STAGE 2 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

ASSESSMENT TYPE 2: Skills and Applications Task (Practical)

Option Topic 2: Application Programming
Name: _________________________________
Objective
To demonstrate your ability to:
apply skills and concepts to manipulate and process data to generate an outcome
apply information technology knowledge, skills, and recommended practices and techniques
to new and existing systems
use the systems development life cycle and other problem-solving methods to design,
develop, and validate user-friendly, reliable, and accurate systems
Description of assessment
In this practical task, you will be investigating the bubble sort algorithm. Firstly, you will analyse an
example of the bubble sort algorithm and consider the data input as well as processing needed to
output a sorted list of data. Using the system development cycle, you will develop a program based
on the given bubble sort algorithm in pseudocode. Your program will accept elements to be sorted,
uses bubble sort to sort the elements and outputs the sorted elements in ascending order. You will
also evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the bubble sort algorithm compared to another
sorting algorithm. Lastly, you will discuss the responsibilities of an application programmer.
You final program must meet the following requirements.
User-friendly
Incorporates recommended practices and techniques
Show evidence of validation of inputs/outputs
There are 3 questions and 7 pages in total.
Assessment conditions
You will have 120 minutes to complete the assessment. This assessment will require both written
work and the use of a programming application (Eclipse). At the end of the 120 minutes, you are to
print off your solution sheet and hand in your work. As this is an open book assessment, you are
permitted to bring in any printed/handwritten notes.
Weighting of Assessment 15%
Marks
Question

Marks Allocated

24

Total

40

Marks Scored

Learning Requirements

Assessment Design Criteria

Capabilities

1. Use appropriate
communication methods
and tools to explain
information technology
concepts, including how
data is represented and
transferred in computerbased systems
2. Apply skills and concepts
to manipulate and
process data to generate
an outcome
3. Apply information
technology knowledge,
skills, and recommended
practices and techniques
to new and existing
systems
4. Use the systems
development life cycle
and other problemsolving methods to
design, develop, and
validate user-friendly,
reliable, and accurate
systems
5. Discuss and analyse the
ethical use of current and
potential computer-based
systems and their social
impact on individuals and
society.

Knowledge and Understanding

Communication

The specific features are as follows:

KU1 Use of communication methods and tools to
explain concepts and justify decisions.
KU2 Explanation of the representation and transfer of
data in a computer-based system.
KU3 Discussion of the interaction of elements of a
system (information system, computer system,
communication system).
KU4 Application of understanding of a system to a
context.

Citizenship
Personal
Development
Work
Learning

Analysis and Evaluation

The specific features are as follows:
AE1 Analysis of a problem and statement of desired
system outcomes.
AE2 Analysis of a current or proposed system to
identify the appropriate data and processing
needed to produce information that satisfies
system outcomes.
AE3 Use of systems development concepts and tools
to design a system.
AE4 Evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of a
proposed or developed solution to a problem
arising in a system.
AE5 Analysis and discussion of the responsibilities of a
user or developer in a given context.
AE6 Appraisal of the impact of current and potential
computer-based systems and technologies on
individuals, organisations, and communities.
Development and Validation
The specific features are as follows:
DV1 Use of design techniques and tools, and
knowledge, skills, and processes to achieve
outcomes or solve a problem.
DV2 Development and documentation of a user-friendly
system.
DV3 Development of a validation plan and evidence of
validation of the elements of the system.
DV4 Incorporation of recommended practices and
techniques into a computer-based system.

Question 1 (Total: 7 marks)

The following is a step-by-step example of the bubble sort algorithm.
First Pass
(51428)
(15428)
(14528)
(14258)

(15428)
(14528)
(14258)
(14258)

Second Pass
(14258)
(14258)
(12458)
(12458)

(14258)
(12458)
(12458)
(12458)

Third Pass
(12458)
(12458)
(12458)
(12458)

(12458)
(12458)
(12458)
(12458)

(a) Based on the example above, identify the input to this algorithm.
_______________________________________________________________________
/1 mark
(b) Explain what is happening to the numbers in bold in the first and second pass.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
/2 marks
(c) Explain what is happening to the numbers in bold in the third pass.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
/2 marks
(d) Identify the output of this algorithm. How does the output differ from the input?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
/2 marks

Question 2 (Total: 24 marks)

The following is the bubble sort algorithm in pseudocode.
procedurebubbleSort(A:listofsortableitems)
n=length(A)
repeat
swapped=false
fori=1ton1inclusivedo
/*ifthispairisoutoforder*/
ifA[i1]>A[i]then
/*swapthemandremembersomethingchanged*/
swap(A[i1],A[i])
swapped=true
endif
endfor
untilnotswapped
endprocedure
Using the system development cycle, develop a program in C++ using Eclipse based on
the pseudocode above. Your program will accept two inputs. It will ask the user to enter
the total number of elements to be sorted (1 mark) and the list of elements (1 mark). It will
then sort the list of elements using bubble sort (10 marks). Finally, it will output a sorted
list of elements in ascending order. (2 marks)
Your final program must also meet the following requirements:
It must be user-friendly (input and output) (2 marks)
It must incorporate recommended practices such as the use of modules (procedures
and functions) (2 marks)
It must make use control structures (2 marks)
It must show evidence of validation of inputs/outputs (2 marks)
It needs to include comments (2 marks)
Submission: You will need to print out your final program along with your validation of
inputs/outputs and attach it to this assessment task.

Question 3 (Total: 9 marks)

The following shows the insertion sort algorithm and an example of its implementation.

(a) In your opinion, how effective is the insertion sort algorithm compared to the bubble sort
algorithm? Why?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/3 marks
(b) In your opinion, how efficient is the insertion sort algorithm compared to the bubble sort
algorithm? Why?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
/3 marks

(c) State 3 responsibilities of an application programmer.

