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Learn about the negative impacts that data loss will have on an organisation including reputation loss, fines and possible bankruptcy. Based on the 2016 OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT specification for Unit 2 (Global Information). 6.3 - Impacts Exam Board: OCR Specification: 2016 - Unit 2 If a risk to data (see 6.2 ) occurs then there are a number of different impacts that may consequently negatively affect an organisation . Loss of Intellectual Property 'Intellectual property ' refers to anything that an organisation or individual has designed, developed or created themselves . For an individual, this could be a manuscript , artwork or piece of music . For an organisation, it could be primary data they have collected, blueprints for an upcoming design or a report following data analysis. The impact of having intellectual property lost depends on the property itself and how easy it would be for the victim to recreate or recollect the data . Competitors that stole intellectual property could use it at their advantage. Also, the effect of an upcoming announcement to the public would decrease if it was leaked ahead of time. In 2017 HBO suffered large property leaks when Game of Thrones episodes were stolen before air date resulting in pirated versions appearing online well before they were due to be shown on TV. Loss of Service and Access If usernames and passwords are stolen then individuals may be unable to access services that they have paid for, an example being if WiFi details were stolen so that a hacker can access the internet using someone else's account. If a hacker is permitted access to a system they can change the account settings such as the password to lock out the original owners of that account, leaving them without access. Other services can be targeted with malicious attacks like a DDOS attack so that users cannot log into a web page or online service. If users cannot access an account they may use alternative methods and providers , such as avoiding one type of cloud storage provider that has let them down and choosing another. Breach of Confidential Information Confidential information is of a highly sensitive nature and could lead to other negative impacts if it got into the hands of unauthorised people . Confidential information, such as medical histories, should be stored securely with multiple physical and logical protections in place to ensure that it keeps its integrity . If confidential information was breached then it could lead to a loss of reputation as the holder would be regarded as ineffective at protecting the data . Legal consequences would also follow as the Data Protection Act ( 2018 ) would be broken : fines, court cases and even imprisonment would be possible further impacts. An organisation would expect to see penalties from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if they failed to protect personal details by breaking the DPA . Loss of Third Party Data Many organisations will store data not only for their own purposes but for other individuals and businesses too; a key example being cloud storage providers . Users can store data on public cloud services such as Google Drive or DropBox and access their information using the internet from any networked device they please. If services like cloud storage services are hacked or taken offline (e.g. because of an attack or network problems) and data is lost then customers, especially those that pay, will be furious. This will lead to a loss of reputation, trust and even legal proceedings if personal and sensitive data is lost. Larger businesses will use private cloud storage, hosted in data centres that they maintain themselves, to avoid relying on third parties . Loss of Reputation Organisations spend years to build up a reputation where customers trust them and want to use their products or services. Data loss can immediately destroy that reputation and cause once-loyal customers to look elsewhere and choose their competitors . Failing to keep data safe means that an organisation has been unable to follow their legal and moral duty of keeping information secure and could lead to a loss of trade , resulting in reduced earnings and sales . Identity Theft If an individual's personal information is stolen by attackers then one impact is identity theft - when the attacker uses the victim's data for fraud or impersonation . Identity theft can lead to financial loss to the victim if loans , products or services are purchased in their name . The victim may have to contact their bank and other organisations to cancel transactions and there is no guarantee their money will be returned. Credit checks may be affected, leading to future financial difficulty for the victim. Threat to National Security If data of a classified nature (such as military arrangements, security weak-points or upcoming government plans) is lost and falls into the hands (most probably by hacking) of those who intend to bring harm to the country then the consequences can be disastrous. Spies of foreign countries or terrorists could use classified information to target vulnerable locations or events resulting in casualties. Threats could also be economic in nature if large amounts of money are stolen or redirected to malicious bodies. Recent Examples of Security Failure Q uesto's Q uestions 6.3 - Impacts: 1. Describe how each of the impacts above could affect a bank storing large amounts of customer data including financial records. [12 ] 2. Research three recent hacking examples . For each situation describe the impacts that occurred as a result of data loss . [12 ] Click the icons to read BBC News articles about recent examples of hacks and security breaches . Virgin Media Boots Marriott Hotels Facebook Messenger 6.2 - Risks Topic List 6.4 - Protection Measures

