About the developer of this workbook

Inqilab Patel is an O & A Level Computer Teacher. Currently he is teaching A & O Level Computer Science
at The City School PAF Chapters, Hira Foundation School and Intellect. He has taught in many other
schools including Yaqeen Model School, Karachi Cadet School, KN Academy, Hexis A Level, Verge and
Nakhlah Boys Campus Society. Cambridge has selected him as a Member of Cambridge Editorial
Review Board. He is also associated with Aga Khan University Examination Board in the capacity of
Chief Examiner, Item Writer, E-Marker, Karachi Board of Secondary Education the capacity of
Deputy Head Examiner and Sindh Board of Technical Education.

His entire career path revolves around computer science; either he was a student or a teacher.
He got a chance to polish his skills of teaching and studying more about computers at various
levels which has given him great confidence in presenting himself for any senior level position of
transferring his knowledge to the youth.

He has not stopped; he is continuing with his education at the higher levels. It is his second
semester of MPhil computer studies from a well-known university of Pakistan; The Institute of
Business & Technology.

Inqilab Patel knows a lot of methods of teaching computers and has developed tutorial notes,
worksheets and assignments for my students. He also maintains a website
(www.inqilabpatel.com) which is specifically designed for the support of those who want to excel
in GCSE computer science. He also regularly contributes material to CIE teacher support website,
for which he receives appreciation from different people across the world.

He has also received various training in innovative and special methods of teaching this subject.

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 COMPUTER SCIENCE WITH INQILAB PATEL
9.1 Computational Thinking Skills
Syllabus outline:
Describe and use decomposition
Break down problems into sub-problems leading to the concept of a program module (procedure /
function)
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.

Abstraction – the process of extracting information that is essential, while ignoring what is not
relevant, for the provision of a solution.
Decomposition – the process of breaking a complex problem into smaller parts.
Pattern recognition – the identification of parts of a problem that are similar and could use the same
solution.
Computational thinking is used to study a problem and formulate an effective solution that can be
provided using a computer. There are several techniques used in computational thinking, including
abstraction, decomposition, and pattern recognition.
Q 1) What is meant by computational thinking?
Computational Thinking - is used to study a problem and formulate an effective solution that can be
provided using a computer. There are several techniques used in computational thinking, including
abstraction, decomposition, and pattern recognition.

Q 2) Give reason/benefits for decomposition (breaking down a problem).

Program code is easier to implement.
Different people can be assigned to work on different modules
Program code is easier to test and debug.
Modules are re-usable.

Q 3a) Describe need for and benefits of using abstraction, Describe the purpose of abstraction.
Abstraction involves filtering out information that is not necessary to solve a problem. Abstraction
gives us the power to deal with complexity.
The benefits of abstraction:
• the time required to develop the program is reduced so the program can be delivered to the
customer more quickly
• the program is smaller in size so takes up less space in memory and download times are shortened
• customer satisfaction is greater as their requirements are met without any extraneous features.

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Q 3b) Stepwise refinement is often used in the development of an algorithm.
Describe stepwise refinement.
Stepwise refinement – is the practice of subdividing each part of a larger problem into a series of
smaller parts, and so on, as required.
Benefits of Stepwise refinement:
Increases the level of detail of the algorithm
Make steps easier to solve
to be directly translated into lines of code

Q 4) What is system and sub-system?

A system is a set of rules, an arrangement of things, or a group of related things that work together to
perform a function.
A system is made up of a number of subsystems. Each subsystem can be further divided into
subsystems and so on until each sub-system just performs a single action.
Computer system is often divided up into sub-systems. This division can be shown using top-down
design to produce structure diagrams that demonstrate the modular construction of the system.

Q 5) Define System and Sub-system.

System is a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized
scheme or method.
A system is a set of rules, an arrangement of things, or a group of related things that work together to
perform a function.
A system is made up of a number of subsystems. Each subsystem can be further divided into
subsystems and so on until each sub-system just performs a single action.

Q 6) What is meant by computer system?

A COMPUTER SYSTEM is made up of hardware, software & data, communications and people;
each computer system can be divided up into a set of sub-systems. Each subsystem can be further
divided into sub-systems and so on until each sub-system just performs a single action.

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 COMPUTER SCIENCE WITH INQILAB PATEL
Q 7) Define Top-Down Design
Top-down design is the breaking down of a computer system into a set of subsystems, then
breaking each sub-system down into a set of smaller sub-systems, until each sub-system just
performs a single action.

Q 8) What is transferable skills? Explain how it helps in work on not familiar programming language.
Transferable skills, are the abilities programmer can transfer from one language to another.
Programmer should be able to recognise / understand in another language:
• Declaration, assignment, sequence, selection, repetition (iteration)
Subroutines, Parameters passed between modules
program structure, Input and Output

Q 8) Describe Structure Diagrams

The STRUCTURE DIAGRAM shows the design of a computer system in a hierarchical way, with
each level giving a more detailed breakdown of the system into sub-systems.

Q 9) A structure chart is often used in modular program design.

State four features of structure diagram:
Feature 1: Sequence of operation
Feature 2: Selection of modules
Feature 3: Repetition
Feature 4: Parameters

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Q 10) Define Library routines
A LIBRARY ROUTINE is a set of programming instructions for a given task that is already available
for use. It is pre-tested and usually performs a task that is frequently required.

Q 11) Define Sub-routines

A SUB-ROUTINE is a set of programming instructions for a given task that forms a subsystem, not
the whole system. Sub-routines written in high-level programming languages are called ‘procedures’
or ‘functions’ depending on how they are used.

Q 11b) State three advantages of using built-in functions.

Saves development time, no need to write it again.
Pre-compiled and well tested, more reliable, less chance of error
Available to all programs

Q 12) What is meant by Function?

A Function is a sub-routine that always returns a value.

Q 13) What is meant by Procedure?

A Procedure is a sub-routine that doesn’t have to returns a value.

Q 14) Differentiate terms Paramenter and Argument.

A parameter is a variable in a method definition. While the arguments are the data that are passed.

1 (c) An airline wants to provide passengers with information about individual flights and allow them to
book their flight using an online booking system.
(i) Tick one box in each row of the table to indicate whether each item of information would be
essential for the customer when making the booking. [3]
Information Essential Not essential
Departure time
Flight number
Departure airport
Aircraft type
Ticket price
Number of seats in aircraft

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 COMPUTER SCIENCE WITH INQILAB PATEL
(ii) Identify the technique used to filter out information that is not essential when designing the
booking system and state one benefit of this technique.
Technique ..........................................................................................................................
Benefit ...............................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................... [2]
(iii) Identify two additional pieces of essential information that a passenger might need when booking
a flight.
1 ........................................................................................................................................
2 ........................................................................................................................................ [2]

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 Refer to the insert for the list of pseudocode functions and operators.
1 (a) A programmer applies decomposition to a problem that she has been asked to solve.
Describe decomposition.
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [2]

1 (a) Complete this definition of the term algorithm.

An algorithm is a solution to a problem expressed as ..............................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................. [2]
(b) A program design includes the use of subroutines (functions and procedures).
Give three advantages of using subroutines in a program.
1 ................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
2 ................................................................................................................................................
...................................................................................................................................................
3 ................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................... [3]

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 COMPUTER SCIENCE WITH INQILAB PATEL
(c) Draw lines on the following diagram to connect each computing term with the appropriate
description. [3]
Term Description

Checking that a program performs as

Selection
expected

A method for increasing the level of

Black-box testing
detail of an algorithm

Stepwise To test a condition to determine the

refinement path of program execution

A method of executing certain lines of

Iteration
code more than once

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