3_2_6 Data Structures
You should be able to:
- Understand the concept of data structures.
- Use arrays (or equivalent) in the design of solutions to simple problems.
- Use records (or equivalent) in the design of solutions to simple problems.
REVISE:
Data Structures and Arrays
Re-visit 8_1_6
Records
A simple way to create a record using Python is to use a 2-dimensional (2d) array. You might have used a 2d array if you have ever made a noughts and crosses game:
ox = [
["x", "x", "x"],
["o", "o", "o"],
["x", "o", "x"],
]
for item in ox:
print (item)
This code just prints a simple board with the noughts and crosses already entered.
A record stores data on one person, object or theme. A record could be created to store the game scores of different players.
scores = [
["PLAYER", "SCORE"],
["DinoFish", 23],
["JungleQ", 94],
]
for item in scores:
print (item)
Slightly advanced...
You can create records using arrays and link items together with their index numbers. The code below shows an example of this:
films = []
genres = []
durations = []
filmsToAdd = True
while filmsToAdd: # adds the film details to each array
film = input("Name the film :")
films.append(film)
genre = input("What is the genre :")
genres.append(genre)
duration = input("What is the duration :")
durations.append(duration)
another=input("Would you like to add another film? Y/N").upper()
if another =="N":
filmsToAdd = False
for x in range (0,len(films)): # prints each record in turn
print ("Film ID: "+str(x))
print (films[x])
print (genres[x])
print (durations[x])
TEST:
- Download and print the test paper here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5fLtQ0Xgr2PNFpQQndPRDRUcnc
- Try the mock test yourself.
- Use the 3.2.6 Walking Talking Mock below to guide you through answering the questions.
Programming Task
Choose a database theme to create from the list below:
- Computer Games
- TV Box Sets
- Books
- Car Types
- Members of a gym
Using the "slightly advanced" code above as a starting point, create a database for you chosen theme.
Extra Mile
Can you ensure that the data is also validated? See 9_2_2 for help with this.
SOURCE RECOGNITION - PLEASE NOTE: The examination examples used in these walking talking mocks are samples from AQA from their non-confidential section of the public site. They also contain questions designed by TeachIT for AQA as part of the publicly available lesson materials.