Learn about sorting algorithms - merge and bubble sort - and searching algorithms - linear and bubble search. Based on the 2020 Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE specification. 8.4: Sorting & Searching Algorithms Exam Board: Eduqas Specification: 2020 Merge Sort Merge sort is a sorting algorithm based on the idea of ‘divide and conquer ’. A merge sort divides a list into half , again and again until each data item is separate . Then the items are combined in the same way as they were divided , but now in the correct order . When the individual lists are all merged together as one list again, then the data is in order and the algorithm will end . Bubble Sort This algorithm is based on the comparison of adjacent data elements . Data elements are swapped if they are not in the correct order . A bubble sort is not suitable for large sets of data. Linear Search A linear search is the most simple search algorithm. Each data item is searched in order from the first value to the last as if they were all laid out in a line . The list does not have to be in any order before it is searched . This search is also known as a sequential search because the list is searched in a sequence from start to end. For large lists , this search is not very efficient . Binary Search A binary search is a much more efficient searching algorithm as it generally searches through fewer data and is often much quicker - especially for large data sets. In a binary search, the middle point of the data is selected with each iteration and many data items can be ignored. However, the list of data must already be sorted in order before a binary search can take place. Q uesto's Q uestions 8.3 - Searching & Sorting Algorithms: Linear Search Explain step-by-step how the number 8 would be found in the following list using a linear search : 12, 5, 3, 2, 8, 19, 14, 6 [4 ] Binary Search Explain step-by-step how the number 2 would be found in the following list using a binary search : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 [6 ] Merge Sort Explain step-by-step how a merge sort would sort the following list of numbers: 4, 8, 5, 1, 3, 6, 7, 2 [6 ] Bubble Sort Explain step-by-step how a bubble sort would sort the following list of numbers: 3, 2, 6, 4, 1, 4 [6 ] Watch on YouTube Watch on YouTube Watch on YouTube Watch on YouTube 8.3 - Writing Algorithms Theory Topics 8.5 - Validation & Verification

Learn how to create simple programs in Python. Try practice tasks and learn through text and images. Perfect for students learning GCSE Computer Science in UK schools. Formerly pynewbs.com. Follow the instructions in each section and try the practice tasks on every page . At the end of each section are larger problems to solve. Pyt hon Sections 0. Setting up Python Installing and Using Python 1. Printing and Variables a. Printing b. Comments c. Creating Variables d. Using Variables Section 1 Practice Tasks 2. Inputting Data a. Inputting Text b. Inputting Numbers Section 2 Practice Tasks 7. Subroutines a. Procedures b. Functions Section 7 Practice Tasks 8. Lists a. Using Lists b. 2D Lists c. Dictionaries Section 8 Practice Tasks 9. String Handling a. Basic String Handling b. Number Handling Section 9 Practice Tasks 3. Data Types & Calculations a. Data Types b. Simple Calculations Section 3 Practice Tasks 4. Selection a. If Statements b. Mathematical Operators ( & MOD / DIV) c. Logical Operators Section 4 Practice Tasks 5. Importing from Libraries a. Random b. Sleep c. Date & Time d. Colorama e. More Libraries (math) Section 5 Practice Tasks 6. Loops a. For Loops b. While Loops Section 6 Practice Tasks 10. File Handling a. Open & Write to Files b. Read & Search Files c. Remove & Edit Lines Section 10 Practice Tasks 11. User Interfaces a. Graphical User Interface 12. Authentication a. Error Handling Extended Tasks Extended Task 1 (Pork Pies) Extended Task 2 (Lottery) Extended Task 3 (Blackjack) Extended Task 4 (Vet Surgery) Extended Task 5 (Colour Collection) Extended Task 6 (Guess the Word) Extended Task 7 (Guess the Number)

Learn about the characteristics of networks, protocols, standards, the internet, TCP/IP stack, DNS servers, protocol layering, LANs, WANs, packet and circuit switching, network security and threats, firewalls, proxies, encryption, network hardware, client-server and peer to peer networks. Based on the OCR H446 Computer Science A-Level specification. Exam Board: OCR A-Level 3.3 - Networks Specification: Computer Science H446 Watch on YouTube : Purpose of networks (LAN & WAN) Protocols & standards Protocol layering & TCP/IP stack Domain Name System (DNS) Packet & circuit switching Network security threats Network security protection Network hardware Client-server & peer-to-peer This topic looks at how data is transferred between computer systems on networks , including the required devices , protocols , network types and potential security threats . Purpose of Networks A network is a group of connected computers that can share data , resources and communicate with each other . The main purpose of a network is to allow users to share files , hardware (like printers ), internet connections and other services efficiently . A Local Area Network (LAN ) covers a small geographical area , such as a single building or school , and is usually owned and managed by one organisation . A Wide Area Network (WAN ) covers a large geographical area , connecting multiple LANs through public or leased communication lines such as the internet . Protocols & Standards