Flashcards for Code reading questions

Pseudocode Term Programming Fundamentals (Year 11)

Structured, language-independent English-like code: keywords in capitals (IF, ELSE, WHILE, ENDWHILE, FOR, NEXT, SET, GET, DISPLAY), paired structures and consistent indentation.

Example: Always write a mainline plus subroutines, use indentation and close every structure (ENDIF, ENDWHILE).

Desk checking Term Programming Fundamentals (Year 11)

Manually stepping through an algorithm with sample data and recording variable values (a trace table) to check it works before coding.

Example: A trace table has a column for each variable and a row for each step.

Inputs, outputs and purpose of an algorithm Term Programming Fundamentals (Year 11)

When analysing an algorithm, identify the data it takes in (inputs), the results it produces (outputs), what it is designed to do (purpose) and how it connects to other subroutines.

Example: 'Inputs: array of marks. Output: the average. Purpose: calculate the class mean.'

Check this one: Not found word-for-word in the supplied syllabus, specifications, marking guidelines or notes; the definition is standard computing knowledge, so check it against your class notes.

Linear search Term Programming Fundamentals (Year 11)

A search that checks each item in order until the target is found or the list ends. Works on unsorted data; slow for large lists.

Example: 'FOR i = 0 TO length-1: IF list[i] == target THEN found.'

Check this one: Not named in the syllabus; it appears in past questions and the school notes.

Binary search Term Programming Fundamentals (Year 11)

A search on a SORTED list that checks the middle item and discards half the list each time (a divide and conquer method).

Example: 'Binary search needs sorted data; each step halves the search space.'

Check this one: Not named in the syllabus; it appears in past SDD questions.

Recursion Term Programming Fundamentals (Year 11)

A subroutine that calls itself on a smaller version of the problem until it reaches a base case that stops it.

Example: 'Factorial: n * factorial(n-1) with base case n = 0.'

Check this one: Not named in the 2022 syllabus text; included because of the functional paradigm and past SDD coding questions.

Array Term Programming Fundamentals (Year 11)

A data structure holding a fixed number of items of the same type, accessed by index; can be single or multi-dimensional (rows and columns).

Example: 'marks[0]' is the first item.

Multi-dimensional array Term Programming Fundamentals (Year 11)

An array of arrays, used for grids or tables and accessed by row and column index, such as grid[row][col].

Example: 'grid[2][3]' is row 2, column 3.

List Term Programming Fundamentals (Year 11)

An ordered, changeable collection of items (Python list) that can grow and shrink and can hold mixed types.

Example: 'scores = [3, 5]; scores.append(8)'

Stack Term Programming Fundamentals (Year 11)

A last-in, first-out (LIFO) structure where items are added (push) and removed (pop) at the top.

Example: 'Undo uses a stack.'

Logic error Term Programming Fundamentals (Year 11)

The program runs but gives the wrong result because the algorithm is wrong, for example using > instead of >=. 2025 markers said students confused these with syntax errors.

Example: 'Average = total / 2 instead of total / count.'

Object Term The Object-Oriented Paradigm (Year 11)

A single instance of a class with its own attribute values and the ability to run the class's methods.

Example: 's1 = Student("Ava")' creates an object.

Constructor (__init__) Term The Object-Oriented Paradigm (Year 11)

A special method that runs when an object is created and sets its starting attribute values (in Python it is __init__).

Example: 'def __init__(self, name): self.name = name'

Check this one: The syllabus says implement OOP code but does not name constructors; Python classes need __init__ so it is a safe code-pattern card.

Polymorphism Term The Object-Oriented Paradigm (Year 11)

Different classes provide their own version of the same method name, so one call behaves differently depending on the object.

Example: 'speak() prints Woof for Dog and Meow for Cat.'

Method overriding Term The Object-Oriented Paradigm (Year 11)

A subclass supplies its own version of a method it inherited, replacing the parent's version; the way polymorphism is coded.

Example: 'Cat.speak() overrides Animal.speak().'

Check this one: Not named in the syllabus; it is how polymorphism is shown in Python code.

Message passing Term The Object-Oriented Paradigm (Year 11)

Objects communicate by calling each other's methods (sending a message with parameters and receiving a return value).

Example: 'order.addItem(item) sends the message addItem to the order object.'

Control algorithm pattern (line follower) Code pattern Programming Mechatronics (Year 11)

A closed-loop loop: WHILE the robot is running, read the sensor, IF the sensor sees dark THEN turn one way ELSE turn the other, ENDIF, ENDWHILE.

Example: 'WHILE on: read light; IF dark THEN turn left ELSE turn right.'

Check this one: Not found word-for-word in the supplied syllabus, specifications, marking guidelines or notes; the definition is standard computing knowledge, so check it against your class notes.

SQL injection Term Secure Software Architecture (Year 12)

An attack where malicious SQL is inserted through input so it runs on the database; stopped by parameterised queries and validation.

Example: "' OR 1=1 --" typed into a login box.

