1. A supermarket uses a stock control system.

Details of products are stored on a stock database.

Explain how the system used in the supermarket can control the quantity of tins of beans in stock so that the
chance of running out is minimised.

[6]

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 2. * A company enforces standard rules about writing functions on its programmers. Discuss the reasons why this
might be the case.

[9]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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 Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

1 Barcode of item purchased is read at 6 Note: This is intended to be a difficult

checkout / it is scanned in question.
Barcode is compared with barcodes Mark points need to be fairly precise – do
stored on stock file not read too much into a response
(Field containing) number of tins of
beans is decremented Examiner's Comments
New value is compared with the field
containing the minimum number of tins There were some comprehensive
of beans that are allowed responses here, while many good answers
If number of tins in stock is less than were spoiled because the process
minimum stock / value is below limit… described did not consider the need to
…and no order is outstanding for this avoid automatically ordering more tins after
item… every tin is sold. Few were unable to earn
…search supplier file for details of some credit even if it was only for scanning
supplier and use these details either to the tins when sold. This proved to be an
place an order automatically or excellent discriminator question. This
produce report for manager question was an ideal question to be
Set field showing outstanding order answered as a series of numbered points,
When order arrives, number in stock answering in this way could have helped
(field) is incremented some candidates arrange their thoughts in
what is a sequential process.

Total 6

2 * Mark Band 3–High Level 9 AO1: Knowledge and Understanding

(7–9 marks) The following is indicative of possible
The candidate demonstrates thorough factors / evidence that candidates may
knowledge and understanding of reasons refer to but is not prescriptive or
why Nobugs enforces standard rules about exhaustive:
writing functions on its programmers; the
material is generally accurate and detailed. No function may be longer than a
The candidate is able to apply their single page of code: this is to reduce
knowledge and understanding directly and complexity and aid readability.
consistently to the context provided. Variable identifiers must conform to a
Evidence / examples will be explicitly standard convention: this helps others
relevant to the explanation. The candidate to understand the code and reduces
provides a thorough discussion which is the likelihood of duplication, makes
well-balanced. Evaluative comments are maintenance easier.
consistently relevant and well-considered. Each function must have a single entry
point: this reduces complexity and
There is a well-developed line of reasoning makes the search for any bugs more
which is clear and logically structured. The straightforward.
information presented is relevant and Variables must not be set up outside
substantiated. the scope of a function: this sets a limit
on where to look for bugs and reduces
Mark Band 2–Mid Level the likelihood of a problem spread
(4–6 marks) across many modules.
The candidate demonstrates reasonable
knowledge and understanding of reasons AO2.1: Application
why Nobugs enforces standard rules about The selected knowledge / examples should

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 Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

writing functions on its programmers; the be directly related to the specific question.
material is generally accurate but at times The following is indicative of possible
underdeveloped. factors / evidence that candidates may
The candidate is able to apply their refer to but is not prescriptive or
knowledge and understanding directly to exhaustive:
the context provided although one or two
opportunities are missed. Evidence / Explanation of how the standard rules
examples are for the most part implicitly for programming would impact upon
relevant to the explanation. the choices made for using functions
and variables and how they are
The candidate provides a reasonable addressed.
discussion, the majority of which is Discussion around the use of different
focused. Evaluative comments are for the functions and variables that are
most part appropriate, although one or two dependent, independent or
opportunities for development are missed. interdependent.

There is a line of reasoning presented with AO3.3: Evaluation

some structure. The information presented Candidates will need to consider a variety
is in the most part relevant and supported of viewpoints in relation to following
by some evidence. standard rules for functions and variables
while developing management software
Mark Band 1–Low Level and will make evaluative comments about
(1–3 marks) the issues and solutions they are
The candidate demonstrates a basic discussing e.g.
knowledge of reasons why an organisation
enforces standard rules about writing Why using functions longer than one
functions on its programmers with limited page of code will increase complexity?
understanding shown; the material is basic Why hardware-specific code must be
and contains some inaccuracies. The avoided?
candidate makes a limited attempt to apply Why variables must not be setup
acquired knowledge and understanding to outside the scope of a function?
the context provided. How a single entry point reduces
complexity and makes the search for
The candidate provides a limited any bugs more straightforward?
discussion which is narrow in focus. What will happen if embedded
Judgments if made are weak and documentation is not adequate?
unsubstantiated.

The information is basic and

communicated in an unstructured way. The
information is supported by limited
evidence and the relationship to the
evidence may not be clear.

0 marks
No attempt to answer the question or
response is not worthy of credit.

Total 9

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