Protocols are sets of rules that define how data is transmitted and received over a network , ensuring that devices can communicate reliably . Standards are agreed specifications that ensure different hardware and software systems are compatible and can work together . They are needed so that networks remain interoperable , secure and efficient , regardless of the devices or manufacturers involved . Common network protocols include: HTTP /HTTPS is used for transferring web pages over the internet . FTP aids the transfer of files across a network . SMTP is used to send emails and IMAP /POP receive emails . TCP/IP is the core suite of protocols that controls how data is packaged , addressed , transmitted and received across networks . Protocol Layering & TCP/IP Stack Protocol layering is used to divide complex networking tasks into manageable sections , making systems easier to design , understand and troubleshoot . It also allows different technologies or protocols to work together , as each layer only interacts with the ones directly above and below it. The four layers are: Application layer : Provides network services to end users , such as web browsing (HTTP ) or email (SMTP ). Transport layer : Manages data transmission between devices, ensuring it arrives reliably and in the correct order (e.g. TCP , UDP ). Internet layer : Handles addressing and routing of data packets between networks using IP (Internet Protocol ). Link layer : Manages the physical connection between devices and controls how data is transmitted over the network hardware . Domain Name System (DNS) The Domain Name System ( DNS ) translates human-readable domain names (like www.csnewbs.com ) into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on a network . When a user enters a web address , the request is sent to a DNS server to find the matching IP address . If the server doesn’t have it stored locally , it queries other DNS servers higher in the hierarchy until it finds the correct address . The IP address is then returned to the user’s device , allowing it to connect to the correct web server to access the requested web page . Packet & Circuit Switching Packet switching and circuit switching are methods of data transmission , describing how data is sent across a network from one device to another . With packet switching , data is split into small packets , each sent independently across the network and reordered at the destination . This makes efficient use of network resources and allows many users to share the same connections . However, packets can arrive out of order or be delayed , causing variable performance . With circuit switching , a dedicated communication path is established between two devices for the duration of a session , as in traditional phone networks . It provides a reliable and consistent connection with guaranteed bandwidth . The drawback is that it wastes resources , as the dedicated line cannot be used by others . Network Security Threats There is a range of potential threats associated with network use to be aware of, including the following: Hackers can attempt to gain unauthorised access to computer systems or networks , often to steal , alter or destroy data . Viruses are malicious programs that attach themselves to other files and spread , potentially damaging or deleting data . Denial of Service ( DoS ) attacks overload a network or website with traffic , making it unavailable to legitimate users . Spyware secretly monitors user activity and collects information such as passwords or browsing habits . An SQL injection involves inserting malicious SQL code into a database query to access or alter sensitive data . Phishing uses fraudulent emails or messages to trick users into revealing personal information . Pharming redirects users from legitimate websites to fake ones designed to steal login details or financial information . Network Security Protection Minimising or preventing network threats is vital and can be achieved with the following measures : Firewalls monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic , blocking unauthorised access while allowing safe communication . Secure passwords help protect user accounts by making it difficult for attackers to guess or crack them, especially when they are long and complex . Anti-virus software scans and removes malicious programs , such as viruses and worms , before they can damage files or systems . Anti-spyware software detects and removes spyware , preventing it from secretly collecting personal or sensitive information from a user’s device . Network Hardware A range of network hardware is required for devices to transfer data to another location , including the following: A modem converts digital data into analogue signals and back , allowing internet access over phone or cable lines . A router directs data between networks and assigns IP addresses to connected devices . Cables provide the physical connections between devices . A Network Interface Card ( NIC ) enables a computer to connect to a network . A Wireless Access Point ( WAP ) allows wireless devices to join a wired network via WiFi . On a local area network ( LAN ), hubs broadcast data to all devices , whereas switches send data only to the intended destination , improving network efficiency . Client-Server & Peer-to-Peer A client–server network has a central server that provides resources and services to client computers . It allows for centralised management , making it easier to back up data and enforce security policies . However, it relies heavily on the server - if it fails , users may lose access to resources . A peer-to-peer (P2P ) network has no central server ; instead, each