← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

Visual check

A check where a person reads the data on screen and compares it by eye with the original source to spot mistakes. It is done by a person, not the program, and can miss errors.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 7a Program Development Life Cycle — Module 65

Understanding Visual check in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 2

What it does: The program shows the data on screen so the user can compare it by eye with the original form. This is a visual check. The person reading the screen does the checking, so the check depends on how careful they are. Visual checks are slow and not reliable, because people make mistakes when comparing data by eye.

Common mistakes: A name is text, so Name must be declared as STRING, not INTEGER. The person then reads it on screen and compares it with the form. A comma is needed between the text and the variable in OUTPUT. It should be OUTPUT "Compare: ", Mark so the data shows on screen for the person to check.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 60–70) and word search (Modules 47–70).

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Learning
Duo
What is a visual check?
A person reads the data on screen and compares it by eye with the original sourceThe program automatically compares the data against a set of rules
Matches
The program automatically finds every mistake in a visual check
↓
A visual check is done by a person, not the program, so it does not happen automatically. The person can also miss mistakes.
Applying
Meanings
Term
visual check
Meaning
A check where a person reads the data on screen and compares it by eye with the original source to spot mistakes. It is done by a person, not the program, and can miss errors.
Practice
DECLARE Name : STRING
Testing
Gaps
"You typed: ", Name
Check Answer
Spots
1DECLARE Name : STRING
2DECLARE Name : INTEGER

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Quick Questions

1. What is a visual check?
A. A person reads the data on screen and compares it by eye with the original source ✓
B. The program automatically compares the data against a set of rules
A visual check is done by a person. The program does not do the comparing.
2. Who carries out a visual check?
A. The computer program
B. The user or another person ✓
A visual check relies on a human reading and comparing the data. A program cannot do it by eye.
3. A student types in a form, then compares the screen with the paper form. Which check is this?
A. Visual check ✓
B. Range check
Comparing the screen with the source document by eye is a visual check. A range check is done by the program.
4. What is a weakness of a visual check?
A. It can only find errors in numbers
B. It is slow and the person can miss mistakes ✓
People get tired and can overlook errors, so a visual check can miss mistakes. It can check any type of data.
5. A visual check proves that the data entered is correct.
A. False: mistakes can still be missed ✓
B. True: nothing can be missed
The person might not notice a mistake, so a visual check cannot prove the data is correct.

Match the Pairs

visual check → A person reads the data on screen and compares it by eye with the original source to spot mistakes
Proofreading the entered data → Reading through typed data carefully to find mistakes, which is a person's job and not the program's
A visual check compares the data on screen with the original source document → OUTPUT "Check your details against the form: " & Name
A visual check is done by a person, not by the program, so the program only displays the data and asks the user to confirm → OUTPUT "Is this correct? Y/N"
The program automatically finds every mistake in a visual check → A visual check is done by a person, not the program, so it does not happen automatically. The person can also miss mistakes.
A visual check is fast and always finds every error → A visual check is slow because a person has to read every item, and it can miss mistakes if the person is tired or careless.

Key Term

visual check
A check where a person reads the data on screen and compares it by eye with the original source to spot mistakes. It is done by a person, not the program, and can miss errors.

Fill in the Blanks

1. INPUT Name OUTPUT "You typed: ", Name
Hint: Type the command that shows the data on screen so a person can read it.
2. OUTPUT "Does this match the form? Y/N" INPUT Answer
Hint: Type the command that lets the person reply after they have compared the screen with the source.
3. IF Answer <> "Y" THEN OUTPUT "Please enter the data again" ENDIF
Hint: Type the relational operator meaning 'not equal to'.
4. // A visual check is done by a person
Hint: Type who carries out a visual check, since the program cannot do it.
5. INPUT Name OUTPUT "Compare with form: ", Name INPUT Answer
Hint: Type the variable that holds the data being shown to the person to compare by eye.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A DECLARE Name : STRING
B DECLARE Name : INTEGER
C OUTPUT "Check: ", Name
D // Compare with the paper form
Line B — A name is text, so Name must be declared as STRING, not INTEGER. The person then reads it on screen and compares it with the form.
Question 2
A INPUT Mark
B OUTPUT "Compare: ", Mark
C OUTPUT "Compare: " Mark
D INPUT Reply
Line C — A comma is needed between the text and the variable in OUTPUT. It should be OUTPUT "Compare: ", Mark so the data shows on screen for the person to check.
Question 3
A WHILE
B OUTPUT "Check: ", Surname
C INPUT Reply
D UNTIL Reply = "YES"
Line A — The loop ends with UNTIL, so it must start with REPEAT. WHILE needs a condition and ENDWHILE, so the two loop types cannot be mixed.
Question 4
A DECLARE Reply STRING
B OUTPUT "Is the screen the same?"
C INPUT Reply
Line A — A DECLARE statement needs a colon between the identifier and the data type. It should be DECLARE Reply : STRING.
Question 5
A INPUT Surname
B OUTPUT "Check: ", Surname
C INPUT Reply
D IF Reply = "NO"
E INPUT Surname
F ENDIF
Line D — An IF statement must have the keyword THEN after the condition. It should be IF Reply = "NO" THEN. A mistake found by eye lets the user re-enter the data.

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