← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

Keywords in upper case

IF is a pseudocode keyword. All keywords (IF, ENDIF, WHILE, OUTPUT) are written in upper case and never used as identifier names. Lower case, such as if, is a presentation error.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7c Pseudocode and Flowcharts — Module 2

Understanding Keywords in upper case in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: IF, THEN, OUTPUT and ENDIF are all keywords, so they all appear in upper case in this example. Total is a valid identifier name. Names like IF, WHILE or OUTPUT are keywords and cannot be used for variables. The whole keyword must be in capitals. Mixed case such as Endwhile is also a presentation error.

Common mistakes: OUTPUT is a keyword, so it must be written in upper case. Lower-case output is a presentation error. The line should be OUTPUT "Pass". Every letter of a keyword must be upper case. Output with a capital O and lower-case letters is wrong. It should be OUTPUT Lives.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 136–145) and word search (Modules 123–145).

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Learning

Duo

Which line is written correctly in Cambridge pseudocode?

if Score > 50 thenIF Score > 50 THEN

Matches

if Score >= 50 THEN OUTPUT "Pass" endif

↓

The keywords if and endif are in lower case. They should be IF and ENDIF.

Applying

Meanings

Term

Meaning

IF is a pseudocode keyword. All keywords (IF, ENDIF, WHILE, OUTPUT) are written in upper case and never used as identifier names. Lower case, such as if, is a presentation error.

Practice

DECLARE Score : INTEGER

Testing

Gaps

Mark >= 50 THEN

Check Answer

Spots

3IF Score >= 50 THEN

4 output "Pass"

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Quick Questions

1. Which line is written correctly in Cambridge pseudocode?

A. if Score > 50 then

B. IF Score > 50 THEN ✓

Every keyword, including IF and THEN, must be in upper case. Lower case keywords are a presentation error.

2. Which line correctly finishes an IF statement?

A. endif

B. ENDIF ✓

ENDIF is a keyword, so it is written in upper case.

3. Which loop header follows the keyword rule?

A. WHILE Count < 10 DO ✓

B. while Count < 10 do

WHILE and DO are keywords and must be in upper case.

4. Which is the correct way to close a WHILE loop?

A. ENDWHILE ✓

B. Endwhile

The whole keyword must be in capitals. Mixed case such as Endwhile is also a presentation error.

5. Which variable name is allowed in pseudocode?

A. Total ✓

B. IF

Keywords such as IF are reserved and are never used as identifier names. Total is a valid identifier in Pascal case.

Match the Pairs

IF Score >= 50 THEN OUTPUT "Pass" ENDIF → Correct: the keywords IF, THEN, OUTPUT and ENDIF are all written in upper case

WHILE Count < 5 DO Count ← Count + 1 ENDWHILE → Correct: WHILE, DO and ENDWHILE are keywords in upper case, while Count is an identifier in Pascal case

Every keyword in Cambridge pseudocode, including the one that closes a selection, is written in upper case → IF Age >= 16 THEN OUTPUT "Adult" ENDIF

A keyword can never be used as an identifier name, so a variable must have a different name such as Total → DECLARE Total : INTEGER

if Score >= 50 THEN OUTPUT "Pass" endif → The keywords if and endif are in lower case. They should be IF and ENDIF.

DECLARE WHILE : INTEGER → WHILE is a keyword, so it cannot be used as an identifier. Use a name such as Counter instead.

Key Term

IF

IF is a pseudocode keyword. All keywords (IF, ENDIF, WHILE, OUTPUT) are written in upper case and never used as identifier names. Lower case, such as if, is a presentation error.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IF Mark >= 50 THEN OUTPUT "Pass" ENDIF

Hint: Type the keyword that starts a selection statement. Remember that pseudocode keywords are always upper case.

2. IF Mark >= 50 THEN OUTPUT "Pass" ENDIF

Hint: Type the keyword that closes the selection statement, in upper case.

3. WHILE Count <= 5 DO Count ← Count + 1 ENDWHILE

Hint: Type the keyword that begins a loop which checks its condition before each pass. Use upper case.

4. WHILE Count <= 5 DO Count ← Count + 1 ENDWHILE

Hint: Type the single keyword that marks the end of the loop, in upper case.

5. IF Age >= 18 THEN OUTPUT "Adult" ENDIF

Hint: Type the keyword that displays a value to the user, in upper case.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A DECLARE Score : INTEGER

B INPUT Score

C IF Score >= 50 THEN

D output "Pass"

E ENDIF

Line D — OUTPUT is a keyword, so it must be written in upper case. Lower-case output is a presentation error. The line should be OUTPUT "Pass".

Question 2

A Lives ← 3

B WHILE Lives > 0 DO

C Output Lives

D Lives ← Lives - 1

E ENDWHILE

Line C — Every letter of a keyword must be upper case. Output with a capital O and lower-case letters is wrong. It should be OUTPUT Lives.

Question 3

A INPUT Mark

B if Mark > 49 THEN

C OUTPUT "Pass"

D ENDIF

Line B — The keyword IF must be in upper case. The lower-case if is a presentation error. It should be IF Mark > 49 THEN.

Question 4

A INPUT Number

B OUTPUT ← Number * 2

C OUTPUT Result

Line B — OUTPUT is a keyword, so it can never be used as an identifier name. The variable needs a different name, such as Result ← Number * 2.

Question 5

A for Count ← 1 TO 5

B OUTPUT Count

C NEXT Count

Line A — FOR is a keyword and must be written in upper case. The line should be FOR Count ← 1 TO 5.

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