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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Describe the principles of Computer Programming 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
14918  Describe 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 3  NQF Level 03  5 
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 provide a conceptual knowledge of the areas covered
  • for those entering the workplace in the area of systems development
  • as additional knowledge for those wanting to understand the areas covered

    People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • describe problem analysis and program design techniques
  • describe different data representations used in computer programs
  • describe basic programming principles
  • described the principles used in designing a computer program
    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 (at least NQF level 3)
  • Demonstrate PC competency skills (End User Computing unit standards up to Level 3). 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Describe problem analysis and program design techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The description provides an appreciation of the steps and techniques of program maintenance. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Understand problem, devise plan, carry out plan, review solution, apply change, test & implement.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The description identifies different problem analysis techniques (at least 2). 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Problem definition, Hierarchical (Top-Down) approach, Stepwise refinement, Modularity.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The description identifies different programming design techniques. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Flow charts, Structured use of language (Pseudo code).
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe different data representations used in computer programs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The description distinguishes between different numeric data types (at least 3). 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Binary, Decimal, Hexadecimal, Octal.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The description identifies different logical data types. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Numeric, Alphabetic, Alpha numeric, Boolean
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The description distinguishes between different internal representations of data types. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Bit, Byte, Word.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The description identifies different logical operators. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    4. And, Or, Not.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the basic principles of Computer Programming. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The description identifies different algorithmic structures of programming languages. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sequential, Selection, Loops.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The description identifies good program documentation principles (at least 3). 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    General readability, Meaningful variable names, indentation, program comments.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The description identifies programming quality assurance (QA) principles. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Syntax checking, Test data & test plan.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The description distinguishes between validation and verification. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    5. The description explains the relationship between files, records and fields. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Describe the principles used in designing a computer program. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The description identifies methods of specifying problems. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    program structure diagrams, decision trees, decision tables, use cases, pseudo code.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The description explains techniques used to research problems in terms of inputs and outputs. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    HIPO, Object-event diagrams, UML actors.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The description includes an evaluation of the viability of developing computer programs to solve problems and it identifies the issues in assessing the viability. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    4. The description explains the features of a computer program that could solve a given problem. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Batch/online, User Interface Type, Keyboard/mouse driven.
     


    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 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.
    5. 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 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:
  • Structured use of language and pseudo code have equal meaning
  • 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  20184   National Certificate: Banking  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  BANKSETA 
    Elective  61591   National Certificate: Information Technology: End User Computing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual 


    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.
     
