What is machine code?

Machine code is binary instructions that the CPU can execute directly. Every program must be in machine code before it can run.

What is assembly language?

Assembly language uses short mnemonics such as ADD and SUB in place of binary instructions. Each assembly instruction usually matches one machine code instruction.

Why are most programs written in high-level languages?

High-level code is easier to read, write and debug than low-level code. One line of high-level code can do the work of many machine code instructions.

Why is high-level code described as portable?

The same source code can be translated to run on different types of processor. Low-level code is tied to one processor family.

Edexcel GCSE Computer Science 1CP2

Computational Thinking

Topic overview Decomposition, abstraction and subprograms Algorithms, flowcharts and pseudocode Operators and trace tables Logic errors, test data and efficiency Searching and sorting algorithms Truth tables

Data

Topic overview Binary, states and unsigned integers Two's complement Binary addition, overflow and shifts Hexadecimal ASCII and the limits of binary representation Bitmap images Sound sampling Storage units, file sizes and compression

Computers

Topic overview Von Neumann architecture and the fetch-decode-execute cycle Secondary storage: magnetic, optical and solid state Embedded systems Operating systems Utility software and robust software Low-level and high-level languages and translators

Networks

Topic overview LANs, WANs and the structure of the internet Wired and wireless connectivity and network speed Network protocols The four-layer TCP/IP model Bus, star and mesh topologies Network security and protection

Issues and Impact

Topic overview Environmental impact of digital devices Personal data: privacy, ownership and consent Artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics Intellectual property: copyright, patents, trademarks and licences Malware, hacking and social engineering Protecting digital systems and data

Problem Solving with Programming

Topic overview Readable code, debugging and testing Selection and loops in Python Data types, conversion, variables and constants String handling Lists, two-dimensional lists and records Keyboard input, screen output and CSV files Validation and authentication in Python Operators, functions and variable scope Turtle graphics

Computers

Low-level and high-level languages and translators

3 things to know
Paper 1

Overview

High-level and low-level languages, machine code and assembly language, portability, and how compilers and interpreters translate code and report errors.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

How do high-level and low-level languages differ, with an example of each?

Key term

What is a high-level programming language?

Key term

What is a low-level programming language?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is a high-level programming language?
Model answer
A high-level language uses English-like keywords and familiar mathematical notation. Python is an example of a high-level language.
2
What is a low-level programming language?
Model answer
A low-level language is close to the instructions the CPU actually carries out. Machine code and assembly language are low-level languages.
3
What is machine code?
Model answer
Machine code is binary instructions that the CPU can execute directly. Every program must be in machine code before it can run.
4
What is assembly language?
Model answer
Assembly language uses short mnemonics such as ADD and SUB in place of binary instructions. Each assembly instruction usually matches one machine code instruction.
5
Why are most programs written in high-level languages?
Model answer
High-level code is easier to read, write and debug than low-level code. One line of high-level code can do the work of many machine code instructions.
6
Why is high-level code described as portable?
Model answer
The same source code can be translated to run on different types of processor. Low-level code is tied to one processor family.

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