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SingaporeComputer Science

Programming in Python

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do functions package code with parameters and return values, and why do they help?

Define and call Python functions with parameters and return values, and explain the benefits of using functions
A focused answer to the O-Level Computing point on Python functions. Defining functions with def, passing parameters, returning values, the difference between a parameter and an argument, and why functions make programs reusable.
7 min answer →

How do Python lists and strings store and index sequences of data?

Use Python lists and strings, including indexing, length, looping over items, and basic operations like append and slicing
A focused answer to the O-Level Computing point on Python lists and strings. Creating lists, zero-based indexing, finding length with len(), looping over items, appending, and basic string operations and slicing.
7 min answer →

How do Python for and while loops repeat code, and when should each be used?

Use Python for loops with range and while loops with a condition, including accumulators and avoiding infinite loops
A focused answer to the O-Level Computing point on Python loops. Using for with range for a known count, while with a condition for an unknown count, building accumulators, and avoiding infinite loops.
7 min answer →

How does Python make decisions with if, elif and else, and how do we build conditions?

Use Python selection with if, elif and else, build conditions with comparison and logical operators, and order branches correctly
A focused answer to the O-Level Computing point on Python selection. Using if, elif and else, comparison operators, combining conditions with and, or and not, and ordering branches so each value falls into the right one.
7 min answer →

How do variables store data in Python, and what are the main data types?

Declare and use Python variables, identify the core data types (int, float, str, bool), and convert between them
A focused answer to the O-Level Computing point on Python variables. Assigning variables, the core data types int, float, str and bool, reading input as a string, and converting between types with int(), float() and str().
7 min answer →