4.3 introduction to programming (13 hours) Assessment statement Ob Teacher’s notes Explanations and Examples Nature of programming languages 4.3.1 State the fundamental 1 These include: add, compare, ADD means numerical addition operations of a computer. retrieve and store data. Complex capabilities are composed This is referring to Machine Code - the language that of very numbers of very simple a CPU actually understands = NATIVE code operations. 4.3.2 Distinguish between 2 For example, the largest” is a Add accumulator plus 1 fundamental “find → fundamental and compound compound operation. Store accumulator into memory fundamental → operations of a computer. Storing 1,3,5,7,...,99 compound (uses a loop) → Comparing two Strings compound, as it must loop through → the Strings and compare many individual characters 4.3.3 Explain the essential 3 For example, fixed vocabulary, English is not a computer language because meaning is features of a computer unambiguous meaning, consistent NOT unambiguous - for example "store" has several language. grammar and syntax. different meanings TOK Language and meaning. Example computer languages: Java, Javascript, Python, Fortran, Basic, C++ 4.3.4 Explain the need for higher 3 For example, as the human needs High Level code is easier to write, as one single command level languages. for computer systems have like output ARRAY might print out 100 numbers, expanded it is necessary to abstract but low level languages require a loop for this task. from the basic operations of the computer. It would take far too long High Level code may provide more sophisticated concepts, to write the type of systems needed like Object Oriented Programming, that make programming today in machine code. easier and quicker and more reliable
4.3 introduction to programming (13 hours) Assessment statement Ob Teacher’s notes Explanations and Examples Nature of programming languages 4.3.1 State the fundamental operations of a computer. 1 These include: add, compare, retrieve and store data. Complex capabilities are composed of very numbers of very simple operations. ADD means numerical addition This is referring to Machine Code - the language that a CPU actually understands = NATIVE code 4.3.2 Distinguish between fundamental and compound operations of a computer. 2 For example, “find the largest” is a compound operation. Add accumulator plus 1 → fundamental Store accumulator into memory → fundamental Storing 1,3,5,7,...,99 → compound (uses a loop) Comparing two Strings → compound, as it must loop through the Strings and compare many individual characters 4.3.3 Explain the essential features of a computer language. 3 For example, fixed vocabulary, unambiguous meaning, consistent grammar and syntax. TOK Language and meaning. English is not a computer language because meaning is NOT unambiguous - for example "store" has several different meanings Example computer languages: Java, Javascript, Python, Fortran, Basic, C++ 4.3.4 Explain the need for higher level languages. 3 For example, as the human needs for computer systems have expanded it is necessary to abstract from the basic operations of the computer. It would take far too long to write the type of systems needed today in machine code. High Level code is easier to write, as one single command like output ARRAY might print out 100 numbers, but low level languages require a loop for this task. High Level code may provide more sophisticated concepts, like Object Oriented Programming, that make programming easier and quicker and more reliable
Section4.docx