Sequence 10 — Advanced Programming Techniques

Exception handling, stack frames and recursion. Builds on Year 12 functions/parameters and is foundational for robust NEA program design. AQA 4.1.1.9, 4.1.1.15, 4.1.1.16.

Robust Programming & Exception Handling

  • Explain runtime, syntax and logic errors
  • Distinguish input validation from exception handling
Lesson ready

Advanced Exception Handling

  • Produce meaningful error messages
  • Write robust, user-friendly programs
Lesson ready

Understanding Stack Frames

  • Explain how the call stack stores return addresses, parameters and local variables during function calls
Lesson ready

Introduction to Recursion

  • Explain recursion
  • Identify base and recursive cases
Lesson ready

Writing Recursive Functions

  • Implement recursive solutions correctly
  • Avoid infinite recursion
Lesson ready

Recursive Algorithms

  • Apply recursion to searching algorithms
  • Prepare for later algorithm units
Lesson ready

Consolidating Advanced Programming Techniques

  • Integrate exception handling, stack-frame understanding and recursion within larger programs
Lesson ready