Program development life cycle: IGCSE Computer Science questions with answers
Free Program development life cycle questions for IGCSE Computer Science (0478), part of Algorithms & programming. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.
A developer is creating a library book-loan system.
(a)
The program development life cycle has four stages. Name the four stages in order.
[2]
(b)
State one activity, or one tool used, in the design stage.
[1]
(c)
Decompose the system into its main sub-systems by drawing a structure diagram with a library book-loan system at the top and at least three sub-systems below it.
[3]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
analysis, design, coding, testing
All four stages named B1 in the correct order B1
2
(b)
structure diagrams / flowcharts / pseudocode
structure diagrams / flowcharts / pseudocode B1
1
(c)
Top box: the system; below it, e.g. find a book, record a loan, record a return, calculate a late fine
Top-level box naming the system B1 At least three suitable sub-systems on the next level, e.g. find a book / record a loan / record a return B1 Correct hierarchical structure (lines from the top box to each sub-system) B1
3
Question 2Structured · 2 marks
(a)
State what is meant by the term decomposition.
[1]
(b)
State what is meant by the term abstraction.
[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
Breaking a problem down into smaller sub-problems
Breaking a problem down into smaller sub-problems B1
1
(b)
Removing unnecessary detail to focus on the important parts of a problem
Removing unnecessary detail to focus on the important parts of a problem B1
1
Question 3Structured · 6 marks
A developer is creating an online quiz for students.
(a)
The program development life cycle has four stages. Name the four stages in order.
[2]
(b)
State one activity, or one tool used, in the coding stage.
[1]
(c)
Decompose the system into its main sub-systems by drawing a structure diagram with an online quiz for students at the top and at least three sub-systems below it.
[3]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
analysis, design, coding, testing
All four stages named B1 in the correct order B1
2
(b)
writing program code / iterative testing
writing program code / iterative testing B1
1
(c)
Top box: the system; below it, e.g. register a student, set questions, mark answers, display the score
Top-level box naming the system B1 At least three suitable sub-systems on the next level, e.g. register a student / set questions / mark answers B1 Correct hierarchical structure (lines from the top box to each sub-system) B1
3
Question 4Structured · 2 marks
(a)
State what is meant by the term abstraction.
[1]
(b)
State what is meant by the term decomposition.
[1]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
Removing unnecessary detail to focus on the important parts of a problem
Removing unnecessary detail to focus on the important parts of a problem B1
1
(b)
Breaking a problem down into smaller sub-problems
Breaking a problem down into smaller sub-problems B1
1
Question 5Structured · 6 marks
A developer is creating a car-park ticket machine.
(a)
The program development life cycle has four stages. Name the four stages in order.
[2]
(b)
State one activity, or one tool used, in the coding stage.
[1]
(c)
Decompose the system into its main sub-systems by drawing a structure diagram with a car-park ticket machine at the top and at least three sub-systems below it.
[3]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
analysis, design, coding, testing
All four stages named B1 in the correct order B1
2
(b)
writing program code / iterative testing
writing program code / iterative testing B1
1
(c)
Top box: the system; below it, e.g. record the entry time, calculate the charge, take payment, print a receipt
Top-level box naming the system B1 At least three suitable sub-systems on the next level, e.g. record the entry time / calculate the charge / take payment B1 Correct hierarchical structure (lines from the top box to each sub-system) B1
3
Question 6Structured · 6 marks
A developer is creating a school canteen ordering app.
(a)
The program development life cycle has four stages. Name the four stages in order.
[2]
(b)
State one activity, or one tool used, in the coding stage.
[1]
(c)
Decompose the system into its main sub-systems by drawing a structure diagram with a school canteen ordering app at the top and at least three sub-systems below it.
[3]
Show answers and mark scheme
Part
Answer and marking points
Marks
(a)
analysis, design, coding, testing
All four stages named B1 in the correct order B1
2
(b)
writing program code / iterative testing
writing program code / iterative testing B1
1
(c)
Top box: the system; below it, e.g. show the menu, take an order, check the account balance, print the order
Top-level box naming the system B1 At least three suitable sub-systems on the next level, e.g. show the menu / take an order / check the account balance B1 Correct hierarchical structure (lines from the top box to each sub-system) B1
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Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in