IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2 Definitions Worksheet: 8.3 File Handling and 9 Databases (Modules 500–522)
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Key terms
Write what each term means, in your own words.
1
WRITE, CLOSEFILE, READ
2
WRITEFILE FileB.txt, LineOfText
3
trace table
4
file handling error
5
DECLARE, OPENFILE, WRITEFILE, CLOSEFILE
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field and record
7
character field
8
validation check
9
PRIMARY KEY
10
table structure
Answer Key
IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2 · Modules 500–522 · Student wording will vary for definitions
1WRITE, CLOSEFILE, READ — Open a file for WRITE, store data with WRITEFILE, then CLOSEFILE. Reopen the same file name for READ and READFILE gets the data back to use again.
2WRITEFILE FileB.txt, LineOfText — Writes the line held in LineOfText (read earlier from FileA.txt) into FileB.txt, copying it between files. Both files must be opened first and each one closed after.
3trace table — A table that follows a program step by step, recording the file contents and each variable's value after every file command, until you find the final OUTPUT.
4file handling error — A mistake such as using the wrong mode, missing OPENFILE or CLOSEFILE, using different file names, or opening a file FOR WRITE and wiping its old data.
5DECLARE, OPENFILE, WRITEFILE, CLOSEFILE — The order of a complete file program: declare variables, open the file in the right mode, read or write the data, then close the file. Keywords are in capitals and statements are indented.
6field and record — A field is a column and a record is one data row. The heading row is not a record. A table with 4 fields and 6 records has 4 columns and 7 rows including the heading.
7character field — A character field holds exactly one character, like a grade A-E or an M/F code. A text field holds a string of any length, like a name or a postcode.
8validation check — A rule that tests data on entry. Pick the one that fits each field: range for a mark, length for a phone number, presence for a required name, list for a year group.
9PRIMARY KEY — The field chosen to identify each record. Its values must be unique and never blank, like an ID number. Names and dates of birth can repeat, so they are unsuitable.
10table structure — The plan for one table: list each field the scenario needs, give it a data type and any validation, and choose a primary key so the table can hold every record.