Cambridge International AS & A Level: Computer Science 9618/42

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Cambridge International AS & A Level
COMPUTER SCIENCE 9618/42

Paper 4 Practical October/November 2023
MARK SCHEME
Maximum Mark: 75
Published
This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the
examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the
details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have
considered the acceptability of alternative answers.
Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for
Teachers.
Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes.
Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the October/November 2023 series for most
Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level components, and some Cambridge O Level
components.
This document consists of 34 printed pages.
© UCLES 2023 [Turn over

9618/42 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme www.dynamicpapers.com
October/November 2023
PUBLISHED
Generic Marking Principles
These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the
specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these
marking principles.
GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:
Marks must be awarded in line with:
• the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question
• the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question
• the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts.
Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions).
Marks must be awarded positively:
• marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond
the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate
• marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do
• marks are not deducted for errors
• marks are not deducted for omissions
• answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the
question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous.
Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level
descriptors.
© UCLES 2023 Page 2 of 34

PUBLISHED
Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may
be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen).
Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or
grade descriptors in mind.

PUBLISHED
Question Answer Marks
1(a)(i) One mark each 2

• Two arrays with correct identifiers of type string/character
• Each has 100 elements
Example program code:
Java
public static String[] StackVowel = new String[100];

public static String[] StackConsonant = new String[100];
VB.NET
Dim StackVowel(0 To 99) As Char

Dim StackConsonant(0 To 99) As Char
Python
StackVowel = [] #string 100

StackConsonant = [] #string 100

PUBLISHED
1(a)(ii) One mark for 1

• Declaring both variables as type integer global and initialised to 0
Java
public static Integer VowelTop = 0;

public static Integer ConsonantTop = 0;
VB.NET
Dim VowelTop As Integer = 0

Dim ConsonantTop As Integer = 0
Python
global VowelTop #integer

global ConsonantTop #integer
#main
VowelTop = 0
ConsonantTop = 0

PUBLISHED
1(b)(i) One mark each 6
• Procedure PushData() heading (and end where appropriate) taking one parameter
• Checking if parameter is a (lowercase) vowel …

• … checking if StackVowel is full and outputting suitable message
• … otherwise inserting parameter in next position
• … incrementing VowelTop
• Repeated for Consonant
Java
public static void PushData(String Letter){

if(Letter.equals("a") || Letter.equals("e") || Letter.equals("i") || Letter.equals("o")
|| Letter.equals("u")){
if(VowelTop == 100){
System.out.println("Vowel stack full");
}else{
StackVowel[VowelTop] = Letter;
VowelTop++;
}
}else{
if(ConsonantTop == 100){
System.out.println("Consonant stack full");
}else{
StackConsonant[ConsonantTop] = Letter;
ConsonantTop++;
}
}
}

PUBLISHED
1(b)(i) VB.NET
Sub PushData(Letter As Char)
If Letter = "a" Or Letter = "e" Or Letter = "i" Or Letter = "o" Or Letter = "u" Then
If VowelTop = 100 Then
Console.WriteLine("Vowel stack full")
Else
StackVowel(VowelTop) = Letter
VowelTop += 1
End If
Else
If ConsonantTop = 100 Then
Console.WriteLine("Consonant stack full")
Else
StackConsonant(ConsonantTop) = Letter
ConsonantTop += 1
End If
End If
End Sub
Python
def PushData(Letter):
global VowelTop
global ConsonantTop
if Letter == "a" or Letter == "e" or Letter == "i" or Letter == "o" or Letter == "u":
if VowelTop == 100:
print("Vowel stack full")
else:
StackVowel.append(Letter)
VowelTop = VowelTop + 1
else:
if ConsonantTop == 100:
print("Consonant stack full")
else:
StackConsonant.append(Letter)
ConsonantTop = ConsonantTop + 1

PUBLISHED
1(b)(ii) One mark each 6

• Procedure header ReadData() with no parameter
• Opening StackData.txt to read and closing file