computer can act as both a client and a server , sharing resources directly . It is cheap and easy to set up , making it suitable for small networks . The drawback is that it can be less secure and harder to manage , as data and security depend on individual users . Q uesto's K ey T erms Purpose of networks: local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN) Protocols: protocol, standard, protocol layers, TCP/IP stack, application layer, transport layer, internet layer, link layer DNS: Domain Name System Switching: packet switching, circuit switching Network security: hackers, viruses, unauthorised access, denial of service, spyware, SQL injection, phishing, pharming, firewalls, secure passwords, anti-virus, anti-spyware Network hardware: modem, router, cable, NIC, Wireless Access Points, hub, switch Client-server & peer-to-peer D id Y ou K now? The first computer worm is considered to be Creeper (in 1971 ), which spread across ARPANET computers and displayed the message: “ I’m the creeper, catch me if you can! ”. A second program called Reaper was then created to delete Creeper , making it arguably the first antivirus . 3.2 - Databases A-Level Topics 3.4 - Web Technologies

Learn about the purpose, characteristics, advantages, disadvantages, examples and client requirements of application software types, including off-the-shelf, custom off-the-shelf and bespoke software. Resources based on Unit F160 (Fundamentals of Application Development) for the OCR Cambridge Advanced National in Computing (H029 / H129) AAQ (Alternative Academic Qualification). Qualification: Cambridge Advanced National in Computing (AAQ) Unit: F160: Fundamentals of Application Development Certificate: Computing: Application Development (H029 / H129) 1.3.3 - Application Software Types Watch on YouTube : Off-the-Shelf Software Custom Off-the-Shelf Software Bespoke Software There are three application software types you need to know : Off-the-shelf software Custom off-the-shelf software Bespoke software For each software type , you need to know : Its purpose and common characteristics . The advantages and disadvantages of using the software. How client requirements affect the selection of that software. Application Software Types Off-the-Shelf Software Off-the-shelf software is pre-made and available for anyone to buy and use . It is designed for general users and common tasks . It is pre-developed and ready-made with standard features for a wide audience , not custom-built for a specific user. Its purpose is to provide a cost-effective , quick-to-deploy solution for popular applications . Custom Off-the-Shelf Software Custom off-the-shelf software is pre-built like regular off-the-shelf software , but can be slightly customised to meet specific user needs . It offers a balance between quick setup and limited personalisation . It supports configurable features such as add-ons , plugins or modules to extend or adapt functionality while the base software remains maintained and updated by the original developer . Bespoke Software Bespoke software is designed and built specifically for one organisation or user . It fits their exact needs but usually costs more and takes longer to develop . An example is a bespoke system developed for a specific bank with custom software to handle financial regulations , unique products and security needs . Other examples include government systems , hospital patient management and air traffic control . Q uesto's Q uestions 1.3.3 - Application Software Types: 1. Explain the differences in purpose and characteristics between off-the-shelf and custom off-the-shelf software. [4 ] 2. A dental surgery needs new software to manage its customer bookings . Justify which application software type they should use and why . [4 ] 3. Describe two advantages and two disadvantages of the three application software types on this page. [ 12 ] Off-the-shelf software gets its name from the days when software like Microsoft Word was sold on physical discs in shops , for customers to take off the shelf and install at home . D id Y ou K now? 1.3.2 - Software Categories Topic List 2.1 - Software Development Models

The most common errors made in Grennfoot when making a game and how to fix them, including when missing punctuation is expected or the end of file is reached while parsing. Common Greenfoot Errors Greenfoot Home If the world becomes greyed out and you can't click on anything then an error has occurred. The actor with the error will have red lines on it. When an error occurs, a red squiggly line will appear underneath the problem. Hover your mouse over the line and a helpful message will appear to help you solve the issue. Some of the more common errors (and how to fix them) are listed below: ; expected Every line with a white background must end in a semi colon ( ; ) ) expected You have missed a bracket . Count the number of open brackets and the number of closed brackets on a line and make sure you have an equal number of both. reached end of file while parsing You are missing at least one curly bracket ( } ) at the end of your program . Press enter to move onto a new line at the bottom; you must have a closed curly bracket with a yellow background and another closed curly bracket with a green background . cannot find symbol You have typed a command incorrectly . Greenfoot uses a system where commands have no spaces and each word after the first word is uppercase . Such as isKeyDown not IsKeyDown and not isKeydown. Check your spelling and capitals carefully. Stuck ? If you start typing but can't remember what commands come next, press Ctrl and Space together to show a list of all possible commands that you can use.

