For topic 4 , understanding and using Pseudocode is very important. There are two official IB pseudocode guides (see links page), and an online version to help you practice (thanks to Dave Mulkey of FIS!)
Click on the Topic code (e.g. 4.1.1) to download the class slideshow on that topic:
4.1 – General Principals (HL & SL)
| Point | Description | More | |
| Thinking procedurally | |||
| 4.1.1 | Identify the procedure appropriate to solving a problem | 4.1.1 | |
| 4.1.2 | Evaluate whether the order in which activities are undertaken will result in the required outcome | 4.1.2 | |
| 4.1.3 | Explain the role of sub-procedures in solving a problem | 4.1.3 | |
| Thinking logically | |||
| 4.1.4 | Identify when decision-making is required in a specified situation | 4.1.4 | |
| 4.1.5 | Identify the decisions required for the solution to a specified problem | 4.1.5 | |
| 4.1.6 | Identify the condition associated with a given decision in a specified problem | 4.1.6 | |
| 4.1.7 | Explain the relationship between the decisions and conditions of a system | 4.1.7 | |
| 4.1.8 | Deduce logical rules for real-world situations | 4.1.8 | |
| Thinking ahead | |||
| 4.1.9 | Identify the inputs and outputs required in a solution | 4.1.9 | |
| 4.1.10 | Identify pre-planning in a suggested problem and solution | 4.1.10 | |
| 4.1.11 | Explain the need for pre-conditions when executing an algorithm | 4.1.11 | |
| 4.1.12 | Outline the pre- and post-conditions to a specified problem | 4.1.12 | |
| 4.1.13 | Identify exceptions that need to be considered in a specified problem solution | 4.1.13 | |
| Thinking concurrently | |||
| 4.1.14 | Identify the parts of a solution that could be implemented concurrently | 4.1.14 | |
| 4.1.15 | Describe how concurrent processing can be used to solve a problem | 4.1.15 | |
| 4.1.16 | Evaluate the decision to use concurrent processing in solving a problem | 4.1.16 | |
| Thinking abstractly | |||
| 4.1.17 | Identify examples of abstraction | 4.1.17 | |
| 4.1.18 | Explain why abstraction is required in the derivation of computational solutions for a specified situation | 4.1.18 | |
| 4.1.19 | Construct an abstraction from a specified situation | 4.1.19 | |
| 4.1.20 | Distinguish between a real-world entity and its abstraction | 4.1.20 | |
4.2 – Connecting computational thinking and program design (HL & SL)
| Point | Description | More | |
| 4.2.1 | Describe the characteristics of standard algorithms on linear arrays | 4.2.1 | |
| 4.2.2 | Outline the standard operations of collections | 4.2.2 | |
| 4.2.3 | Discuss an algorithm to solve a specific problem | 4.2.3 | |
| 4.2.4 | Analyse an algorithm presented as a flow chart | 4.2.4 | |
| 4.2.5 | Analyse an algorithm presented as pseudocode | 4.2.5 | |
| 4.2.6 | Construct pseudocode to represent an algorithm | 4.2.6 | |
| 4.2.7 | Suggest suitable algorithms to solve a specific problem | 4.2.7 | |
| 4.2.8 | Deduce the efficiency of an algorithm in the context of its use | 4.2.8 | |
| 4.2.9 | Determine the number of times a step in an algorithm will be performed for given input data | 4.2.9 |
4.3 – Introduction to programming (HL & SL)
| Point | Description | More | |
| Nature of programming languages | |||
| 4.3.1 | State the fundamental operations of a computer | 4.3.1 | |
| 4.3.2 | Distinguish between fundamental and compound operations of a computer | 4.3.2 | |
| 4.3.3 | Explain the essential features of a computer language | 4.3.3 | |
| 4.3.4 | Explain the need for higher level languages | 4.3.4 | |
| 4.3.5 | Outline the need for a translation process from a higher level language to machine executable code | 4.3.5 | |
| Use of programming languages | |||
| 4.3.6 | Define the terms: variable, constant, operator, object | 4.3.6 | |
| 4.3.7 | Define the operators =, ., <, <=, >, >=, mod, div | 4.3.7 | |
| 4.3.8 | Analyse the use of variables, constants and operators in algorithms | 4.3.8 | |
| 4.3.9 | Construct algorithms using loops, branching | 4.3.9 | |
| 4.3.10 | Describe the characteristics and applications of a collection | 4.3.10 | |
| 4.3.11 | Construct algorithms using the access methods of a collection | 4.3.11 | |
| 4.3.12 | Discuss the need for sub-programmes and collections within programmed solutions | 4.3.12 | |
| 4.3.13 | Construct algorithms using predefined sub-programmes, one-dimensional arrays and/or collections | 4.3.13 | |