1.1

Data and Computational Constructs

Data types

• What is a variable?
• Character
• String
• Integer
• Graphical
• Real (N5)
• Boolean (N5)
• Arrays (N5)

Operators

• Arithmetic
• Assignment
• Boolean
• Relational
• Concatenation

Constructs

• Sequence
• Selection
• Conditionals
• Iteration

Procedures

• Procedures
• Functions
• Round
• Random
• Casting (eg. INT)

1.2

Algorithms

Structure diagrams

• Decomposition
• Standard formats

Flowcharts

• Standard shapes
• Use in algorithms

Pseudocode

• What is pseudocode?
• Example algorithms

1.3

Testing

Validation and Test Data

• Length validation
• Range validation
• Test data

Errors

• Syntax
• Logic
• Execution

Maintainability

• Commentary
• Identifiers
• Whitespace
• Indentation

1.4

Low-level Operations

Units

• Bits
• Bytes
• Kb,Mb,Tb.Pb

Binary

• Use of binary
• Binary to denary (N5)
• Denary to binary (N5)

Languages and Translators (N5)

• Machine code
• High-level languages
• Interpreters
• Compilers

Real numbers (N5)

• Real numbers
• Mantissa Exponent
• Denary Floating
• Binary Floating

Representing characters

• Standard ASCII
• Extended ASCII (N5)
• Unicode (N5)

Bitmap images (N5)

• Pixels
• Colour depth
• File size

Vector images (N5)

• Vector images
• Formats
• Objects
• Bitmap vs. Vector

Computer architecture

• Architecture
• CPU
• ALU
• Control unit
• Computer memory
• Buses
• Interfaces

1.5

Contemporary Developments

Trends in programming languages and development environments

• First generation
• Second generation
• Third generation
• Fourth generation
• Fifth generation
• IDEs

2.1

Databases

Database structure

• Fields
• Field types
• Records
• Files
• Flat-file
• Relational

Keys

• Primary keys
• Compound keys
• Secondary keys
• Foreign keys
• Referential integrity

Validation

• Presence check
• Restricted choice
• Field length
• Range
• Check Digit

Database operation

• Searching
• Sorting
• Insert
• Delete
• Update
• Complex search

2.2

Web-based Structures

Structures

• Website
• Page
• URL

Addressing

• Internal hyperlinks
• External hyperlinks
• Relative
• Absolute

Navigation

• Need for navigation
• Examples

Web software

• Browsers
• Search engines

2.3

Media

File and media quality

• Resolution
• Colour depth
• Sampling rate
• File size (including units)
• Compression
• File formats

2.4

Designing Information Systems

Features

• Purpose
• Features
• Types of users
• Age of users

User interface

• Visuals
• Navigation
• Selection
• Consistency
• Interactivity
• Readability

Coding (HTML)

Coding (Javascript)

Testing

• Links
• Navigation
• User interface
• Media display

2.5

Requirements of Information Systems

Hardware requirements

• Input/output devices
• Performance factors
• Processors
• Memory

Software requirements

• Types of software
• Application software
• Operating systems

Operating systems

• Purpose
• Kernel
• User Interface (HCI)
• Device Drivers

Web browsers

• OS support
• Privacy modes
• Ad filtering
• Accessibility

Storage devices

• Magnetic
• Optical
• Solid state
• Storage interfaces
• Firewire
• USB

Choosing storage

• Local vs Remote
• Capacity
• Portability
• Other concerns

2.6

Networks

Types of network

• Client/Server
• Peer-to-Peer
• Wired
• Wireless
• Optical

Network hardware

• NIC
• Hub
• Switch
• Router
• Ethernet
• Wireless hardware

2.7

Security

Malware and Hacking

• Viruses
• Worms
• Trojans
• Browser malware
• Keyloggers
• DOS/DDOS

Social Hacking

• Phishing
• Pharming
• Fraud
• Identity theft

Prevention

• Anti-virus
• Passwords
• Biometrics
• Firewalls

2.8

Information Systems and Society

Legislation

• Data Protection Act
• Computer Misuse Act
• Copyright, Designs & Patents Act
• Communication Acts
• Health and Safety

Environment

• E-waste
• Recycling
• Energy use
• Carbon footprints