Learn about how communication skills contribute to software application development, including verbal, written and questioning techniques. Based on Unit F160 (Fundamentals of Application Development) for the OCR Cambridge Advanced National in Computing (H029 / H129) (AAQ - Alternative Academic Qualification). Qualification: Cambridge Advanced National in Computing (AAQ) Unit: F160: Fundamentals of Application Development Certificate: Computing: Application Development (H029 / H129) 6.2 - Communication Skills Watch on YouTube : Communication skills Developers working to create applications must be able to effectively communicate with team members , clients and users in a range of different ways . There are five communication skills you need to know: appropriate language , verbal , non-verbal , questioning techniques and written communication . You need to be aware of how each communication skill contributes to software application development and when they would be used appropriately by various job roles and in different stages of application development . Communication Skills Forms of Communication Appropriate language must be used to meet the needs of the audience by tailoring vocabulary , tone and technical detail to suit the client . Non-verbal communication includes body language , facial expressions , gestures , posture , eye contact and appearance . Question techniques have different goals , such as probing questions being used to explore detail and clarifying questions to check understanding . Verbal communication relates to spoken words and includes articulation , tone and pace , but also listening skills . Written communication is through emails , reports , documentation , messages and comments . It requires clarity , accuracy and professionalism . Q uesto's Q uestions 6.2 - Communication Skills: 1. Give examples of when written communication would be used in application development and by which job roles . [3 ] 2. Describe four different types of questions , with an example of each that relates to application development . [4 ] 3. Explain why effective non-verbal communication is important in application development . [ 3 ] Studies estimate that adults ask about 30 questions a day , whereas 4-year-olds ask on average 300 questions a day . D id Y ou K now? 6.1 - Job Roles Topic List

Learn about the risks of storing and processing data, including accidental deletion and hacking. Based on the 2016 OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT specification for Unit 2 (Global Information). 6.2 - Risks Exam Board: OCR Specification: 2016 - Unit 2 Unauthorised Access to Data As part of the security principle of confidentiality , data should only be viewed by individuals with the authorisation to do so. There are two main reasons why data may be viewed by someone who shouldn't - espionage and poor information management . Espionage is the act of collecting data so that it can be used against an organisation - such as a competitor acquiring information about their rival's product before it is launched publicly. If a company has poor information management strategies in place and data is insecurely stored or too many people have access to sensitive information then it is more likely to be viewed by unauthorised persons. Not only would competitors benefit from unauthorised access, but the Data Protection Act (2018 ) would also be broken if personal data was accessed . Accidental Loss of Data Data loss refers to information being irretrievably lost - not just a copy of the file but the original version too so it cannot be accessed in any format . One reason for accidental data loss is equipment failure or a technical error that leads to data corruption , such as a database crash or hard drive failure. Human error is another reason for accidental data loss as an employee might accidentally delete a file or discard an important paper document without realising. If data is accidentally lost then it could mean that hours of data entry and collection will have been for nothing and might delay dependent processes such as analysis and trend recognition. Also, if it was personal data that was lost then the security principle of availability has been broken and the Data Protection Act ( 2018 ) has been breached . Intentional Destruction of Data This is the act of purposely damaging an organisation by deleting or denying access to data . Examples include viruses that corrupt data so that it can no longer be used and targeted malicious attacks such as DDOS (distributed denial of service) attacks or ransomware . Ransomware encrypts files so that they can only be accessed again when certain criteria have been met, usually the affected group having to pay an extortionate fee . When data is intentionally deleted the organisation in question can respond by replacing the data and any infected computer systems / devices or by ignoring the loss and not making the breach public - but having to re-collect / re-analyse the data. Data destruction will usually lead to a loss of reputation as customers won't want to have their information stored in a system they see as unreliable and insufficiently protected . This loss of reputation could lead to customer loss and a decrease in profits . If the loss is ignored and unreported then it could result in a huge loss of trust when it is eventually revealed - like Yahoo who only confirmed a massive data breach that happened in 2013, two years later in 2016. This breach affected all 3,000,000,000 Yahoo accounts and is the largest data breach in the history of the internet. Intentional Tampering with Data This is when data is changed and no longer accurate . This could occur through fraudulent activity such as hacking to change information displayed on a webpage. An example is if a student or a teacher changed exam answers for a better grade. A business example is if a company tampered with financial data to display larger profits and smaller losses than real figures, to boost investment or please stakeholders. If data tampering is found out then it can result in a loss of reputation as that organisation cannot be trusted to report data accurately . If personal data has been altered then the security principle of integrity will have been broken as the data is no longer accurate . Data security methods and protection systems will also need to be reviewed if data has been tampered with, especially if it was an external individual that accessed and changed the data. Employees that tamper with data will be fired and may face legal action . Q uesto's Q uestions 6.2 - Risks: 1. Describe two effects on an organisation for each of the four identified risks . [8 ] 2. Research at least one real-life example for each risk above and describe the consequences of that example, such as the Yahoo data breach. [12 ] 6.1 - Security Principles Topic List 6.3 - Impacts