5

(i)

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
/1 mark

(ii)

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
/1 mark

(iii)

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
/1 mark

Performance Standards for Stage 2 Information Technology

Knowledge and Understanding

Analysis and Evaluation

Development and Validation

Highly effective use of communication

methods and tools to explain concepts
and justify decisions.

Comprehensive and sophisticated analysis of a problem and statement of

desired system outcomes.

Accurate use of design techniques an

tools, and knowledge, skills, and
processes to achieve outcomes or sol
problem.

Comprehensive and sophisticated

explanation of the representation and
transfer of data in a computer-based
system.

Highly effective application of

understanding of a system to a context.

Convincing appraisal of the impact of current and potential computer-based

systems and technologies on individuals, organisations, and communities.

Highly proficient incorporation of

recommended practices and techniqu
into a computer-based system.

Effective use of communication

methods and tools to explain concepts
and justify decisions.

Comprehensive analysis of a problem and statement of desired system

outcomes.

Mostly accurate use of design techni

and tools, and knowledge, skills, and
processes to achieve outcomes or sol
problem.

Effective application of understanding

of a system to a context.

Competent use of communication

methods and tools to explain concepts
and justify decisions.
Considered explanation of the
representation and transfer of data in a
computer-based system.
Appropriate discussion of the interaction
of elements of a system (information
system, computer system,
communication system).
Competent application of understanding
of a system to a context.

Some use of communication methods

and tools to explain concepts.
Attempted explanation of the
representation and transfer of data in a
computer-based system.
Some discussion of aspects of the
interaction of elements of a system
(information system, computer system,
communication system).
Application of some understanding of a
system to a context.

Correct development and highly deta

documentation of an efficient and
effective user-friendly system to add
problem.

Discerning evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of a proposed or

developed solution to a problem arising in a system.

Well-considered discussion of the

interaction of elements of a system
(information system, computer system,
communication system).

Sustained correct use of systems development concepts and tools to design a

system.

Comprehensive and sophisticated

discussion of the interaction of elements
of a system (information system,
computer system, communication
system).

Well-considered explanation of the

representation and transfer of data in a
computer-based system.

Correct analysis of a current or proposed system to identify the appropriate

data and processing needed to produce information that satisfies system
outcomes.

Limited use of one or more

communication methods or tools to
explain concepts.
Emerging recognition of the
representation and transfer of data in a
computer-based system.
Identification of one or more aspects of
the interaction of elements of a system
(information system, computer system,
communication system).
Attempted application of understanding
of a system to a context.

Insightful analysis and discussion of the responsibilities of a user or

developer in a given context.

Mostly correct analysis of a current or proposed system to identify the

appropriate data and processing needed to produce information that satisfies
system outcomes.
Mostly correct use of systems development concepts and tools to design a
system.
Well-considered evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of a proposed
or developed solution to a problem arising in a system.
Thoughtful analysis and discussion of the responsibilities of a user or
developer in a given context.
Mostly convincing appraisal of the impact of current and potential computerbased systems and technologies on individuals, organisations, and
communities.
Competent analysis of a problem and statement of desired system outcomes.
Generally accurate analysis of a current or proposed system to identify the
appropriate data and processing needed to produce information that satisfies
system outcomes.
Appropriate use of systems development concepts and tools to develop a
system.
Considered evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of a proposed or
developed solution to a problem arising in a system.
Appropriate analysis and discussion of the responsibilities of a user or
developer in a given context.

Highly skilled development of a wel

considered validation plan and evide
accurate validation of the elements o
system.

Mostly correct development and deta

documentation of an efficient and
effective user-friendly system to add
problem.

Skilled development of a validation p

and evidence of mostly accurate vali
of the elements of a system.

Proficient incorporation of recomme

practices and techniques into a comp
based system.

Generally accurate use of design

techniques and tools, and knowledge
skills, and processes to achieve outco
or solve a problem.

Generally correct development and

appropriate documentation of an effe
and user-friendly system to address a
problem.

Competent development of a validat

plan and evidence of validation of th
elements of a system.

Considered appraisal of the impact of current and potential computer-based

systems and technologies on individuals, organisations, and communities.

Considered incorporation of
recommended practices and techniqu
into a computer-based system.

Basic description of a problem and statement of aspects of system outcomes.

Some use of basic design techniques

tools, and knowledge, skills, or proce
to achieve a partial outcome.

Partial description of a current or proposed system to identify the appropriate

data and processing needed to produce information.
Recognition and partial use of systems development concepts and tools to
design a system.
Some consideration and description of the effectiveness and/or efficiency of a
proposed solution to a problem arising in a system.
Beginning discussion of the responsibilities of a user or developer in a given
context.
Some appraisal of the impact of current and potential computer-based
systems and technologies on individuals, organisations, and communities.
Attempted description of a problem and/or aspects of a system.
Attempted description of a current system.
Identification of one or more systems development concepts or tools used to
design a system.
Attempted description of a problem arising in a system.
Limited discussion of any responsibilities of a user in a simple context.
Limited recognition of the impact of aspects of current computer-based
systems or technologies on individuals, organisations, and communities.

Attempted development and some

documentation of parts of a system t
address a problem.

Partial development of elements of a

validation plan and evidence of some
validation of a system.

Some incorporation of one or more

recommended practices and techniqu
into a computer-based system.

Limited use of any design techniques

tools.

Attempted development and limited

documentation of a system that migh
address a problem.

Attempted development of a validati

plan for one or more elements of a sy

Emerging recognition of one or more

recommended practices and/or techn
into a computer-based system.