Specification points

Edexcel GCSE Computer Science 1CP2

92 points in 6 topics, with Edexcel's codes and titles.

Codes and titles are read by a script from Edexcel's published specification and have not been checked by a person. What each point covers is in the specification itself: Edexcel’s specification.

1 Computational thinking

1.1 Decomposition and abstraction
1.1.1 Benefits of decomposition and abstraction
1.1.2 Benefits of subprograms
1.2 Algorithms
1.2.1 Algorithms using sequence, selection and repetition
1.2.2 Algorithms using variables, constants and data structures
1.2.3 Algorithms using arithmetic, relational and logical operators
1.2.4 Trace tables and algorithm output
1.2.5 Types of program error
1.2.6 Standard sorting and searching algorithms
1.2.7 Evaluating an algorithm's fitness for purpose and efficiency
1.3 Truth tables
1.3.1 Logical operators and truth tables

2 Data

2.1 Binary
2.1.1 Binary representation of data and instructions
2.1.2 Unsigned integers and two's complement
2.1.3 Converting between denary and 8-bit binary
2.1.4 Binary addition and binary shifts
2.1.5 Overflow
2.1.6 Hexadecimal notation
2.2 Data representation
2.2.1 Character encoding with 7-bit ASCII
2.2.2 Representing bitmap images in binary
2.2.3 Representing analogue sound in binary
2.2.4 Limits of binary representation
2.3 Data storage and compression
2.3.1 Units of data storage
2.3.2 Data compression: lossless and lossy

3 Computers

3.1 Hardware
3.1.1 Von Neumann stored program concept
3.1.2 Secondary storage
3.1.3 Embedded systems
3.2 Software
3.2.1 Operating systems
3.2.2 Utility software
3.2.3 Robust software and identifying vulnerabilities
3.3 Programming languages
3.3.1 Low-level and high-level programming languages
3.3.2 Interpreters and compilers

4 Networks

4.1 Networks
4.1.1 Why computers are networked
4.1.2 Types of network: LAN and WAN
4.1.3 Structure of the internet
4.1.4 Wired and wireless connectivity
4.1.5 Network speeds and transmission time
4.1.6 Network and email protocols
4.1.7 The 4-layer TCP/IP model
4.1.8 Network topologies
4.2 Network security
4.2.1 Network vulnerabilities and protection methods

5 Issues and impact

5.1 Environmental
5.1.1 Environmental issues of digital devices
5.2 Ethical and legal
5.2.1 Ethical and legal issues of personal data
5.2.2 Ethical and legal issues of AI and robotics
5.2.3 Protecting intellectual property in computing
5.3 Cybersecurity
5.3.1 Malware and hacking threats
5.3.2 Protecting digital systems and data

6 Problem solving with programming

6.1 Develop code
6.1.1 Decomposition and abstraction in problem solving
6.1.2 Reading, writing and refining high-level programs
6.1.3 Converting algorithms into programs
6.1.4 Making programs readable
6.1.5 Finding and correcting program errors
6.1.6 Evaluating a program's fitness for purpose and efficiency
6.2 Constructs
6.2.1 Structural components of programs
6.2.2 Sequencing, selection, repetition and iteration in programs
6.3 Data types and structures
6.3.1 Primitive data types and data structures
6.3.2 Variables and constants in programs
6.3.3 String manipulation
6.4 Input/output
6.4.1 Handling user input
6.4.2 Reading and writing CSV text files
6.4.3 Validation
6.4.4 Authentication
6.5 Operators
6.5.1 Arithmetic operators in programs
6.5.2 Relational operators in programs
6.5.3 Logical operators in programs
6.6 Subprograms
6.6.1 Built-in, library and user-devised subprograms
6.6.2 Writing functions and procedures
6.6.3 Global and local variables