• Looping until EOF // Looping 100 times
• Read each item from the file
• Calling PushData() with each value as parameter
• Appropriate exception handling with suitable output
Java
private static void ReadData(){

try{
Scanner Scanner1 = new Scanner(new File("StackData.txt"));
while(Scanner1.hasNextLine()){
PushData(Scanner1.next());
}
Scanner1.close();
}catch(FileNotFoundException ex){
System.out.println("No file found");
}
}
VB.NET
Sub ReadData()
Try
Dim DataReader As New System.IO.StreamReader("StackData.txt")
Do Until DataReader.EndOfStream
PushData(DataReader.ReadLine())
Loop
DataReader.Close()
PUBLISHED
1(b)(ii) Catch ex As Exception

Console.WriteLine("File not found")
End Try
End Sub
Python
def ReadData():
try:
DataFile = open("StackData.txt")
for Line in DataFile:
PushData(Line.strip())
DataFile.close()
except:
print("File not found")

PUBLISHED
1(c) One mark each 5

• One function header with no parameter
• Checking if stack is empty and returning "No data"

• …otherwise, decrementing correct pointer
• Returning value at top of stack
• 2nd function fully correct
Java
public static String PopVowel(){

String DataToReturn = "";
if(VowelTop - 1 >= 0){
VowelTop --;
DataToReturn = StackVowel[VowelTop];
return DataToReturn;
}else{
return "No data";
}
}
public static String PopConsonant(){

String DataToReturn = "";
if(ConsonantTop - 1 >= 0){
ConsonantTop--;
DataToReturn = StackConsonant[ConsonantTop];
return DataToReturn;
}else{
return "No data";
}
}

PUBLISHED
1(c) VB.NET
Function PopVowel()
If VowelTop - 1 >= 0 Then
VowelTop -= 1
Dim DataToReturn As Char = StackVowel(VowelTop)
Return DataToReturn
Else
Return "No data"
End If
End Function
Function PopConsonant()
If ConsonantTop - 1 >= 0 Then
ConsonantTop -= 1
Dim DataToReturn As Char = StackConsonant(ConsonantTop)
Return DataToReturn
Else
Return "No data"
End If
End Function
Python
def PopVowel():
global VowelTop
global ConsonantTop
if VowelTop - 1 >= 0:
VowelTop = VowelTop - 1
DataToReturn = StackVowel[VowelTop]
del StackVowel[-1]
return DataToReturn
else:
return "No data"

PUBLISHED
1(c) def PopConsonant():

global VowelTop
global ConsonantTop
if ConsonantTop - 1 >= 0:
ConsonantTop = ConsonantTop - 1
DataToReturn = StackConsonant[ConsonantTop]
del StackConsonant[-1]
return DataToReturn
else:
return "No data"

PUBLISHED
1(d)(i) One mark each to max 6 6

• Calling ReadData()
• Looping until 5 letters successfully accessed
• Prompt and read in input of choice …

• … if vowel is input calling PopVowel() and if consonant calling PopConsonant() …
• … storing return values
• Outputting appropriate message if no vowels and if no consonants (stacks full) within loop
• Outputting the five returned letters on one line
Java
public static void main(String args[]){

VowelTop = 0;
ConsonantTop = 0;
ReadData();
String Letters = "";
Boolean Flag = false;
String Choice = "";
String DataAccessed = "";
for(Integer X = 0; X < 5; X++){
Flag = false;
while(Flag == false){
System.out.println("Vowel or Consonant");
Scanner scanner = new Scanner(System.in);
Choice = (scanner.nextLine()).toLowerCase();
if(Choice.equals("vowel")){
DataAccessed = PopVowel();
if(DataAccessed.equals("No data") == false){
Letters = Letters + DataAccessed;
Flag = true;
}else{
System.out.println("No vowels left");
}
PUBLISHED
1(d)(i) }else if(Choice.equals("consonant")){

DataAccessed = PopConsonant();
if(DataAccessed.equals("No data") == false){
Letters = Letters + DataAccessed;
Flag = true;
}else{
System.out.println("No consonants left");
}
}
}
}
System.out.println(Letters);
}
VB.NET
Sub Main(args As String())