Check this one: The course specification names XSS and defensive input handling; SQL injection is the standard example the school notes use.

Cascading style sheets (CSS) Term Programming for the Web (Year 12)

Style rules that control the appearance of web pages, kept separate from HTML. Benefits: consistent appearance, flexibility across browsers and display devices, and easier maintenance.

Example: 'One CSS file changes the font on every page.'

CSS selectors (id v class) Code pattern Programming for the Web (Year 12)

A class selector (.name) styles many elements; an id selector (#name) styles one unique element.

Example: '.button { color: white } styles every element with class button.'

Shell commands (mkdir, cd, touch, cp, rm, cat, grep) Code pattern Programming for the Web (Year 12)

Command line tools used in scripts: mkdir makes a directory, cd changes directory, touch creates a file, cp copies, rm removes, cat shows file contents, grep searches a text file for a pattern.

Example: 'grep "error" log.txt searches log.txt.'

SQL SELECT Code pattern Programming for the Web (Year 12)

Chooses the fields (columns) to return from a table: SELECT name, mark FROM students; SELECT * returns all columns.

Example: 'SELECT FirstName FROM Customer;'

SQL WHERE Code pattern Programming for the Web (Year 12)

Filters rows using conditions (=, <>, >, <, AND, OR). Text values need quotes. 2025 marker note: use quotes around searched text and combine conditions with AND or OR.

Example: "WHERE Suburb = 'Parramatta' AND Age > 18"

SQL ORDER BY Code pattern Programming for the Web (Year 12)

Sorts results by a field, ascending (ASC, the default) or descending (DESC).

Example: 'ORDER BY mark DESC'

SQL GROUP BY Code pattern Programming for the Web (Year 12)

Groups rows that share a value so aggregate functions (COUNT, SUM, AVG, MIN, MAX) can be applied to each group.

Example: 'SELECT class, COUNT(*) FROM students GROUP BY class;'

SQL aggregate functions (COUNT, SUM, AVG) Code pattern Programming for the Web (Year 12)

Functions that calculate one value from many rows: COUNT (number), SUM (total), AVG (mean), MIN and MAX.

Example: 'SELECT AVG(mark) FROM results;'

SQL alias (AS) Code pattern Programming for the Web (Year 12)

Gives a table or column a temporary name to make queries shorter and clearer: SELECT s.name AS student FROM Student AS s.

Example: 'FROM Student AS s JOIN Class AS c'

Check this one: Not found word-for-word in the supplied syllabus, specifications, marking guidelines or notes; the definition is standard computing knowledge, so check it against your class notes.

OOP for ML programming Code pattern Software Automation (Year 12)

ML models are written as classes: attributes hold data and weights, methods train, predict and evaluate.

Example: 'model = LinearRegression(); model.fit(x, y); model.predict([[5]])'

Neural network code (predict) Code pattern Software Automation (Year 12)

Create the model object, train (fit) on training data, then call predict on new data to make predictions.

Example: 'net.fit(X, y); net.predict(new)'

Flowchart Diagram Diagrams and Modelling Tools (Years 11 and 12)

Represents an algorithm with standard symbols connected by lines with arrowheads, read top to bottom and left to right, using only the standard control structures. Label arrows leaving a decision (Yes or No).

Example: 'Diamond: age >= 18? Yes: Display Adult.'

Pseudocode keywords Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

Keywords are in capitals; structural elements come in pairs (BEGIN/END, IF/ENDIF, WHILE/ENDWHILE); indent to show control structures.

Example: 'IF mark >= 50 THEN ... ENDIF'

Sequence Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

Steps executed one after another in the order written.

Example: 'GET a; GET b; total = a + b'

Binary selection (IF THEN ELSE) Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

IF condition THEN process ELSE other process ENDIF: one of two paths is taken.

Example: 'IF age >= 18 THEN DISPLAY "Adult" ELSE DISPLAY "Minor" ENDIF'

Multi-way selection (CASEWHERE) Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

CASEWHERE expression evaluates to choice a: ... OTHERWISE: default END CASE; only one process runs.

Example: 'CASEWHERE grade evaluates to "A": ... OTHERWISE: ...'

Nested IF Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

An IF inside the ELSE of another IF to test several conditions where only one process runs.

Example: 'IF a THEN ... ELSE IF b THEN ... ELSE ... ENDIF ENDIF'

WHILE loop (pre-test) Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

WHILE condition is true ... ENDWHILE: the condition is tested before each loop, so the body may never run.

Example: 'WHILE count < 5 ... ENDWHILE'

REPEAT UNTIL loop (post-test) Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

REPEAT ... UNTIL condition is true: the body runs at least once, then the condition is tested.

Example: 'REPEAT GET guess UNTIL guess = answer'

FOR / NEXT loop (counted) Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

FOR variable = start TO finish STEP increment ... NEXT variable; used when the number of repeats is known.

