OCR J277/02 – 2.1 – Algorithms

Posted on by Administrator Posted in J277 - Computer Science GCSE (OCR)
2.1 – Algorithms - Overview / Checklist
2.1.1 Computational thinking
Principles of computational thinking:

    Abstraction
    Decomposition
    Algorithmic thinking
2.1.2 Designing, creating and refining algorithms
Identify the inputs, processes, and outputs for a problem
Structure diagrams
Create, interpret, correct, complete, and refine algorithms using:

    Pseudocode
    Flowcharts
    Reference language/high-level programming language

Identify common errors
Trace tables

2.1.3 Searching and sorting algorithms
Standard searching algorithms:

    Binary search
    Linear search

Standard sorting algorithms:

    Bubble sort
    Merge sort
    Insertion sort

Recommended Resources

2.1.1 Computational thinking

Abstraction, Decomposition and Structure Diagrams

Any software developer, working on a new project will need to take time to step back and think before going straight into programming mode and writing their first line of code! Their first step will be to consider their new … Continue reading


Structure Diagram for an online-shop

An online-shop or e-commerce website is a complex web-based system that includes many functionalities. In order to design such a complex system. it is essential to think think abstractly to simplify the system we want to create and to break … Continue reading


Pizza Robot – Flowchart

In this blog post we will design our own algorithms using both pseudo-code and flowcharts. When given a problem to solve using a computer program you need to think about? What are the main steps required to solve this program? … Continue reading


2.1.2 Designing, creating and refining algorithms
The Marauder’s Map The Jorvik Viking Settlement The Legend of Pachacutie’s Golden Shield The Lost Roman Sundial Tutankhamun Mission MI6 Blackbeard’s Hidden Treasures Code Breaker Challenges – Series 1 Code Breaker Challenges – Series 2 Code Breaker Challenges – Series 3

Flowchart Prediction Tables

For each of the following flowcharts complete the matching prediction table to work out the expected output based on the given input values. Did you like this challenge? Click on a star to rate it! Submit Rating Average rating 2.6 … Continue reading


Using Trace Tables

A trace table is a technique used to test an algorithm and predict step by step how the computer will run the algorithm. It can be used to understand or predict what an algorithm is doing and to identify potential … Continue reading


Trace Tables Challenge Flags of the world (Flowchart) Murder Mystery

2.1.3 Searching and sorting algorithms

Bubble Sort vs. Insertion Sort

Computers are often used to sort large amounts of data (e.g. numerical order or alphabetical order). Though this may seem like a simple task to complete, a lot of research has focused on finding the most effective approach to sort … Continue reading


Merge Sort Algorithm

Computers are often used to process large amounts of data. Some of the tasks they can be used for is to sort data sets in order, e.g. numerical order or alphabetical order. Though this may seem like a simple task … Continue reading


Sorting Algorithms

Computers are often used to process large amounts of data. Some of the tasks they can be used for is to sort data sets in order, e.g. numerical order or alphabetical order. Though this may seem like a simple task … Continue reading


Searching & Sorting Algorithms Practice

The searching and sorting algorithms are key algorithms that you will study in computer science. Most computer programs involve some searching and sorting features so these key algorithms are often used when coding various computer programs. Searching and sorting algorithms … Continue reading


Linear Search Functions

For this programming challenge we will investigate different functions which will all be based on a linear search algorithm. Let’s consider a teacher who has decided to keep track of rewards issued to their students throughout the term by adding … Continue reading


BubbleSort Algorithm – Visualisation Insertion Sort Algorithm – Visualisation

Further Reading…

Extra Resources
Sorting Algorithms – Python Code Sorting Playing Cards Shuffling Algorithm (Python Challenge) The Sorting Balance Interactive Bubble Sort Interactive Insertion Sort

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