    1. Academy at Vaal Triangle (AVT 
    2. Academy Training Group 
    3. Action for Blind and Disabled 
    4. Action4 
    5. Affirmations Training 
    6. Africa Learn (Pty) Ltd 
    7. Afrika Tikkun NCC 
    8. Amilak Training Center 
    9. ASMO INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS AN 
    10. Aspirations Communication Training CC 
    11. ATTI Nelspruit Pty Ltd 
    12. Atvance Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    13. Balefile Trading and Services 
    14. Basadipele Skills Development and Training 
    15. BEE Clinic Pty Ltd 
    16. Bells Technical College 
    17. Bokamoso Skills and Economic Development Centre 
    18. Brainwave Projects 1430 cc 
    19. Business Optimization Training Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    20. Careers IT 
    21. CENTRE FOR EXCELLENCE & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING 
    22. CHILI PEPPER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS 
    23. Clean Heat Academy 
    24. College Africa Group (Pty) Ltd 
    25. Columbus Consulting Pty Ltd 
    26. Common Vision Young Specialist Trading cc 
    27. COMPUSTEPS COLLEGE (PTY) LTD 
    28. CSL Accountants 
    29. CTU Training Solutions 
    30. DC Academy (PTY)LTD 
    31. Decade Pulse (Pty) Ltd 
    32. Dee's Training (Pty) Ltd 
    33. Delight Computer Training 
    34. Eagle Computer Training 
    35. EAST LONDON MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE 
    36. ED-U Options Academy 
    37. Ekasi IT Solutions Centre 
    38. Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training Centre Pty Ltd 
    39. Elangeni Training Institute 
    40. Elchees Software Solutions 
    41. Emalahleni Institute of Techno 
    42. Epitome Villa (Pty)Ltd 
    43. Eshybrand Pty Ltd 
    44. EYETHU NATIONAL COMPUTER COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    45. Fachs Business Consulting and Training 
    46. Finweb Business Consultancy 
    47. Foster-Melliar (Pty) Ltd 
    48. Fourways Private College 
    49. Futurekids SA (Fochville) 
    50. Gigimo Tourism Academy 
    51. Global Institute for Capacity 
    52. Greater Tzaneen Community Foundation 
    53. HAVOHEJ CONSULTANCY 
    54. Hazyview Computer College 
    55. HILLCROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (PTY 
    56. Hlanganani ICT (Pty) Ltd 
    57. Home of Compassion/Grace Ministries 
    58. HUAWEI Technologies Africa (PTY) LTD 
    59. Ikusasalethu Youth Development Project NPC 
    60. iLearn Corporate Services PTY LTD 
    61. Information Technology Resource Centre 
    62. Inqubeko Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    63. IT Academy 
    64. IT-HI-Q Training (PTY) Ltd 
    65. Iyam Training Services 
    66. Jeppe College of Commerce and 
    67. K Boneng Consulting Services P 
    68. K Centre Business Enterprise (PTY) LTD 
    69. Keybase Training Solutions Cc 
    70. KN Training Specialist 
    71. KT Mobile Services 
    72. L and P Computer Academy Pty Ltd 
    73. LETAGO DEVELOPMENT CONSULTING 
    74. LIMPOPO COMPUTER COLLEGE BK 
    75. LINDAMAHLE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (PTY) LTD 
    76. Loomee Group 
    77. LYFE COMPUTER TECHNOLOGIES (PTY) LTD 
    78. Makhophila Training 
    79. Malope It Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    80. Masakhane Training and Consult 
    81. Mash Computer Training 
    82. MBOWA COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    83. Metanoia Ratings PTY LTD 
    84. MMELA VILLAGE TECHNOLOGIES (PT 
    85. Mogapi Education Group (Pty) Ltd 
    86. Motlhamme Executive Management 
    87. Moving Ahead Development Agenc 
    88. Mpande Technologies cc 
    89. Mufuka Business and Technical 
    90. Musengavhadzimu Media 
    91. Natfin Holdings Pty Ltd 
    92. NBC Technologies 
    93. NCC - Vereeniging 
    94. Ndulita Solutions 
    95. New Link Computer Skills 
    96. Nolwazi Stem Education for The 
    97. Ntandokazi Holdings Pty Ltd 
    98. NW Avuxeni Computer Academy 
    99. Nyathela Business College 
    100. Octomate Education Pty Ltd 
    101. Olrich Home of Technology 
    102. On the Ball College Pty ltd 
    103. OPELONG BUSINESS INSTITUTE (PT 
    104. Paramixed Pty Ltd 
    105. Peo Entle HIV Wellness Management and Youth Skills Development NPO 
    106. Pioneer Business Consulting 
    107. Polokwane Technology Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    108. Pretoria Technical College 
    109. Priha Projects Pty Ltd 
    110. Progressive School of Business 
    111. Prophesy Training College (Pty) Ltd 
    112. PRX SCHOOL TEST 
    113. QUALITATIVE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS 
    114. QUARPHIX (PTY) LTD 
    115. Ramotec Business College 
    116. Redefine Human Capital (PTY) L 
    117. Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology Pty Ltd 
    118. Rostec Technical FET College (Pty) Ltd 
    119. Sabile Human Resources Consult 
    120. SANDM IT TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    121. SED Computer Academy 
    122. Sesk Facilitation Development (PTY) LTD 
    123. SIGNA ACADEMY (PTY) LTD 
    124. Silulo Ulutho Technologies 
    125. Sisekelo Sustainability Institute 
    126. SIYAFUNDA COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY CENTRE NPC 
    127. SOUTH AFRICAN CORPORATE TRAINING ASSOCIATION (PTY) LTD 
    128. Spears Business and Life Couch Consulting (Pty) Ltd 
    129. SPLS Consultants (Pty) Ltd 
    130. SUCCESS BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL CC 
    131. SUPREME ICT CONSULTANTS 
    132. Synergistic Covenant Network NPO 
    133. Techtisa (pty) Ltd 
    134. Terrawood 
    135. Terry Computer Services cc 
    136. Thalita Koume Directions (Pty) Ltd 
    137. The Finishing College (Pty) Lt 
    138. Think Tank T2 (Pty) Ltd 
    139. Titan Trade Technologies 
    140. Tlou Foundation College 
    141. TORQUE TECHNICAL COMPUTER TRAINING PTY LTD 
    142. Trainers Without Borders 
    143. TSP COLLEGE 
    144. TURFLOOP TRAINING SERVICES CC 
    145. Ubuhlanti Sances Trading (Pty) Ltd 
    146. Ukwazi Academy and Corporate S 
    147. Umbrella Training and Development 
    148. Umbusi Consulting Services 
    149. UTHINGO BRITE SERVICES 
    150. Varsity Institute of Science & Technology (Pty)Ltd 
    151. Visionary Skill Academy 
    152. VSS College (Pty) LTD 
    153. Vukani Solutions 
    154. VUTHLARI MARKETING CONSULTING 
    155. Waterberg TVET College 
    156. Wellinkwise Pty Ltd 
    157. Whitestone College 
    158. Working Solution International 
    159. Xylo Trading 12 (Pty) Ltd 
    160. YITRO INNOVATIONS 
    161. Yonet Training Academy 
    162. ZA WIT (PTY) LTD 
    163. Zealot Business College 
    164. Zikode Development Trust 


    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.