Character and string

Term

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Definition

A character is a single symbol; a string is a sequence of characters (text) such as a name.

Example: 'name = "Sam"' is a string; 'S' is a character.

Found in: syllabus, course specifications, 2025 HSC marking guidelines, school notes, past SDD papers.

Where you'll use it in the test

Syllabus area: Y11 Programming Fundamentals.

Question types it can appear in

Multiple choice: Pick the option that matches the definition or example.
Fill in the blanks: Choose this term to complete a statement or table.
Python: Write or complete it in the online Python tool.

Where it has appeared in the paper

Secure Software Architecture (Part A). Part letters follow each paper’s own layout.

How to use it

A model sentence

General advice, built from the definition and example above

“A character is a single symbol; a string is a sequence of characters (text) such as a name.” Then apply it: 'name = "Sam"' is a string; 'S' is a character.

In a short answer, give the definition in your own words first, then tie it to the situation in the question. Do not copy the example above unless it fits the scenario.

Official worked answer

2025 HSC Q19 (3 marks): Developing secure code (Python) (3 marks): official criteria and sample answer

Criteria

3: Correct code for the problem. 2: Partially correct code that includes a correct selection structure OR password creation. 1: Some understanding of the scenario and Python.

Sample answer

uName = input('What is your username?') password = input('What is your password?') passwordP1 = uName[:3] passwordP1= passwordP1 + '123' if passwordP1 == password: print ('Welcome!') else: print ('Incorrect password entered')

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Go deeper

Flashcard: Character and string in Programming Fundamentals (Year 11) · study that set
Memorise: Data structures
Full term page: every question, note and marking comment for Character and string

Check yourself

Explain “Character and string” in one sentence, give an example, and name a question type that could test it.

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