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: 

Explain how data is stored on computers 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
14944  Explain how data is stored on computers 
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  7 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Reregistered  2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 conceptual knowledge of the areas covered
  • for those working in, or entering the workplace in the area of Information Systems and Technology Management
  • as additional knowledge for those wanting to understand the areas covered

    People credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Describe the roles of IS departments in organisations
  • Describe the structures of IS departments in organisations
    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 
    The credit value of this unit is based on a person having 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, at least up to NQF level 3). 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate an understanding of computer data types. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The demonstration distinguishes between data types and includes examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Bits (0,1) , Bytes, Numbers , Integers (+- values, whole items), Floating point (temperature, voltage, etc), Boolean (0/1 on/off).
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The description of the use of coding systems in a business environment distinguishes categories of coding systems and includes examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    BCD, EBCDIC (IBM mainframes), ASCII (micro & mini computers), UNICODE.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The demonstration illustrates how data manipulation operations are performed on data types. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Describe computer data structures. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    1. The description distinguishes types of computer data structures and identifies examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Bits, Bytes, Characters, Fields, Records, Files, Databases.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    2. The description distinguishes types of computer files and identifies examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Master, Transaction, Temporary, Document , Serial, Sequential, Indexed, Direct.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    3. The description distinguishes types of computer databases and identifies examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Hierarchical, Network, Relational, SQL (Completeness, Non-redundancy, Structure).
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The relevant Education and Training Quality Authority (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.
    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 is not limited to CASE tools, programming language editors with syntax checking, program source version control systems systems.
    5. Performance of all elements should make use of International capability models used for Software Development. Examples of such models include (but is not limited to) the ISO SPICE model as well as the CMM model for Software Development. 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    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 SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others. 

    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 
    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  78965   Further Education and Training Certificate: Information Technology: Systems Development  Level 4  NQF Level 04  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 
    Core  78964   Further Education and Training Certificate: Information Technology: Technical Support  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2023-06-30  MICTS 
    Core  24293   National Certificate: Information Technology: Technical Support  Level 4  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2010-01-23  Was MICTS until Last Date for Achievement 
    Elective  50479   Further Education and Training Certificate: Advertising  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Reregistered  2023-06-30  MICTS 


    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 of Training and Development 
    2. Afedile M Learning Centre (Pty) Ltd 
    3. Amitek Business College 
    4. Ankalite (Pty) Limited 
    5. Arise Business Centre 
    6. Artshub Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    7. ATTI Nelspruit Pty Ltd 
    8. AUM IT Solutions 
    9. Bophelo Tota ICT Driving Academy (Pty) Ltd 
    10. Broadband College of Technology 
    11. Bytes People Solutions A Division of Altron TMT (Pty) Ltd 
    12. Calandra Trading 523(PTY) 
    13. Claas Illustration 
    14. Competence computer and business management 
    15. CTU Training Solutions 
    16. Daily Training Cc 
    17. DC Dynamic College of Commerce & Further Training (Pty) Ltd 
    18. DVG Property (Pty)Ltd 
    19. Ekasi IT Solutions CC 
    20. Fakazani Management Services 
    21. Falcon Business Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    22. Footprint Media academy Pty ltd 
    23. Forek Institute of Technology (Pty) Ltd 
    24. Gabasega Consulting and Training Centre 
    25. Gauteng College of Engineering and Technology (PTY) LTD 
    26. Gegana Computer Academy and Business Solutions cc 
    27. Golden Step Campus (Pty) Ltd. 
    28. iLearn Corporate Services PTY LTD 
    29. Information Technology Resource Centre 
    30. iSolve Business Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    31. Jeppe College of Commerce and Computer Studies 
    32. Johannesburg Institute of Engineering & Technology 
    33. Kezla Investments 
    34. King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College 
    35. Leseding Computer Systems (Pty) Ltd 
    36. Limco Consulting and management (Pty) Ltd 
    37. M-cot Corporate Training 
    38. Malope IT Solutions 
    39. Mass Computer Training And Printers 
    40. MasterGrade IT 
    41. Mosadikago Trading Cc 
    42. National Computer College Carletonville 
    43. National Computer College Cc 
    44. NEMISA 
    45. Ngubeni Corporation 
    46. Ocule IT cc 
    47. On the Ball College Pty ltd 
    48. Overcomers Training College (Pty) Ltd 
    49. Prophesy Training College (Pty) Ltd 
    50. PROSERV SA (PTY) LTD 
    51. Qhakaza Management Services 
    52. Rand Training College 
    53. SEDIBENG 
    54. Sivile Housing Association RSA 
    55. Springfield Training (Pty) Ltd 
    56. Star Light Consulting 
    57. Success Christian Training Centre 
    58. Taal-Net Training Institute 
    59. Titan Trade Technologies (Pty) Ltd 
    60. Torque Technical Computer Training (Pty) Ltd 
    61. Tshwane College of Commerce and Computer 
    62. Umbuso Training Services (Pty) Ltd. 
    63. Whitestone College 
    64. ZJ Africa Learn (Pty) Ltd 


    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.