ICS (Intermediate in Computer Science) Computer Science (Part II) Syllabus

Computer Science (Part II) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Computer Science (Part II) in ICS (Intermediate in Computer Science), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Introduction to Programming

   4 topics

   • Programming Languages and Levels
   • Translators
   • Program Development Cycle
   • Structured Programming Concepts
2. 2

   Beginning Problem Solving

   4 topics

   • Problem Analysis and Definition
   • Algorithms
   • Flowcharts
   • Pseudocode
3. 3

   Introduction to C

   5 topics

   • Structure of a C/C++ Program
   • Data Types and Constants
   • Variables and Identifiers
   • Input and Output Statements
   • Operators and Expressions
4. 4

   Input / Output

   3 topics

   • Stream Input and Output
   • Formatted Output
   • Escape Sequences and Manipulators
5. 5

   Decision Constructs

   4 topics

   • Relational and Logical Operators
   • The if and if-else Statements
   • Nested if and else-if Ladder
   • The switch Statement
6. 6

   Loop Constructs

   5 topics

   • The while Loop
   • The do-while Loop
   • The for Loop
   • Nested Loops
   • break and continue Statements
7. 7

   Functions

   4 topics

   • Built-in and User-Defined Functions
   • Function Declaration and Definition
   • Parameters and Return Values
   • Scope of Variables
8. 8

   Arrays

   4 topics

   • Single Dimensional Arrays
   • Array Operations and Traversal
   • Two Dimensional Arrays
   • Arrays and Functions
9. 9

   Pointers

   4 topics

   • Pointer Variables and the Address Operator
   • Pointers and Arrays
   • Pointers and Functions
   • Dynamic Memory Allocation
10. 10

    File Handling

    4 topics

    • File Streams and Operations
    • Reading from and Writing to Files
    • Text and Binary Files
    • Sequential File Access
11. 11

    Data Structures and Algorithms

    4 topics

    • Introduction to Data Structures
    • Stacks and Queues
    • Searching Algorithms
    • Sorting Algorithms
12. 12

    Database Management Systems

    4 topics

    • Concepts of Database and DBMS
    • Database Models
    • Tables, Records and Fields
    • Queries and Reports

Computer Science (Part II) flashcards for ICS (Intermediate in Computer Science)

18 of 50 cards from the Computer Science (Part II) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is a programming language?

   A set of words, symbols, and codes (with grammar rules) used to write computer programs that instruct a computer to perform tasks.

2. Name the two broad levels of programming languages.

   Low-level languages and high-level languages.

3. What are the two types of low-level languages?

   Machine language and assembly language.

4. What is machine language?

   The only language a computer understands directly, written in binary (0s and 1s); it is machine-dependent and the first-generation language.

5. What is assembly language and what does it use instead of binary?

   A low-level language that uses symbolic codes called mnemonics (e.g., ADD, SUB, MOV) instead of binary; it is the second-generation language.

6. What is a mnemonic in assembly language?

   A short, easy-to-remember symbolic abbreviation that represents a machine operation (e.g., ADD for addition, MOV for move).

7. What is a high-level language?

   A machine-independent, English-like programming language (e.g., C, C++, Java) that is easy to write, read, and debug, and must be translated before execution.

8. Give two advantages of high-level languages over low-level languages.

   They are machine-independent (portable) and easier to learn, write, read, and debug (English-like syntax).

9. What is a translator in programming?

   A system software that converts a program written in one language (usually source code) into machine language (object code).

10. Name the three main types of language translators.

    Assembler, compiler, and interpreter.

11. What does an assembler do?

    It translates an assembly-language program into machine language (object code).

12. What does a compiler do?

    It translates the entire high-level source program into machine code (object code) at once, before execution.

13. What does an interpreter do?

    It translates and executes a high-level program one statement (line) at a time.

14. State one key difference between a compiler and an interpreter.

    A compiler translates the whole program at once and is faster in execution; an interpreter translates line by line and is slower but easier for debugging.

15. What is source code?

    The program written by a programmer in a high-level or assembly language before translation.

16. What is object code?

    The machine-language code produced by a translator (compiler/assembler) from the source code.

17. What is the Program Development Cycle?

    The step-by-step process used to develop a program: analyze the problem, design the algorithm, code, compile/test, debug, and document/maintain.

18. List the main steps of the program development cycle in order.

    1) Problem analysis/definition, 2) Algorithm design, 3) Coding, 4) Compilation, 5) Testing and debugging, 6) Documentation and maintenance.

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