Flashcards for Python questions

Debugging output statements Term Programming Fundamentals (Year 11)

Print statements added to show that a section was reached or the value of a variable.

Example: 'print("total =", total)'

Where you would use it in the test

Short answer: Name one software debugging tool
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.
Fill in the blanks: Fill in the blanks or dropdown: choose this term to complete a statement or table.

Related past questions: 2025 HSC Q15b (3 marks): Testing and debugging

Class Term The Object-Oriented Paradigm (Year 11)

A blueprint or template that defines the attributes and methods shared by all objects of one kind.

Example: 'class Student:' defines the template; each student is an object.

Where you would use it in the test

Drawing: class diagram box (name, attributes, methods)
Python: class definition
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Fill in the blanks: Fill in the blanks or dropdown: choose this term to complete a statement or table.

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.

Where you would use it in the test

Python: create an object
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Fill in the blanks: Fill in the blanks or dropdown: choose this term to complete a statement or table.
Code reading: Code or algorithm reading: interpret a fragment and state its output or purpose.

Related past questions: 2025 HSC Q22 (3 marks): Modelling tools

Attribute Term The Object-Oriented Paradigm (Year 11)

A variable that belongs to an object and stores its data or state (name, age, balance).

Example: 'self.balance = 0' stores an attribute.

Where you would use it in the test

Drawing: middle section of the class box
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Fill in the blanks: Fill in the blanks or dropdown: choose this term to complete a statement or table.

Method Term The Object-Oriented Paradigm (Year 11)

A subroutine that belongs to a class and defines what its objects can do (deposit, display, calculate).

Example: 'def deposit(self, amount):' is a method.

Where you would use it in the test

Drawing: bottom section of the class box
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Fill in the blanks: Fill in the blanks or dropdown: choose this term to complete a statement or table.

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'

Where you would use it in the test

Python: Write a class with __init__
Code reading: Code or algorithm reading: interpret a fragment and state its output or purpose.
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.

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.

Inheritance Term The Object-Oriented Paradigm (Year 11)

A subclass (child) automatically gets the attributes and methods of a superclass (parent) and can add or change its own, giving code reuse. It models an 'is-a' relationship.

Example: 'Student inherits name and age from Person; the arrow points from Student to Person.'

Where you would use it in the test

Drawing: inheritance arrow on a class diagram
Python: class Child(Parent)
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Short answer: Short answer (2 to 4 marks): define, outline or explain it and tie it to the scenario.

Superclass and subclass Term The Object-Oriented Paradigm (Year 11)

A superclass is the parent class that supplies shared features; a subclass is a child class that inherits them and adds its own.

Example: 'Dog is a subclass of Animal.'

Where you would use it in the test

Drawing: class diagram
Python: class Child(Parent)
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Fill in the blanks: Fill in the blanks or dropdown: choose this term to complete a statement or table.

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.'

Where you would use it in the test

Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Python: override a method
Code reading: Code or algorithm reading: interpret a fragment and state its output or purpose.
Short answer: Short answer (2 to 4 marks): define, outline or explain it and tie it to the scenario.

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().'

Where you would use it in the test

Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.
Code reading: Code or algorithm reading: interpret a fragment and state its output or purpose.
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.

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

Code commenting Term The Object-Oriented Paradigm (Year 11)

Short explanations in the code that say what it does and why, so other developers and your future self can understand and maintain it.

Example: '# calculate GST for each item'

Where you would use it in the test

Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Multi-select: Multi-select: you tick every correct option, so know all its features or goals.
Short answer: Short answer (2 to 4 marks): define, outline or explain it and tie it to the scenario.
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.

Related past questions: Sample exam Q4 (1 mark): Collaboration

Clear and uncluttered mainline Term The Object-Oriented Paradigm (Year 11)

A mainline that only calls well-named subroutines or methods in order, so the overall flow is easy to follow.

Example: Keep the mainline to a few calls; put detail in subroutines.

Where you would use it in the test

Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Multi-select: Multi-select: you tick every correct option, so know all its features or goals.
Pseudocode: Pseudocode question: use it correctly in the exam pseudocode editor.
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.

One logical task per subroutine Term The Object-Oriented Paradigm (Year 11)

Each subroutine does a single clear job, which makes it reusable, testable and easier to fix.

Example: 'calculateTotal() only calculates; displayTotal() only displays.'

Where you would use it in the test

Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Short answer: Short answer (2 to 4 marks): define, outline or explain it and tie it to the scenario.
Pseudocode: Pseudocode question: use it correctly in the exam pseudocode editor.
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.

Defensive data input handling Term Secure Software Architecture (Year 12)

Writing code that assumes input may be wrong or hostile and handles it safely using input validation, sanitisation and error handling.

Example: 'Reject non-numeric age, then ask again.'

Where you would use it in the test

Short answer: Explain defensive data input handling (sample Q18a)
Python: Write an input validation function
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.

