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: 

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  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 
    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 
    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. Action for Blind and Disabled 
    3. Aspirations Communication Training CC 
    4. Atvance Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    5. Balefile Trading and Services 
    6. Bokamoso Skills and Economic Development Centre 
    7. College Africa Group (Pty) Ltd 
    8. Eagle Computer Training 
    9. Ekasi IT Solutions Centre 
    10. Ekurhuleni Artisans and Skills Training Centre Pty Ltd 
    11. Elangeni Training Institute 
    12. Elchees Software Solutions 
    13. Eshybrand Pty Ltd 
    14. EYETHU NATIONAL COMPUTER COLLEGE PTY LTD 
    15. Fachs Business Consulting and Training 
    16. Finweb Business Consultancy 
    17. Foster-Melliar (Pty) Ltd 
    18. Fourways Private College 
    19. Global Institute for Capacity 
    20. HAVOHEJ CONSULTANCY 
    21. Hazyview Computer College 
    22. HILLCROSS BUSINESS SCHOOL (PTY 
    23. Hlanganani ICT (Pty) Ltd 
    24. Ikusasalethu Youth Development Project NPC 
    25. Inqubeko Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    26. IT Academy 
    27. Jeppe College of Commerce and 
    28. K Boneng Consulting Services P 
    29. K Centre Business Enterprise (PTY) LTD 
    30. Loomee Group 
    31. Masakhane Training and Consult 
    32. Mogapi Education Group (Pty) Ltd 
    33. Moving Ahead Development Agenc 
    34. Musengavhadzimu Media 
    35. Natfin Holdings Pty Ltd 
    36. Ndulita Solutions 
    37. Nedbank Ltd 
    38. Octomate Education Pty Ltd 
    39. Polokwane Technology Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    40. PRX SCHOOL TEST 
    41. QUALITATIVE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS 
    42. QUARPHIX (PTY) LTD 
    43. Redefine Human Capital (PTY) L 
    44. Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology Pty Ltd 
    45. Rostec Technical FET College (Pty) Ltd 
    46. Sabile Human Resources Consult 
    47. SANDM IT TRAINING (PTY) LTD 
    48. Silulo Ulutho Technologies 
    49. Synergistic Covenant Network NPO 
    50. Techtisa (pty) Ltd 
    51. The Finishing College (Pty) Lt 
    52. Titan Trade Technologies 
    53. TORQUE TECHNICAL COMPUTER TRAINING PTY LTD 
    54. Varsity Institute of Science & Technology (Pty)Ltd 
    55. VSS College (Pty) LTD 
    56. Wellinkwise Pty Ltd 
    57. Whitestone College 
    58. ZA WIT (PTY) LTD 
    59. Zealot Business College 


    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.