The first part of a quick guide to the basics of Python aimed at Key Stage 3 students. Learn about comments and printing. Python - #2 - Variables 1. Number Variables A variable is a value that can change . Imagine there are 20 biscuits in a jar. Then I eat one. Now there are only 19. You must state what the value of a variable is before it is used . e.g. biscuits = 20 Task 1 - Create a new Python program and save the file as 2-Variables.py Create a variable called sweets and give it the value 15. Then print sweets. Variable names cannot have spaces . You can use underscores if you want, e.g. num_of_eggs When you are printing variables, you don't put them in speech marks . Otherwise, it will print the variable name and not the value. 2. String Variables A string is a programming term for a collection of characters . When you are giving a variable a string value, it must be written in speech marks . Remember when you print the variable however, it is never printed in speech marks . Task 2 - Create a variable called name and give it the value of your name. Then print the name variable. 3. Using Variables in a Sentence When we have printed the variables so far, they have not been very informative! You can print variables together with sentences so that they mean more. Use a comma ( , ) between variables and sentences . Task 3 - Use the pictures to help you add commas and sentences to your program to be more informative. 4. Using Variables Together You can print more than one variable together in the same sentence by separating them with sentences and commas . If this doesn't work, double-check your program has a comma between each variable and sentence . Task 4 - Type a new print line that uses both your name and your sweets variables together. Use the image to help you. Challenge Programs Use everything that you have learned on this page to help you create these programs... Challenge Task 1 - Funny Animals Create a new Python program. Save it as ' 2-FunnyAnimals.py ' Add a comment at the top with your name and the date. Create a variable for a colour and give it a value (e.g. "blue") Create a variable for an animal and give it a value (e.g. "horse") Print a funny sentence that uses both variables. BONUS : Try to use only one print line. BONUS : Try to use only three lines in total . Remember: Break up variables in a print line by using commas. When you run it, it could look something like this: Challenge Task 2 - Funny Sentence Create a new Python program. Save is as ' 2-FunnySentence.py ' Add a comment at the top with your name and the date. Write a program that uses three variables, an adjective (descriptive word), a number and an animal. Print a funny response using all variables. BONUS : Try to use only one print line. BONUS : Try to use only four lines in total . Remember: Break up variables in a print line by using commas. When you run it, it could look something like this: <<< #1 The Basics #3 Inputs >>>

Learn about algorithms including pseudocode and flowcharts. Based on the 2020 Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE specification. 8.2: Understanding Algorithms Exam Board: Eduqas Specification: 2020 What is an algorithm? An algorithm is a set of instructions , presented in a logical sequence . In an exam you may be asked to read and understand an algorithm that has been written. To prove your understanding you may be asked to respond by actions such as listing the outputs of the algorithm, correcting errors or identifying an error within it. Programmers create algorithm designs as a method of planning a program before writing any code. This helps them to consider the potential problems of the program and makes it easier to start creating source code. There are two main methods of defining algorithms : Defining Algorithms - Pseudocode & Flowcharts Pseudocode Pseudocode is not a specific programming language but a more general method of describing instructions . It should be unambiguous, and it should not resemble any particular kind of programming language (e.g. Python or Java), so it can theoretically be turned into working code in any language. Generally, pseudocode can be written in any way that is readable and clearly shows its purpose. However, the Eduqas exam board advises that pseudocode for the programming exam should follow the conventions below : Annotation { Write your comment in curly brackets} Define data type price is integer firstname is string Declare a variable's value set price = 100 set firstname = "Marcella" Input / output output "Please enter your first name" input firstname Selection (must have indentation) if firstname = "Steven" then output "Hello" + firstname elif firstname = "Steve" then output "Please use full name" else output "Who are you?" end if Iteration (while loop) while firstname ! = "Steven" output "Guess my name." input firstname repeat Iteration (for loop) for i in range 10 input item next i Define a subroutine Declare Sub1 [Subroutine content indented] End Sub1 Call a subroutine call Sub1 Flowcharts A flowchart can be used to visually represent an algorithm. The flowchart