Memorise: Defensive data input handling: validation, sanitisation, error handling

Input validation Term Secure Software Architecture (Year 12)

Checking that input meets rules (type, range, length, format, presence) before it is used.

Example: 'if not age.isdigit(): reject'

Where you would use it in the test

Python: Python validation function
Short answer: Short answer (2 to 4 marks): define, outline or explain it and tie it to the scenario.
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Fill in the blanks: Fill in the blanks or dropdown: choose this term to complete a statement or table.

Memorise: Defensive data input handling: validation, sanitisation, error handling

Error handling Term Secure Software Architecture (Year 12)

Detecting and managing problems (try and except in Python) so the program fails safely, shows a generic message and does not leak internal details.

Example: 'try: int(x) except ValueError: print("Enter a number")'

Where you would use it in the test

Python: try / except
Short answer: Short answer (2 to 4 marks): define, outline or explain it and tie it to the scenario.
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.

Memorise: Defensive data input handling: validation, sanitisation, error handling

Exception management Term Secure Software Architecture (Year 12)

Handling runtime exceptions (try and except) so a failure is caught, logged and recovered from instead of crashing the program.

Example: 'Catch FileNotFoundError and show a message.'

Where you would use it in the test

Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.
Short answer: Short answer (2 to 4 marks): define, outline or explain it and tie it to the scenario.
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.

Memorise: Defensive data input handling: validation, sanitisation, error handling

Neural network Term Software Automation (Year 12)

A model made of connected layers of nodes (neurons): an input layer, one or more hidden layers and an output layer; connection weights are adjusted during training.

Example: 2025 Q25: a neural network is one technique within AI.

Where you would use it in the test

Short answer: Distinguish a neural network from AI (2025 Q25)
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.

Memorise: Decision trees

Linear regression Term Software Automation (Year 12)

Fits a straight line through data to predict a numeric value from one or more inputs.

Example: 'Predict house price from floor area.'

Where you would use it in the test

Short answer: Compare linear regression and KNN (sample Q23b)
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.

Memorise: Decision trees

Polynomial regression Term Software Automation (Year 12)

Fits a curve (a polynomial) to data where the relationship is not a straight line, to predict a numeric value.

Example: 'Predict plant growth that speeds up then slows down.'

Where you would use it in the test

Short answer: Short answer (2 to 4 marks): define, outline or explain it and tie it to the scenario.
Multiple choice: Multiple choice: pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.

Memorise: Decision trees

Logistic regression Term Software Automation (Year 12)

Predicts the probability of a category (yes or no) and so is used for classification, not for predicting a number.

Example: 'Predict whether an email is spam.'

Where you would use it in the test

Multiple choice: 2025 Q12: true or false statements
Short answer: Short answer (2 to 4 marks): define, outline or explain it and tie it to the scenario.
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.

Related past questions: 2025 HSC Q12 (2 marks): Logistic regression

Memorise: Decision trees

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]])'

Where you would use it in the test

Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.
Code reading: Code or algorithm reading: interpret a fragment and state its output or purpose.
Short answer: Short answer (2 to 4 marks): define, outline or explain it and tie it to the scenario.

Memorise: Decision trees

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)'

Where you would use it in the test

Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.
Code reading: Code or algorithm reading: interpret a fragment and state its output or purpose.

Memorise: Decision trees

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'

Where you would use it in the test

Pseudocode: Pseudocode question: use it correctly in the exam pseudocode editor.
Code reading: Code or algorithm reading: interpret a fragment and state its output or purpose.
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.

Related past questions: 2025 HSC Q17 (3 marks): Algorithm design

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'

Where you would use it in the test

Pseudocode: Pseudocode question: use it correctly in the exam pseudocode editor.
Code reading: Code or algorithm reading: interpret a fragment and state its output or purpose.
Python: Python while

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'

Where you would use it in the test

Pseudocode: Pseudocode question: use it correctly in the exam pseudocode editor.
Code reading: Code or algorithm reading: interpret a fragment and state its output or purpose.
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.

Related past questions: 2025 HSC Q17 (3 marks): Algorithm design

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'

Where you would use it in the test

Pseudocode: Pseudocode question: use it correctly in the exam pseudocode editor.
Code reading: Code or algorithm reading: interpret a fragment and state its output or purpose.
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.

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

Set total to 0, loop through every item adding it to the total, then display the total (initialise, loop, accumulate, output).

Example: 'total = 0; FOR each item: total = total + item'

Where you would use it in the test

Pseudocode: Write algorithm (2025 Q17)
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.

Related past questions: 2025 HSC Q17 (3 marks): Algorithm design

Check this one: A coding pattern from the exam solution style, not a syllabus term.

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

Check each item in order until found or the end is reached; set a Found flag, loop through and stop on a match.

Example: 'found = False; for i in list: if i == target: found = True'

Where you would use it in the test

Pseudocode: Linear search (familiarisation Q8)
Python: Python question: write or complete it in the online Python tool.