed
• number of processor cores
• cache size
• cache type
Understand and explain the Fetch-Execute cycle.
Understand the differences between main memory and secondary storage.
Understand the differences between RAM and ROM.
Understand why secondary storage is required.
Be aware of different types of secondary storage (solid state, optical and magnetic).
Explain the operation of solid state, optical and magnetic storage.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of solid state, optical and magnetic storage.
Explain the term ‘cloud storage’.
Explain the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage when compared to local storage.
Understand the term ’embedded system’ and explain how an embedded system differs from a non-embedded system.

Operating Systems

Utility Software

Logic

Function of the CPU

Von Neumann Architecture

CPU Characteristics

Memory

Storage

Local Area Networks

Wide Area Networks

Ethernet, WiFi, Protocols

3.6.1 Cyber security threats
Understand and be able to explain the following cyber security threats:
• social engineering techniques
• malicious code
• weak and default passwords
• misconfigured access rights
• removable media
• unpatched and/or outdated software.
Explain what penetration testing is and what it is used for.

3.6.1.1 Social engineering
Define the term social engineering. Describe what social engineering is and how it can be protected against.
Explain the following forms of social engineering:
• blagging (pretexting)
• phishing
• pharming
• shouldering (or shoulder surfing).

3.6.1.2 Malicious code
Define the term ‘malware’.
Describe what malware is and how it can be protected against.
Describe the following forms of malware:
• computer virus
• Trojan
• spyware
• adware

3.6.2 Methods to detect and prevent cyber security threats
Understand and be able to explain the following security measures:
• biometric measures (particularly for mobile devices)
• password systems
• CAPTCHA (or similar)
• using email confirmations to confirm a user’s identity
• automatic software updates

System Security

Impacts