Code EXPERT

An expert has the following skills:

• Input from keyboard

• Output to display

• Decisions (IF...THEN...ELSE...)

• Essential functions: modulus (%), ASC, ORD

• Use of data types: integer, real, Boolean, character, string, casting

• String manipulation

• Common arithmetic operators (+, -, /, *, MOD, DIV)

• Common Boolean operators (NOT, AND, OR)

• Use of common libraries

• Pro-Coder Rule #1: Use descriptive names for variables and sub-routines

• Pro-Coder Rule #2: Convert repeated instructions into loops (condition and counter)

• Pro-Coder Rule #3: Convert repeated functionality into sub-routines

• Data input validation

• Arrays or lists

• Read and write to CSV files

• A search and sort algorithm

• Code using Object Orientation

• Integrate with an appropriate database

• Ability to debug syntax errors and create trace tables to find logic errors

• Ability to search for solutions

• Ability to search for problems

• Document so that a 3rd person can understand the problem being solved and that the problem has been solved.

A key element for NEA success?

• Own the problem you are going to solve.

• Be interested in it.

• Want to solve it.

REMEBER!

GCSE coding challenges are essentially:

1. Input some data from user

2. Process that data

3. Output the result to display and/or file

MORE

• AQA A-level Computer Science NEA assessment guidance document

• 75 NEA project ideas - for inspiration

• WebDevSimplified - a channel for aspiring professional developers

• Guidance on how to tackle a coding problem