VowelTop = 0
ConsonantTop = 0
ReadData()
Dim Letters As String = ""
Dim Flag As Boolean = False
Dim Choice As String
Dim DataAccessed As String
For x = 0 To 4
Flag = False
While Flag = False
Console.WriteLine("Vowel or Consonant?")
Choice = Console.ReadLine().ToLower()
If Choice = "vowel" Then
DataAccessed = PopVowel()
If DataAccessed <> "No data" Then
Letters = Letters & DataAccessed
Flag = True
Else
Console.WriteLine("No vowels left")

PUBLISHED
1(d)(i) End If
ElseIf Choice = "consonant" Then
DataAccessed = PopConsonant()
If DataAccessed <> "No data" Then
Letters = Letters & DataAccessed
Flag = True
Else
Console.WriteLine("No consonants left")
End If
End If
End While
Next
Console.WriteLine(Letters)
End Sub
Python
#main
VowelTop = 0
ConsonantTop = 0
ReadData()
Letters = ""
Flag = False
for x in range(0, 5):

Flag = False
while Flag == False:
Choice = input("Vowel or Consonant").lower()
if Choice == "vowel":
DataAccessed = PopVowel()
if DataAccessed != "No data":
Letters = Letters + DataAccessed
Flag = True
else:
print("No vowels left")

PUBLISHED
1(d)(i) elif Choice == "consonant":

DataAccessed = PopConsonant()
if DataAccessed != "No data":
Letters = Letters + DataAccessed
Flag = True
else:
print("No consonants left")
print(Letters)
1(d)(ii) One mark showing input in order vowel, cons, cons, vowel, vowel. Output is then utxoe 1
e.g.

PUBLISHED
2(a)(i) One mark each 5

• Function header with parameter
• Correct loop
• Modulus calculation
• Return of correct value at correct place
• Remainder of function correct
Java
public static Integer IterativeCalculate(Integer Number){
Integer ToFind = Number;
Integer Total = 0;
while(Number != 0){
if(ToFind % Number == 0){
Total += Number;
}
Number--;
}
return Total;
}
VB.NET
Function IterativeCalculate(Number As Integer)
Dim total As Integer = 0
Dim ToFind As Integer = Number
While Number <> 0
If ToFind Mod Number = 0 Then
total = total + Number
End If
Number = Number - 1
End While
Return total
End Function

PUBLISHED
2(a)(i) Python
def IterativeCalculate(Number):
Total = 0
ToFind = Number
while Number != 0:
if ToFind % Number == 0:
Total = Total + Number
Number = Number - 1
return Total
2(a)(ii) One mark each 2

• Calling IterativeCalculate(10)
• Outputting return value
Java
System.out.println(IterativeCalculate(10));
VB.NET
Console.WriteLine(IterativeCalculate(10))
End Sub
Python
print(IterativeCalculate(10))
2(a)(iii) One mark for screenshot showing 18 1

PUBLISHED
2(b)(i) One mark for each gap (5) 7

One mark for recursive calls both accurate and in correct places
One mark for remainder of function with nothing superfluous
FUNCTION RecursiveValue(Number : Integer, ToFind : Integer) RETURNS INTEGER

IF Number = 0 THEN
RETURN 0
ELSE
IF ToFind MODULUS Number = 0 THEN
RETURN Number + RecursiveValue(Number - 1, ToFind)
ELSE
RETURN RecursiveValue(Number - 1, ToFind)
ENDIF
ENDIF
ENDFUNCTION
Java
public static Integer RecursiveValue(Integer Number, Integer ToFind){

if(Number == 0){
return 0;
}else{
if(ToFind % Number == 0){
return Number + RecursiveValue(Number - 1, ToFind);
}else{
return RecursiveValue(Number - 1, ToFind);
}
}
}

PUBLISHED
2(b)(i) VB.NET
Function RecursiveValue(Number As Integer, ToFind As Integer)

If Number = 0 Then
Return 0
Else
If ToFind Mod Number = 0 Then
Return Number + RecursiveValue(Number - 1, ToFind)
Else
Return RecursiveValue(Number - 1, ToFind)
End If
End If
End Function
Python
def RecursiveValue(Number, ToFind):

if Number == 0:
return 0
else:
if ToFind % Number == 0:
return Number + RecursiveValue(Number - 1, ToFind)
else:
return RecursiveValue(Number - 1, ToFind)

