Programming Fundamentals

Year 1 / ASYear 2 / A-Level All Boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, CCEA) AQA

A-Level Computer Science revision: Programming Fundamentals. Learning objectives, key points, worked examples and practice questions across AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC and CCEA.

Exam Board:

📌 Key Points

Key Fact: Data types: int, float, bool, char, string; type casting; constants vs variables

Key Fact: Selection: if/elif/else, switch/case (match in Python 3.10+); nested conditions

Key Fact: Iteration: for (definite), while (indefinite), do-while (at least once); break/continue

Key Fact: Functions: definition, call, parameters (positional, keyword, default), return, recursion

Key Fact: Scope: local, global, nonlocal; shadowing; modules and imports

Key Fact: String: len, index, slice, split, join, replace, format, f-strings, regex basics

Key Fact: File: open/close, read/write modes, with statement, try/except/else/finally

🎯 Learning Objectives

Use variables, constants, and data types (integer, real, boolean, character, string)
Implement control structures: sequence, selection (if/else, switch), iteration (for, while, do-while)
Design and use functions/procedures: parameters (value/reference), return values, scope
Handle input/output: file I/O, exceptions, validation
Apply string manipulation: concatenation, slicing, searching, formatting
Use random number generation and libraries

💡 Worked Example

Exam-Style Question

Question: Write a function that reads a file of integers and returns the median

Model Answer:

def median_from_file(filename): with open(filename) as f: nums = sorted(int(line.strip()) for line in f if line.strip()) n = len(nums) if n == 0: return None mid = n // 2 return nums[mid] if n % 2 else (nums[mid-1] + nums[mid]) / 2

❓ Practice Questions

Model answers are being added progressively - questions marked ✗ don't have one yet. Cross-check with your teacher or the official mark scheme.

Questions:

Write a program that validates email format using regex✗ answer coming soon
Implement a recursive factorial function✗ answer coming soon
Create a menu-driven calculator with functions✗ answer coming soon
Write a function to count word frequencies in a text file✗ answer coming soon
Handle division by zero with try/except✗ answer coming soon

🎬 Video Resources

Programming Fundamentals - Overview -- YouTube Search
Programming Fundamentals - Exam Questions -- YouTube Search

📄 Past Papers & Exam Resources

🔗 Further Reading & Resources

Physics & Maths Tutor - Programming Fundamentals -- Free notes, worksheets, and past paper questions by topic
Dr Frost Maths - Programming Fundamentals -- Free resources, slides, and interactive questions
BBC Bitesize - Programming Fundamentals -- BBC Bitesize revision resources

📚 Lesson Plan (50 minutes)

Starter (5 min): Recall prior knowledge of programming fundamentals with quick questions.
Teaching (15 min): Work through each of the learning objectives, explaining principles step by step.
Key points review (5 min): Revisit the key points together, confirming understanding.
Worked example (10 min): Model the example question: Write a function that reads a file of integers and returns the median. Solution: def median_from_file(filename): with open(filename) as f: nums = sorted(int(line.strip()) for line in f if line.strip()) n = len(nums) if n == 0: return None mid = n // 2 return nums[mid] if n % 2 else (nums[mid-1] + nums[mid]) / 2
Practice (10 min): Students attempt the practice questions independently; circulate and support.
Plenary (5 min): Review answers and address misconceptions.

🏠 Homework

Write a program that validates email format using regex
Implement a recursive factorial function
Create a menu-driven calculator with functions
Write a function to count word frequencies in a text file
Handle division by zero with try/except

🧾 Assessment

Check practice answers against the model answer; use the built-in practice questions as formative assessment.

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