symbols are: Algorithm Examples Below are two different methods for representing the same algorithm - a program to encourage people to buy items cheaply at a supermarket. The program allows the price of items in a supermarket to be entered until the total reaches 100. The total price and the number of items entered are tracked as the program loops. Once the total reaches 100 or more, an if statement checks how many items have been entered and a different message is printed if there are 20 or more items, 30 or more items or less than 20 items. Pseudocode Flowchart {This is a program to see how many items you can buy in a supermarket before you spend over £100} total is integer, itemsentered is integer, itemprice is integer set total = 0 set itemsentered = 0 while total < 100 output "enter the price of the next item" input itemprice total = total + itemprice itemsentered = itemsentered + 1 repeat if itemsentered >= 20 then output "You are on your way to saving money." elif itemsentered => 30 then output "You're a real money saver." else output "Look for better deals next time." end if Reading Algorithms In an exam you may be asked to read an algorithm and prove your understanding , most commonly by listing the outputs . Start from the first line and follow the program line by line , recording the value of variables as you go . When you encounter a for loop , repeat the indented code as many times as stated in the range . Example Algorithm: Start NewProgram i is integer maxvalue is integer input maxvalue for i = 1 to maxvalue output (i * i) ??????? output 'program finished' End NewProgram Example Questions: 1. List the outputs produced by the algorithm if the 'maxvalue' input is 5 . 2. State the code that has been replaced by '???????' and what the code's purpose is. Example Answers: 1. Outputs: 1 4 9 16 25 program finished 2. Missing Code: next i Purpose: Moves the loop to the next iteration. Watch on YouTube Q uesto's Q uestions 8.2 - Understanding Algorithms: 1a. Read the algorithm shown on the left and list all outputs in the correct order if the inputs are 2 for height and 72 for weight . 1b. Give the code that is missing from line 25 . 8.1 - Programming Principles Theory Topics 8.3 - Writing Algorithms

Learn how to use if statements in Python. Try practice tasks and learn through text and images. Perfect for students learning GCSE Computer Science in UK schools. top Python 4a - If Statements If Statements Selection is one of three constructs of programming , along with Sequence (logical order) and Iteration (loops). An if statement is a conditional statement that performs a specific action based on conditional values. Essentially, if thing A is true , then thing B will happen . If the user answers yes to the window question, then an appropriate statement is printed. Double equals stands for ‘is equal to ‘. The colon stands for THEN and the line after an if statement must be indented (press tab key once). answer = input ( "Is the window open? " ) if answer == "yes" : print ( "It's chilly in here!" ) Is the window open? yes It's chilly in here! But what if the window is not open? At the moment nothing will happen if you type no: Is the window open? no The elif command stands for else if . Essentially: If thing A is true then do thing B, else if thing C is true then do thing D: But what about any other answer than yes or no? The else command will submit a response if the value is anything else. The if and elif commands have a colon at the end, but else has it at the start. Also, else does not need to be on a new line. answer = input ( "Is the window open? " ) if answer == "yes" : print ( "It's chilly in here!" ) elif answer == "no" : print ( "It's quite hot in here!" ) answer = input ( "Is the window open? " ) if answer == "yes" : print ( "It's chilly in here!" ) elif answer == "no" : print ( "It's quite hot in here!" ) else : print ( "I'm not sure what you mean." ) Is the window open? no It's quite hot in here! Is the window open? banana I'm not sure what you mean. If Statements Task 1 ( Left or Right?) Use an input line to ask the user whether they want to turn left or right . Print a sentence of your choice if they chose left and a different sentence if they chose right . Include an else statement in case the user doesn't input left or right. Example solutions: There is a path ahead. Do you turn left or right? left The path turns and twists until it reaches a cliff. Dead end! There is a path ahead. Do you turn left or right? right A snake slithers across the path and bites your leg. Oh no! There is a path ahead. Do you turn left or right? backwards That's not an option! Nested If Statements Complex programs may require you to have if statements within if statements - when programming, one thing inside another is known as nesting . You must make sure that the related if , elif and else statements line up with each other . Use the tab key to indent a line. outer if inner if weather = input ( "What is the weather like today? " ) if weather == "sunny" : sunny = input ( "How hot is it? " ) if sunny == "very hot" : print ( "Take some sunglasses with you!" ) elif sunny == "cool" : print ( "Maybe take a jacket just in case?" ) else : print ( "Enjoy the sunshine!" ) elif weather == "rainy" : print ( "Take an umbrella!" ) else : print ( "Have a good day!" ) = What is the weather like today? rainy Take an umbrella! = What is the weather like today? sunny How hot is it? cool Maybe take a jacket just in case? = What is the weather like today? snowy Have a good day! = What is the weather like today? sunny How hot is it? very hot Take some sunglasses with you! If Statements Task 2 ( Nested Ifs) Use the weather program above as an example to help you write your own program with a nested if for at least one option. Be careful to have your nested if's if, elif and else statements in line with each other. Your program doesn't have to be about juice. Example solutions: Would you like orange, apple or tomato juice? orange