ICDL Professional

CODING
PRINCIPLES
Syllabus 1.0

Syllabus Document
Purpose
This document details the syllabus for the Coding Principles module. The syllabus describes,
through learning outcomes, the knowledge and skills that a candidate for the Coding Principles
module should possess. The syllabus also provides the basis for the theory and practice-based
test in this module.

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 Coding Principles Module

This module sets out essential concepts and skills relating to the ability to use computational thinking
and coding to create simple computer programs.

Module Goals

Successful candidates will be able to:

• Understand key concepts relating to computing and the typical activities involved in creating a
program.
• Understand and use computational thinking techniques like problem decomposition, pattern
recognition, abstraction and algorithms to analyse a problem and develop solutions.
• Write, test and modify algorithms for a program using flowcharts and pseudocode.
• Understand key principles and terms associated with coding and the importance of well-
structured and documented code.
• Understand and use programming constructs like variables, data types, and logic in a program.
• Improve efficiency and functionality by using iteration, conditional statements, procedures and
functions, as well as events and commands in a program.
• Test and debug a program and ensure it meets requirements before release.

CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

1 Computing Terms 1.1 Key Concepts 1.1.1 Define the term computing.

1.1.2 Define the term computational thinking.

1.1.3 Define the term program.

1.1.4 Define the term code. Distinguish between source

code, machine code.

1.1.5 Understand the terms program description and

specification.

1.1.6 Recognise typical activities in the creation of a

program: analysis, design, programming, testing,
enhancement.

1.1.7 Understand the difference between a formal

language and a natural language.

2 Computational 2.1 Problem Analysis 2.1.1 Outline the typical methods used in computational
Thinking Methods thinking: decomposition, pattern recognition,
abstraction, algorithms.

2.1.2 Use problem decomposition to break down data,

processes, or a complex problem into smaller
parts.

2.1.3 Identify patterns among small, decomposed

problems.

2.1.4 Use abstraction to filter out unnecessary details

when analysing a problem.

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 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

2.1.5 Understand how algorithms are used in

computational thinking.

2.2 Algorithms 2.2.1 Define the programming construct term sequence.

Outline the purpose of sequencing when
designing algorithms.

2.2.2 Recognise possible methods for problem

representation like: flowcharts, pseudocode.

2.2.3 Recognise flowchart symbols like: start/stop,

process, decision, input/output, connector, arrow.

2.2.4 Outline the sequence of operations represented

by a flowchart, pseudocode.

2.2.5 Write an accurate algorithm based on a

description using a technique like: flowchart,
pseudocode.

2.2.6 Fix errors in an algorithm like: missing program

element, incorrect sequence, incorrect decision
outcome.

3 Starting to Code 3.1 Getting Started 3.1.1 Describe the characteristics of well-structured and
documented code like: indentation, appropriate
comments, descriptive naming.

3.1.2 Use simple arithmetic operators to perform

calculations in a program: +, -, /, *.

3.1.3 Understand the precedence of operators and the

order of evaluation in complex expressions.
Understand how to use parenthesis to structure
complex expressions.

3.1.4 Understand the term parameter. Outline the

purpose of parameters in a program.

3.1.5 Define the programming construct term comment.

Outline the purpose of a comment in a program.

3.1.6 Use comments in a program.

3.2 Variables and Data 3.2.1 Define the programming construct term variable.
Types Outline the purpose of a variable in a program.

3.2.2 Define and initialise a variable.

3.2.3 Assign a value to a variable.

3.2.4 Use appropriately named variables in a program

for calculations, storing values.

3.2.5 Use data types in a program: string, character,

integer, float, Boolean.

3.2.6 Use an aggregate data type in a program like:

array, list, tuple.

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 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

3.2.7 Use data input from a user in a program.

3.2.8 Use data output to a screen in a program.

4 Building using Code 4.1 Logic 4.1.1 Define the programming construct term logic test.
Outline the purpose of a logic test in a program.

4.1.2 Recognise types of Boolean logic expressions to

generate a true or false value like: =, >, <, >=, <=,
<>, !=, ==, AND, OR, NOT.

4.1.3 Use Boolean logic expressions in a program.

4.2 Iteration 4.2.1 Define the programming construct term loop.

Outline the purpose and benefit of looping in a
program.

4.2.2 Recognise types of loops used for iteration: for,

while, repeat.

4.2.3 Use iteration (looping) in a program like: for, while,

repeat.

4.2.4 Understand the term infinite loop.

4.2.5 Understand the term recursion.

4.3 Conditionality 4.3.1 Define the programming construct term

conditional statement. Outline the purpose of
conditional statements in a program.

4.3.2 Use IF…THEN...ELSE conditional statements in a

program.

4.4 Procedures and 4.4.1 Understand the term procedure. Outline the
Functions purpose of a procedure in a program.

4.4.2 Write and name a procedure in a program.

4.4.3 Understand the term function. Outline the purpose

of a function in a program.

4.4.4 Write and name a function in a program.

4.5 Events and 4.5.1 Understand the term event. Outline the purpose of
Commands an event in a program.

4.5.2 Use event handlers like: mouse click, keyboard

input, button click, timer.

4.5.3 Use available generic libraries like: math, random,

time.

5 Test, Debug and 5.1 Run, Test and 5.1.1 Understand the benefits of testing and debugging
Release Debug a program to resolve errors.

5.1.2 Understand types of errors in a program like:

syntax, logic.

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 CATEGORY SKILL SET REF. TASK ITEM

5.1.3 Run a program.

5.1.4 Identify and fix a syntax error in a program like:

incorrect spelling, missing punctuation.

5.1.5 Identify and fix a logic error in a program like:

incorrect Boolean expression, incorrect data type.

5.2 Release 5.2.1 Check your program against the requirements of

the initial description.

5.2.2 Describe the completed program, communicating

purpose and value.

5.2.3 Identify enhancements, improvements to the

program that may meet additional, related needs.

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