Example: 'FOR i = 1 TO 5 ... NEXT i'

Check this one: Not found word-for-word in the supplied syllabus, specifications, marking guidelines or notes; the definition is standard computing knowledge, so check it against your class notes.

Subroutine and function (pseudocode) Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

BEGIN name (parameters) ... END name. A function returns a single value with RETURN.

Example: 'BEGIN Add (x, y) total = x + y RETURN total END Add'

Python input and output Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

input() reads text from the user as a string; print() displays output; convert with int() or float().

Example: 'age = int(input("Age: "))'

Python selection (if elif else) Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

if condition: ... elif condition: ... else: ...; indentation matters (Q19 marker note: indentation).

Example: 'if mark >= 50: print("Pass") else: print("Fail")'

Python for loop and range Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

for i in range(start, stop): repeats; stop is exclusive; also loops over lists and strings.

Example: 'for i in range(1, 6): print(i)'

Python while loop Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

while condition: ... repeats while True; make sure the condition changes.

Example: 'while guess != answer: guess = int(input())'

Python strings and slicing Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

Strings are sequences: len(s), s[0], s[-1], s[1:4], s.upper(), s.lower(), s.split(), s.strip(), and ord()/chr() for character codes.

Example: 'word[0] is the first letter; word[-1] is the last.'

Python lists Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

A list stores ordered items: append(), remove(), len(), sorting with sort(), looping, and 2D lists as a list of lists.

Example: 'grid = [[0]*3 for _ in range(3)]'

Python 2D list (grid) Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

A list of lists addressed as grid[row][column]; loop with nested for loops.

Example: 'grid[1][2] = 5'

Python random numbers Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

import random then random.randint(a, b) gives a whole number a to b inclusive; use a set or a check to avoid repeats.

Example: 'n = random.randint(1, 50)'

Check this one: Library use is allowed under 'modules and libraries'; random.randint is a standard Python function.

Python functions Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

def name(parameters): ... return value. Functions must be defined before they are called (2025 Q19 marker note: call functions after definition).

Example: 'def area(w, h): return w * h'

Global and local variables Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

A local variable exists only inside its function; a global variable is declared outside and can be used throughout (use the global keyword to change it inside a function).

Example: 'count = 0 (global); def add(): global count'

Python file handling Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

open(filename, mode) with modes r (read), w (write, overwrites), a (append); use with to close the file automatically; read(), readline(), write().

Example: 'with open("data.txt") as f: lines = f.readlines()'

Python modules and libraries Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

import a module to use its functions: import random, import math, from sklearn.linear_model import LinearRegression.

Example: 'import math'

Python classes and objects Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

class Name: with __init__(self, ...) to set attributes; methods have self; create objects with Name(...); inheritance with class Child(Parent):.

Example: 'class Dog(Animal): def speak(self): return "Woof"'

Python try / except Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

try: risky code except ValueError: handle the error; keeps the program running with a helpful message.

Example: 'except ValueError: print("Numbers only")'

Python sqlite3 parameterised query Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

Use ? placeholders and pass values separately, never join user text into the SQL string, to stop SQL injection.

Example: 'cur.execute("SELECT * FROM user WHERE name = ?", (name,))'

Check this one: Parameterised queries are standard secure practice (defensive input handling); the syllabus does not name sqlite3.

Python file and ML code reading (scikit-learn) Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

Know how to read: import, create the model, fit (train), predict.

Example: 'model.fit(x, y); model.predict([[4]])'

SQL statement structure Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

SELECT fields FROM table WHERE criteria GROUP BY field ORDER BY field ASC or DESC; keyword AS renames a field for display.

Example: 'SELECT Name FROM Games WHERE Cost > 20 ORDER BY Name ASC'

SQL relational and logical operators Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

Relational operators: CONTAINS, DOES NOT CONTAIN, EQUALS, NOT EQUAL TO, GREATER THAN (OR EQUAL TO), LESS THAN (OR EQUAL TO). Logical operators: AND, OR, NOT. Put text and dates in quotes.

Example: "WHERE Name CONTAINS 'war' AND Cost < 50"

SQL calculated aggregate with GROUP BY Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

SELECT Developer, SUM(Cost) AS Totalcost FROM Games GROUP BY Developer ORDER BY Developer DESC.

Example: 'SUM (Games.cost) AS Totalcost'

CSS rule syntax Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

selector { property: value; } with comments in /* */. h1 targets an element, #welcome targets an id, .red-text targets a class.

Example: '.red-text { color: red; }'

XSS JavaScript fragment reading Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

Be able to read a short JavaScript fragment and spot where untrusted input is inserted into a page without sanitising.

Example: 'element.innerHTML = userInput is unsafe.'

Shell script pattern Code pattern Code Patterns: Pseudocode, Python, SQL, CSS (Years 11 and 12)

A script is a text file of commands run in order, e.g. mkdir site, cd site, touch index.html, cp, rm, cat, grep.

Example: 'mkdir site && cd site && touch index.html'

Interpret Command word Command Words and Question-type Skills

Draw meaning from.

Example: 'Interpret the code fragment.'