Higher computing science
My teacher tells my class that for questions which include the "using a recognised design technique phrase" that coding languages such as python can be used, does anyone know if this is true?
Reply 1
Hi, this is what is stated in common questions document by SQA.
If candidates are asked to design solutions, marks are awarded as long as the intention of the design is clear. If candidates write their response in pseudocode, or a hybrid of pseudocode and code, marks are awarded to the constructs in line with the marking instructions.
If a candidate provides their answer using a programming language (including SQA reference language), or a mix of pseudocode and code, marking still focuses on the constructs set out in the marking instructions.
I believe you can access the marks with Python but certain marks may be lost if you use predefined functions which aren't outlined in the SQA course specification i.e. using max(array) to find the max rather than writing out the standard algorithm. However, I would recommend writing in pseudocode, just to ensure you don't lose any marks. Due to the nature of Python, it is very similarly written to pseudocode so you shouldn't have any issues e.g. if found == True: would become if found = true then
If candidates are asked to design solutions, marks are awarded as long as the intention of the design is clear. If candidates write their response in pseudocode, or a hybrid of pseudocode and code, marks are awarded to the constructs in line with the marking instructions.
If a candidate provides their answer using a programming language (including SQA reference language), or a mix of pseudocode and code, marking still focuses on the constructs set out in the marking instructions.
I believe you can access the marks with Python but certain marks may be lost if you use predefined functions which aren't outlined in the SQA course specification i.e. using max(array) to find the max rather than writing out the standard algorithm. However, I would recommend writing in pseudocode, just to ensure you don't lose any marks. Due to the nature of Python, it is very similarly written to pseudocode so you shouldn't have any issues e.g. if found == True: would become if found = true then
(edited 1 year ago)
Reply 2
I agree with @LucaX877. While I'm not 100% familiar with how it's marked, I doubt you'll be able to pick up full marks as it is asking you to use a design technique and not code.
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