← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

CHAR data type

The data type for exactly one character (a letter, digit or symbol), written in single quotes, such as 'x', '7' or '@'. Even '7' is a character, not a number.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 8.1a Data Types and Variables — Module 16

Understanding CHAR data type in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: 'x' is one character in single quotes, so it is a valid CHAR value. A CHAR holds exactly one character. This can be a letter, a digit or a symbol such as '@'. '@@' has two characters. Each option is a single letter, so CHAR is the best choice.

Common mistakes: A CHAR holds exactly one character. 'BC' is two characters, so it would need to be a STRING. It should be grade ← 'B'. CHAR values are written in single quotes, not double quotes. It should be symbol ← '@'.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 317–326) and word search (Modules 317–336).

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Learning

Duo

Which value is a valid CHAR literal?

"x"'x'

Matches

Initial ← "B"

↓

Double quotes were used. A CHAR value must be written in single quotes: 'B'.

Applying

Meanings

Term

CHAR

Meaning

The data type for exactly one character (a letter, digit or symbol), written in single quotes, such as 'x', '7' or '@'. Even '7' is a character, not a number.

Practice

DECLARE Grade : CHAR

Testing

Gaps

DECLARE Initial :

Check Answer

Spots

2DECLARE name : STRING

3grade ← 'BC'

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Quick Questions

1. Which value is a valid CHAR literal?

A. 'x' ✓

B. "x"

CHAR values are written in single quotes. Double quotes are used for STRING values.

2. Which value can be stored in a CHAR variable?

A. '@' ✓

B. '@@'

A CHAR holds exactly one character. This can be a letter, a digit or a symbol such as '@'. '@@' has two characters.

3. Which statement about '7' is correct?

A. '7' is an INTEGER, because 7 is a number

B. '7' is a CHAR, because it is a single character in quotes ✓

The single quotes make '7' a character. It is not a number, so you cannot use it as one in a calculation.

4. Which declaration creates a variable that holds one letter?

A. DECLARE Grade : CHAR ✓

B. DECLARE Grade : LETTER

CHAR is the Cambridge pseudocode data type for a single character. LETTER is not a data type.

5. Which assignment is correct for Initial, a CHAR variable?

A. Initial ← 'Mia'

B. Initial ← 'M' ✓

A CHAR can only hold one character. 'Mia' has three characters, so it needs a STRING.

Match the Pairs

DECLARE Grade : CHAR → Declares a variable named Grade that can store exactly one character

Symbol ← '@' → Stores the symbol @ in a CHAR variable using single quotes

A CHAR literal is exactly one character inside single quotes → Letter ← 'x'

A digit in single quotes is a character, not a number, so it is a CHAR value → Digit ← '7'

Initial ← "B" → Double quotes were used. A CHAR value must be written in single quotes: 'B'.

Letter ← 'AB' → A CHAR holds exactly one character, but 'AB' has two. Use one character such as 'A' or change the type to STRING.

Key Term

CHAR

The data type for exactly one character (a letter, digit or symbol), written in single quotes, such as 'x', '7' or '@'. Even '7' is a character, not a number.

Fill in the Blanks

1. DECLARE Initial : CHAR

Hint: Type the data type for storing exactly one character, such as a letter.

2. DECLARE Digit : CHAR Digit ← '7'

Hint: Type the assignment operator that stores the character in the variable.

3. DECLARE Symbol : CHAR Symbol ← '@'

Hint: Type the keyword that creates a new variable before its data type is given.

4. DECLARE Initial : CHAR Initial ← 'K' OUTPUT Initial

Hint: Type the keyword that displays the character stored in the variable.

5. DECLARE Symbol : CHAR Symbol ← '#'

Hint: Type the punctuation that separates the variable name from its data type.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A DECLARE grade : CHAR

B DECLARE name : STRING

C grade ← 'BC'

D OUTPUT grade

Line C — A CHAR holds exactly one character. 'BC' is two characters, so it would need to be a STRING. It should be grade ← 'B'.

Question 2

A DECLARE symbol : CHAR

B symbol ← "@"

C OUTPUT symbol

Line B — CHAR values are written in single quotes, not double quotes. It should be symbol ← '@'.

Question 3

A DECLARE digit : INTEGER

B digit ← '7'

C OUTPUT digit

Line A — '7' is a character, not a number, so the variable must be declared as CHAR. It should be DECLARE digit : CHAR.

Question 4

A DECLARE letter : CHAR

B letter ← x

C OUTPUT letter

Line B — A CHAR literal needs single quotes. Without them, x looks like a variable name. It should be letter ← 'x'.

Question 5

A DECLARE code : CHAR

B code ← 7

C OUTPUT code

Line B — 7 without quotes is an INTEGER. A CHAR must hold a character, so the digit needs single quotes: code ← '7'.

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