Reinforcement: 05-10 Years' relevant CIE Answers.

Section 2.1

http://sites.google.com/site/computing9691/
Page 1 of 3

Past Papers Answers:
May/June 2000
Oct/NOV 2000
May/June 2001
Oct/NOV 2001
May/June 2002
Oct/NOV 2002
May/June 2003
Oct/NOV 2003
May/June 2004
3. (c) A program has been written using a top-down technique.
The individual modules in the program have been fully tested and there are no errors in any
of them.
Explain why the program may fail to run or may produce incorrect results, despite the testing
that has been done.

- Individual modules may be linked incorrectly
- Clash of variables across modules
- Parameter values of wrong type
(1 per point, max 2) (2)

Oct/NOV 2004
May/June 2005
Oct/NOV 2005
May/June 2006
5. (a) Programs can be designed in modular form.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of designing programs in modular form.

- Advantages:
- fewer bugs because each set of programming commands is shorter
- algorithm is more easily understood
- many programmers can be employed, one on each of the modules
- programmers can use their expertise on particular techniques
- testing can be more thorough on each of the modules
- allows library programs to be inserted
- all of which saves time and means the finished program can be completed more quickly

- Disadvantages:
- can lead to problems with variable names
- means documentation of modules must be thorough
- can lead to problems when modules are linked because links must be thoroughly tested
(1 per -, max 4 advantages, max 5) [5]

(b) A program is to be written which will update the records in a sequential file and then
produce a backup copy.
Describe, using a diagram, the way that this problem can be split into modules to prepare it
for coding.


- Example diagram, flowchart is just as acceptable.

Reinforcement: 05-10 Years' relevant CIE Answers.
Section 2.1

http://sites.google.com/site/computing9691/
Page 2 of 3



Mark points:
- distinct layers/modules represented
- problem shown as most important/top
- use of repeat in some way (*/loop/...)
- correct condition to end loop
- use of backup as separate module
- condition to amend or not/()
- condition to alter or delete/()
- result copied to new file
- (1 per -, max 5, max 3 if no diagram attempted) [5]


Oct/NOV 2006
May/June 2007
Oct/NOV 2007
May/June 2008
Oct/NOV 2008
May/June 2009
A company specialises in creating websites for customers.
8. (a) As part of the process of designing a site, the company will use diagrams in order to
make understanding easier.
Describe two types of diagram that may be used by the company.

- Site map
- a diagram showing the way the different screens fit together
- shows the links between screens,
- Gantt chart/progress chart
- shows the different parts that need to be developed
- shows which parts of the development are independent and which are reliant on each other.
- Spider diagram
- to show interaction between the different elements of the solution
- and those parts which are independent of each other.
Reinforcement: 05-10 Years' relevant CIE Answers.
Section 2.1

http://sites.google.com/site/computing9691/
Page 3 of 3

- Flow diagram
- to show the order of producing the parts of the solution
- or to show the flow through the proposed site.
- (Up to 2 groups, up to 2 per group, max 4) [4]
Oct/NOV 2009. P11
Oct/NOV 2009. P12
Oct/NOV 2009. P13
May/June 2010. P
May/June 2010. P
May/June 2010. P
Oct/NOV 2010. P11
Oct/NOV 2010. P12
Oct/NOV 2010. P13