1.5 Software
Apply programming principles, software-development practices, translation concepts and program-construction techniques.
How to study WJEC GCSE Computer Science
Learn the computing principle, apply it to the named system or scenario, trace the data and control flow, and test the result against requirements.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Readable, maintainable, extensible and modular code; variables, constants, types and control structures
Exam cue: Identify the current WJEC unit, the command word and whether the task asks for knowledge, application or computational analysis.
Concept 2
Requirements, design, implementation, testing, documentation, review and maintenance
Exam cue: Relate every development or translation choice to the program's users, maintainability, execution needs and evidence from testing.
Concept 3
High- and low-level languages, assemblers, compilers, interpreters, translation stages and error types
Exam cue: Use precise terminology, trace inputs and state changes, and test the answer against the data, scenario or program behaviour.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Assuming an interpreter produces a permanent executable or that successful translation proves the program is logically correct.
Guardrail: Avoid generic descriptions, unchecked traces and cross-board assumptions; make every answer depend on the named data, system, algorithm or scenario.
Importing the legacy WJEC structure, a different board's content or a Foundation/Higher tier assumption.
Guardrail: Use qualification code 3460QS or 3460CS and the current two-unit untiered structure; do not import a legacy or cross-board route.
Giving a generic description without applying it to the named system, data set, algorithm or pre-release scenario.
Guardrail: Practice cannot replace the annual live brief, specified Python environment, clean-copy rule, restricted examination files or Surpass upload process.
Memory anchors
Maintainability
How easily software can be understood, corrected, adapted and extended.
Modularity
Organising a program into self-contained components with clear purposes and interfaces.
Compiler
A translator that converts a whole source program and reports translation errors before execution.
Interpreter
A translator that translates and executes source instructions as the program runs.
Assembler
A translator that converts assembly-language instructions into machine code.
Syntax, logic and runtime errors
Syntax breaks language rules; logic gives an incorrect result; runtime fails during execution.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Why should variable names describe their purpose?
When should a constant be used?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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