Learning objective
Data types: Understand the concept of a data type. Understand and use the following appropriately: • integer • real/float • Boolean • character • string • date/time • pointer/reference • records (or equivalent) • arrays (or equivalent). Variables declared as a pointer or reference data type are used as stores for memory addresses of objects created at runtime, ie dynamically. Not all languages support explicit pointer types, but students should have an opportunity to understand this data type. Define and use user-defined data types based on language-defined (built-in) data types.
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Topic
Programming
Subtopic
Data types
Aqa A Level Computer ScienceFundamentals of programming
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Quick explanation
Data types: Understand the concept of a data type. Understand and use the following appropriately: • integer • real/float • Boolean • character • string • date/time • pointer/reference • records (or equivalent) • arrays (or equivalent). Variables declared as a pointer or reference data type are used as stores for memory addresses of objects created at runtime, ie dynamically. Not all languages support explicit pointer types, but students should have an opportunity to understand this data type. Define and use user-defined data types based on language-defined (built-in) data types
- This point belongs to Programming, especially Data types.
- You need to be able to data types: Understand the concept of a data type. Understand and use the following appropriately: • integer • real/float • Boolean • character • string • date/time • pointer/reference • records (or equivalent) • arrays (or equivalent). Variables declared as a pointer or reference data type are used as stores for memory addresses of objects created at runtime, ie dynamically. Not all languages support explicit pointer types, but students should have an opportunity to understand this data type. Define and use user-defined data types based on language-defined (built-in) data types.
- Use the linked flashcards and practice questions to check recall, then practise applying the idea in an exam-style answer.
Why it matters
This objective helps connect Data types to exam-style questions, flashcards, and revision notes for Programming.
Quick student answer
Which data type is most appropriate for storing whether a condition is true or false?
Direct answer
Boolean
Key terms
- Record: A data type that groups related fields together; the fields may use different data types.
- Array: An organised collection of values that provides a way to store multiple related items, commonly using elements of the same data type.
Common trap
Confusing a character with a string: A character stores one character, whereas a string stores a sequence of characters.
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Related learning objectives
- Programming concepts: Use, understand and know how the following statement types can be combined in programs: • variable declaration • constant declaration • assignment • iteration • selection • subroutine (procedure/function). The three combining principles (sequence, iteration/repetition and selection/choice) are basic to all imperative programming languages. Use definite and indefinite iteration, including indefinite iteration with the condition(s) at the start or the end of the iterative structure. A theoretical understanding of condition(s) at either end of an iterative structure is required, regardless of whether they are supported by the language being used. Use nested selection and nested iteration structures. Use meaningful identifier names and know why it is important to use them.
Programming concepts
- Arithmetic operations in a programming language: Be familiar with and be able to use: • addition • subtraction • multiplication • real/float division • integer division, including remainders • exponentiation • rounding • truncation. 42
Arithmetic operations in a programming language
- Relational operations in a programming language: Be familiar with and be able to use: • equal to • not equal to • less than • greater than • less than or equal to • greater than or equal to.
Relational operations in a programming language
- Boolean operations in a programming language: Be familiar with and be able to use: • NOT • AND • OR • XOR.
Boolean operations in a programming language
- Constants and variables in a programming language: Be able to explain the differences between a variable and a constant. Be able to explain the advantages of using named constants.
Constants and variables in a programming language