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1.3 Data: its representation, structure and management

Content & Learning outcomes
1.3.1 Data types
(a)  explain the use of codes to represent a character set (e.g. ASCII and Unicode)
(b)  explain the representation of different data types: integer, Boolean, date/time, currency and character
(c)  express positive integers in binary form

1.3.2 Data structures
(d)   understand the structure of arrays (one and two dimensional), including initialising arrays, reading data
into arrays and performing a simple serial search on an array
(e)  describe the LIFO and FIFO features of stacks and queues

1.3.3 Data management
(f)  explain how data is stored in files in the form of fixed length records comprising items in fields
(g)   define and explain the difference between serial, sequential, indexed sequential and random access
to data, using examples and stating their comparative advantages and disadvantages
(h)   describe how serial, sequential and random organisation of files may be implemented using indexes
and hashing as appropriate
(i)   select appropriate data types/data structures for a given problem and explain the advantages and
disadvantages of alternative choices(j)   explain the procedures involved in backing up data and archiving, including the difference between
data that is backed up and data that is archived