Would you like your orange juice smooth or with bits? smooth One smooth orange juice coming up! Would you like orange, apple or tomato juice? orange Would you like your orange juice smooth or with bits? bits A pulpy orange juice is on its way! Would you like orange, apple or tomato juice? tomato Yuck, you can't be serious? Using Selection with Numbers Comparison operators such as > (greater than ) > = (greater than or equal to ) < (less than ) and < = (less than or equal to ) can be used with if statements. Logical operators such as and and or can also be used - more about them in section 4c . When comparing a variable's value to a specific number, such as 50, don't forget to use double equals ( == ) . Python Comparison Operators score = int ( input ( "Enter the maths test score: " )) if score == 50: print ( "You scored top marks!" ) elif score >= 40 and score < 50: print ( "You scored a great grade!" ) elif score >= 20 and score < 40: print ( "You did okay in the test." ) else : print ( "You have to try harder next time!" ) = Enter the maths test score: 50 You scored top marks! = Enter the maths test score: 43 You scored a great grade! = Enter the maths test score: 20 You did okay in the test. = Enter the maths test score: 13 You have to try harder next time! If Statements Task 3 ( Fastest lap) A racing video game has a challenging track that players try to get a quick lap on. The current fastest lap time is 37 seconds . Ask the player to enter their lap time and print a response based on their input . You need individual responses for the following inputs: Faster than 37 seconds. Between 37 seconds and 59 seconds. Between 60 seconds and 90 seconds. Slower than 90 seconds. Example solutions: Enter your lap time: 35 You have set a new record!!! Enter your lap time: 59 You did well this time! Enter your lap time: 83 A little bit slow this time! Enter your lap time: 110 Were you even trying!?! Hurry up! Not Equal To The opposite of equal to ( == ) is not equal to ( != ). != is often used with while loops to repeat code while an input is not what is expected , for example repeatedly asking for a password while the input is not equal to "fluffythecat123". The code below uses != for an incorrect answer (although it could easily be re-written to use == for a correct answer). answer = input ( "What is the capital of Eritrea? " ) if answer != "Asmara" : print ( "That is incorrect! It is Asmara." ) else : print ( "You got it right!" ) = What is the capital of Eritrea? Asmara You got it right! = What is the capital of Eritrea? Windhoek That is incorrect! It is Asmara. If Statements Task 4 ( True or False? ) Come up with your own true or false question that the user has to respond to. Depending on their answer , print whether they got it right or wrong . You may want to use an if statement with == for a correct answer or != for an incorrect answer , there's multiple ways to write this program. Example solutions: There are 140 million miles between Earth and Mars. TRUE or FALSE? TRUE That is correct! It is really that far! There are 140 million miles between Earth and Mars. TRUE or FALSE? FALSE You got it wrong, there really are 140 million miles between us! ⬅ Section 3 Practice Tasks 4b - Mathematical Operators ➡

Learn about six network devices - hub, switch, router, bridge, WAP and NIC. Also, learn about routing tables and cost diagrams. Based on the 2020 Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE specification. 3.4: Network Hardware & Routing Exam Board: Eduqas Specification: 2020 Network Devices Hub A hub receives data packets from a connected device and transfers a copy to all connected nodes . Switch A switch receives data packets , processes them and transfers them on to the device specifically listed in the destination address of the packet. Router Routers are used to transfer data packets between networks . Data is sent from network to network on the internet towards the destination address listed in the data packet. A router stores the address of each computer on the network and uses routing tables to calculate the quickest and shortest path . Bridge A bridge joins together two networks that use the same base protocols . For example, a bridge could link together a LAN to another LAN . Wireless Access Point (WAP) Provides a link between wireless and wired networks . It creates a wireless local area network that allows WiFi enabled devices to connect to a wired network. Network Interface Card (NIC) A Network Interface Card (often shortened to NIC ) is an internal piece of hardware that is required for the computer to connect to a network . It used to be a separate expansion card but now it is commonly built directly into the motherboard (and sometimes known as a network adapter ). Wireless network interface cards ( WNIC ) permit a wireless network connection. Routing A routing table is a list of the optimal routes for data packets to be sent from one device to another. Routing tables should be kept accurate and up to date to ensure that packets are transferred as quickly as possible . During routing the lowest cost route is calculated . This is the shortest path with the fastest nodes to transfer data. Below is a simplified network and basic routing table showing the lowest cost (optimal) route using node A as the source address. Q uesto's Q uestions 3.4 - Network Hardware & Routing: 1a. Describe the difference between a hub and a switch . [ 2 ] 1b. Explain how a modem works. [ 2 ] 1c. Describe the purpose of a router . [ 2 ] 1d. Describe the difference between a gateway and a bridge . [ 2 ] 1e. State what WAP stands for and describe its purpose . [ 2 ] 1f. State what NIC stands for and why it is required . [ 2 ] 2a. Describe what a routing table is and why they should be maintained . [ 2 ] 2b. In terms of routing, what does a low-cost route mean? [ 2 ] 2c. Copy and complete the routing table below using node J as the source address . [ 4 ] 3.3 - Network Topology Theory Topics 3.5 - Protocols