IGCSE Computer Science

Tips

IGCSE Computer Science (0478) has ten topics across two papers: data representation, data transmission, hardware, software, the internet, automated and emerging technologies, algorithm design, programming, databases and Boolean logic.

Paper 1 is theory, marked on precise vocabulary — the difference between RAM and ROM, a compiler and an interpreter, validation and verification. These are definition marks, and a paraphrase usually misses them.

Paper 2 is problem-solving and programming, where marks go to a working method: trace tables, pseudocode, and code that would actually run. Secure number bases and binary arithmetic first — they appear on their own and again inside data transmission, logic and hardware.

Train all vocabulary

Past Papers

1
Data representation
Watch lesson

Open this topic on its own page
- 1.1 Why computers use binary
- 1.1 Number systems
- 1.1 Binary addition
- 1.1 Logical binary shift
- 1.1 Two's complement
- 1.2 Representing text
- 1.2 Representing sound
- 1.2 Representing images
- 1.3 Measuring data storage
- 1.3 Calculating file size
- 1.3 Compression
- 1.3 Exam tips
Loading…
2
Data transmission
Watch lesson

Open this topic on its own page
- 2.1 What is data transmission?
- 2.1 The structure of a packet
- 2.1 Packet switching
- 2.1 Methods of data transmission
- 2.1 USB
- 2.2 Why we check for errors
- 2.2 Error detection methods
- 2.3 Encryption
- 2.3 Exam tips
Loading…
3
Hardware
Watch lesson

Open this topic on its own page
- 3.1 The central processing unit (CPU)
- 3.2 Input devices
- 3.2 Output devices
- 3.3 Primary storage: RAM and ROM
- 3.3 Secondary storage
- 3.3 Virtual memory
- 3.3 Cloud storage
- 3.4 Network hardware
- 3.4 Exam tips
Loading…
4
Software
Watch lesson

Open this topic on its own page
- 4.1 Hardware and software
- 4.1 Types of software
- 4.1 The operating system
- 4.1 Interrupts
- 4.2 Programming languages
- 4.2 Translators
- 4.2 Integrated development environment (IDE)
- 4.2 Exam tips
Loading…
5
The internet and its uses
Watch lesson

Open this topic on its own page
- 5.1 The internet and the world wide web
- 5.1 URL
- 5.1 The web browser
- 5.1 How a web page reaches you
- 5.1 Cookies
- 5.2 Digital currency
- 5.2 Blockchain
- 5.3 Cyber security threats
- 5.3 Keeping data safe
- 5.3 Exam tips
Loading…
6
Automated and emerging technologies
Watch lesson

Open this topic on its own page
- 6.1 Automated systems
- 6.2 Robotics
- 6.3 Artificial intelligence
- 6.3 Exam tips
Loading…
7
Algorithm design and problem-solving
Watch lesson

Open this topic on its own page
- 7.1 The program development life cycle
- 7.2 Design tools
- 7.3 Algorithms
- 7.4 Validation and verification
- 7.5 Trace tables
- 7.6 Test data
- 7.7 Standard methods of solution
- 7.8 Exam tips
Loading…
8
Programming
Watch lesson

Open this topic on its own page
- 8.1 Variables and constants
- 8.1 Data types
- 8.1 Input and output
- 8.1 The three basic structures
- 8.1 Totalling and counting
- 8.1 Operators
- 8.1 String handling
- 8.1 Nested statements
- 8.1 Procedures and functions
- 8.1 Library routines
- 8.1 Writing a maintainable program
- 8.2 Arrays
- 8.3 File handling
- 8.3 Exam tips
Loading…
9
Databases
Watch lesson

Open this topic on its own page
- 9.1 What is a database?
- 9.2 Records and fields
- 9.3 Data types for fields
- 9.4 The primary key
- 9.5 Validation in a database
- 9.6 Structured Query Language (SQL)
- 9.7 Exam tips
Loading…
10
Boolean logic
Watch lesson

Open this topic on its own page
- 10.1 What is Boolean logic?
- 10.2 The six logic gates
- 10.3 Logic expressions
- 10.4 Logic circuits
- 10.5 Exam tips
Loading…