A-level Computing 2009/CIE/Computer systems, communications and software/Data: its representation, structure and management


 * (a) explain the use of codes to represent a character set (e.g. ASCII and Unicode)
 * (b) explain the representation of different data types: integer, Boolean, date/time, currency and character
 * (c) express positive integers in binary form
 * (i) select appropriate data types for a given problem and explain the advantages and disadvantages of alternative choices

* /Data types/


 * (d) understand the structure of arrays (one- and two-dimensional), including initialising arrays, reading data into arrays and performing a simple serial search on an array
 * (e) describe the LIFO and FIFO features of stacks and queues
 * (f) explain how data is stored in files in the form of fixed-length records comprising items in fields
 * (i) select appropriate data structures for a given problem and explain the advantages and disadvantages of alternative choices

* /Data structures/


 * (g) define and explain the difference between serial, sequential, indexed sequential and random access

to data, using examples and stating their comparative advantages and disadvantages
 * (h) describe how serial, sequential and random organisation of files may be implemented using indexes

and hashing as appropriate
 * (j) explain the procedures involved in backing up data and archiving, including the difference between data that is backed up and data that is archived

* /Data management/