NEW 2.1 Computational Thinking

Using a flowchart to design an algorithm is an example of what?

• Thinking concurrently

• Thinking logically

• Thinking abstractly

• I don't know

Answer explanation

Thinking logically is the skill of identifying the points at which a decision is needed, determine the conditions of those decisions and determine the next steps depending on the outcome of the decisions. It is one of the five main computational thinking skills and is essential for designing and writing solutions to programs.

When designing systems, it is important to consider what aspects are important to solve the problem and what are not. What is this known as?

• Reality

• Programming

• Abstraction

• Implementation

Answer explanation

It is important to appreciate how reality differs from abstraction when modelling aspects of real world objects in computer programs. A simulator game, no matter how detailed would be impossible to program or execute if you tried to include every single variable based on reality.

How would an architectural drawing of a house differ from reality?

• The colour of the paint

• Size and dimensions of the house

• Location of entrances and exits

• Location and size of windows

Answer explanation

An architect drawing would have to replicate many aspects of a house exactly as they appear in reality, for example the location of doors and windows. Exact dimensions and placement of these would exactly match reality, this is the purpose of the drawing. There would be lots of unnecessary detail which would not be needed to be replicated from the real house, for example the choice of exterior paint.

What do we mean when we talk about decision points in a program?

• Any point in a program when processing and calculations are performed

• Any point where the program can take an optional route based on a condition

• Any point in a program when it outputs data

• Any point in a program when a user is asked for input

Answer explanation

Thinking logically is the skill of identifying the points at which a decision is needed. It is one of the five main computational thinking skills and is essential for designing and writing solutions to programs.

Which computational thinking skills can be described as, 'identifying the preconditions of a system, the inputs, outputs and reusable components'?

• Thinking abstractly

• Thinking logically

• Thinking ahead

• Thinking procedurally

Answer explanation

Thinking ahead is the computational skills of identifying the preconditions of a system, the inputs, outputs and reusable components, it is one of the five main computational thinking skills and is essential for designing and writing solutions to programs.

A charity concert is being planned. Which of the following would NOT be considered a 'pre-condition' before deciding on a suitable venue?

• Genre of musical artists (e.g. rock, pop, dance)

• Estimated number of attendees

• Will the concert be held inside or outside

• Estimated noise level of concert

Answer explanation

'Solution preconditions' are any condition which pre-exists the suggested solution. For the scenario of a charity concert the estimated number of attendees, noise level and if the concert is planned to be held inside or outside are all pre-conditions which would effect the choice of appropriate venue.

What is the purpose of a structure diagram?

• To explain the steps of a coded solution in structured English

• Break a problem down to show the order of program modules

• To show the steps of an algorithm

• To show the attributes and methods of a class

Answer explanation

A structure diagram is a common way of producing a modular top-down design of a problem. We use a process known as step-wise refinement to break down the problem into smaller chunks in a tree like structure. The leaf nodes of a structure diagram become procedures / modules / functions in the finished program. The leaf nodes should therefore be a single process which can be turned into a single subroutine.

What is described as, 'anything which will be required to go into a system in any form in order for it to operate as intended'?

• Processing

• Outputs

• Inputs

• Concurrency

Answer explanation

Inputs are anything which will be required to go into a system in any form in order for it to operate as intended. These inputs are then processed by the system following the rules or algorithms of the system.

What can be described as, 'anything which exits a system in any form in order for it to operate as intended'?

• Inputs

• Processing

• Outputs

• Concurrency

Answer explanation

Outputs are anything which exits a system in any form in order for it to operate as intended. These outputs are often the result of complex processing of inputs along with other data. Computer systems can be thought of as input, process, output systems. That also do storage and communication of data.

What can be described as, 'Any condition which pre-exists the suggested solution'?

• Inputs

• Solution preconditions

• Concurrency

• Variables