SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Apply the principles of Computer Programming 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
14910  Apply the principles of Computer Programming 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Information Systems and Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular-Fundamental  Level 4  NQF Level 04  8 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is intended:
  • to demonstrate the application of knowledge of the areas covered
  • for those working in, or entering the workplace in the area of systems development.

    People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • apply fundamental principles of problem analysis
  • demonstrate an understanding of different data representations used in computer programs
  • demonstrate an understanding of fundamental programming principles
  • demonstrate an understanding of high level programming language concepts
    The performance of all elements is to a standard that allows for further learning in this area. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Open.
    The credit value of this unit is based on a person having the prior knowledge and skills to:
  • demonstrate an understanding of fundamental mathematics and English (at least NQF level 2)
  • demonstrate PC competency skills (End User Computing unit standards)
  • describe the principles of Computer Programming. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Operate computer programming development tools. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Editor, Syntax checking, Compiling. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The operation demonstrates the use of the editor of the development tools to produce program source code. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Any editor chosen by the learner, applying to programming language used.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The operation includes the use of the syntax checker of the tools to check for syntax errors. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Any editor chosen by the learner, applying to programming language used.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The operation uses the tool to compile the program source code produced. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    User written code, standard functions, library functions.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Demonstrate an understanding of different data representations used in computer programs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The demonstration applies different number conversion techniques between data types (at least 2). 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Binary, Decimal, Hexadecimal, Octal.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The demonstration compares different logical data types (at least 3) in a language of choice (incl. pseudo code). 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Numeric, Alphabetic, Alpha numeric, Boolean.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The demonstration differentiate between different internal representations of data types (in ASCII). 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Signed numbers, Floating point numbers.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The demonstration distinguishes between different logical operators (at least 2). 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    And, Or, Not .
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental programming principles. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The demonstration illustrates the differences between the various algorithmic structures of programming languages, using a language of choice (incl. Pseudo code). 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sequential, Selection, Loops.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The demonstration compares good & bad program documentation principles (at least 3), using a language of choice (incl. Pseudo code) where needed. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    General readability, Meaningful variable names, indentation, program comments.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The demonstration illustrates good programming quality assurance principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Syntax check, Test data & Test plan.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Demonstrate an understanding of high level programming language concepts. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    High level language of choice or Structured use of language (Pseudo code) 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The demonstration explains what is understood by constants and variables. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Constants maintain fixed values; Variables have changing values.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The demonstration illustrates the concepts of operators and expressions. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Arithmetic operators (+ - * / ), Logical operators (= <> ), execution sequence.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The demonstration illustrates different modular programming features and variable passing. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Standard functions, Procedures without variables, Global and Local variables.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The demonstration applies different debugging techniques. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Trace tables, Appropriate test data, Structured walk-through's.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The relevant Education and Training Quality Authoriy (ETQA) must accredit providers before they can offer programs of education and training assessed against unit standards.

    Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    1. Performance of all elements is to be carried out in accordance with organisation standards and procedures, unless otherwise stated. Organisation standards and procedures may cover: quality assurance, documentation, security, communication, health and safety, and personal behaviour. An example of the standards expected is the standards found in ISO 9000 Certified Organisations.
    2. Performance of all elements complies with the laws of South Africa, especially with regard to copyright, privacy, health and safety, and consumer rights.
    3. All activities must comply with any policies, procedures and requirements of the organisations involved, the ethical codes of relevant professional bodies and any relevant legislative and/ or regulatory requirements
    4. Performance of all elements is to be completed within the normal range of time and cost that would be expected in a professional environment (eg. In a commercial or government organisation).
    5. Performance of all elements should be performed with a solid understanding of the use of development tools needed in the areas applicable to the unit standard. Examples of such tools are, but are not limited to CASE tools, programming language editors with syntax checking, program source version control systems.
    6. Performance of all elements should make use of International capability models used for Software Development. Examples of such models include (but are not limited to) the ISO SPICE model as well as the CMM model for Software Development. 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify, solve problems and make decisions in relation to the current systems development environments. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage him/her self and his/her activities responsibly and effectively. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise, and critically evaluate information. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and or language skills in the modes of oral and/ or written persuasion when engaging with systems development. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving contexts do not exists in isolation. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    Contribute to his/her full personal development and the social and economic development of the society at large by being aware of the importance of: reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively, exploring education and career opportunities and developing entrepreneurial opportunities. 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Supplementary information: ?
  • High level language refers to any programming language from 3rd generation or higher
  • Structured use of language and pseudo code have equal meaning
  • EBCDIC internal representations will be covered by a higher level standard
  • Where not specified otherwise, all options in the range statement must be covered to confirm that a learner is competent in the specific outcome

    Sub-Sub-Field (Domain) :Systems Development. 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49627   Further Education and Training Certificate: e Records Management  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2012-06-30   
    Core  78965   Further Education and Training Certificate: Information Technology: Systems Development  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Core  24294   Further Education and Training Certificate: Information Technology: Systems Development  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2010-01-23  Was MICTS until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  20185   Further Education and Training Certificate: Banking  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  BANKSETA 
    Elective  63589   National Diploma: Geographical Information Science  Level 5  NQF Level 05  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  CETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
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    62. RIAPHATHUTSHEDZA 
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    69. SUCCESS BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL CC 
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    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.