Years 7–8 Creating Digital Solutions Definitions Worksheet: Designing and tracing algorithms to Evaluating digital solutions (Modules 50–125)
Name:
Date:
Class:
✎
Key terms
Write what each term means, in your own words.
1
test data
2
storyboard
3
criteria table
4
program
5
int(input())
6
and, or, not
7
:
8
if inside a loop
9
break
10
list.append(value)
11
def name():
12
local variable
13
if / while
14
modify code
15
evaluate against constraints
16
future impact
Answer Key
Years 7–8 Creating Digital Solutions · Modules 50–125 · Student wording will vary for definitions
1test data — Chosen inputs, each with the output you expect, picked so every path (branch) through an algorithm gets tested. Compare the real result to the expected output.
2storyboard — A row of numbered screen sketches with arrows showing the order a user moves through them, so you can plan how someone gets from the first screen to the last.
3criteria table — A table that lists each design option against the same criteria, rates each one, and helps you pick the best design and give reasons for your choice.
4program — A text file of Python instructions. You write it in the editor, and when you press Run, Python does each line in order from first to last and shows the output in the output panel.
5int(input()) — input() gives text, so int() wraps it to turn the typed text into a whole number you can calculate with. Use float() for decimals. str() turns a number back into text.
6and, or, not — Logical operators that combine or flip True/False conditions. and needs both True, or needs at least one True, and not reverses True to False (or False to True).
7: — A colon at the end of a line starts a block. The lines inside the block are indented by the same amount (4 spaces), and the block ends when the indent ends.
8if inside a loop — An if indented inside a loop's block is checked again on every repetition, so each pass can make a different decision.
9break — A keyword that stops the loop it is in straight away. The program then carries on with the first line after the loop. It is often used inside while True to exit when a condition is met.
10list.append(value) — Adds a value to the end of a list, making it one item longer. Start with an empty list like scores = [] and use append() in a loop to build it up.
11def name(): — Creates a function: a named, reusable block of indented code that only runs when you call it. Define it first, then call it.
12local variable — A variable created inside a function. It only exists in that function, so using it outside gives a NameError. A variable made outside all functions is global and can be used anywhere.
13if / while — A flowchart diamond (a decision) becomes if, or while when an arrow loops back to it. Rectangles become statements and parallelograms become input() or print().
14modify code — Read a working program, then change one part, like a value, condition or message, to get new behaviour. Predict the result first, change one thing at a time, then run it.
15evaluate against constraints — Check if a solution stayed within its time, budget, device and skill limits, say if each was met or not met, and explain what trade-offs were made and how they affected its features.
16future impact — An effect a solution could have later on people, the environment or the economy, such as energy use, jobs or privacy.