PUBLISHED
2(b)(ii) One mark for calling RecursiveValue(50,50)and outputting return value 1
Java
System.out.println(RecursiveValue(50,50));
VB.NET
Console.WriteLine(RecursiveValue(50,50))
Python
print(RecursiveValue(50,50))
2(b)(iii) One mark for screenshot showing 93 1

PUBLISHED
3(a)(i) One mark each: 5

• Class declaration
• Four attributes with correct data types
• Constructor header
• … taking 4 parameters
• Setting attributes to parameter values
Java
class Character{
private String CharacterName;
private Date DateOfBirth;
private Double Intelligence;
private Integer Speed;
public Character(String CName, Date DBirth, Double Intell, Integer SpeedP){

CharacterName = CName;
DateOfBirth = DBirth;
Intelligence = Intell;
Speed = SpeedP;
}
}
VB.NET
Class Character
Private CharacterName As String
Private DateOfBirth As Date
Private Intelligence As Single
Private Speed As Integer
Sub New(CName, DBirth, Intell, SpeedP)

CharacterName = CName
DateOfBirth = DBirth

PUBLISHED
3(a)(i) Intelligence = Intell

Speed = SpeedP
End Sub
End Class
Python
class Character:
#self.__CharacterName string
#self.__DateOfBirth date
#self.__Intelligence real
#self.__Speed integer
def __init__(self, CName, DBirth, Intell, SpeedP):

self.__CharacterName = CName
self.__DateOfBirth = DBirth
self.__Intelligence = Intell
self.__Speed = SpeedP

PUBLISHED
3(a)(ii) One mark each: 3

• 1 get header with no parameter …
• … returning attribute
• Second correct get method
Java
public Double GetIntelligence(){

return Intelligence;
}
public String GetName(){

return CharacterName;
}
VB.NET
Function GetIntelligence()
Return Intelligence
End Function
Function GetName()
Return CharacterName
End Function
Python
def GetIntelligence(self):
return self.__Intelligence
def GetName(self):
return self.__CharacterName

PUBLISHED
3(a)(iii) One mark each 2

• Set header with 1 parameter …
• … assigns parameter to attribute
Java
public void SetIntelligence(Double NewValue){

Intelligence = NewValue;
}
VB.NET
Sub SetIntelligence(NewValue)
Intelligence = NewValue
End Sub+
Python
def SetIntelligence(self, NewValue):

self.__Intelligence = NewValue

PUBLISHED
3(a)(iv) One mark for method multiplying attribute intelligence by 1.1 (or equivalent) and storing in attribute. 1
Java
public void Learn(){

Intelligence = Intelligence * 1.1;
}
VB.NET
Overridable Sub Learn()

Intelligence = Intelligence * 1.1
End Sub
Python
def Learn(self):
self.__Intelligence = self.__Intelligence * 1.1

PUBLISHED
3(a)(v) One mark each 2

• Method (function) header (and end where appropriate) no parameter, returning a calculated age
• Extracting attribute year of birth from date and subtracting from 2023
Java
public Integer ReturnAge(){

return 2023 - DateOfBirth.getYear();
}
VB.NET
Function ReturnAge()
Return DateDiff(DateInterval.Year, DateOfBirth, #01/01/2023#)
End Function
Python
def ReturnAge(self):
return 2023 - self.__DateOfBirth.year

PUBLISHED
3(b)(i) One mark each: 2

• Creating new instance of Character with identifier FirstCharacter …
• … sending correct values as parameters
Java
Character FirstCharacter = new Character("Royal", new Date(2019,01,01), 70.0, 30);
VB.NET

Dim FirstCharacter As Character
FirstCharacter = New Character("Royal", #1/1/2019#, 70, 30)
End Sub
Python
FirstCharacter = Character("Royal", datetime.datetime(2019, 1, 1), 70, 30)

PUBLISHED
3(b)(ii) One mark each 3

• Calling Learn() for FirstCharacter
• Calling ReturnAge() and outputting return value
• Outputting name and intelligence using gets with suitable message
Java
FirstCharacter.Learn();
System.out.println(FirstCharacter.GetName() + " is " + FirstCharacter.ReturnAge() + " years
old and has intelligence " + FirstCharacter.GetIntelligence());
VB.NET
FirstCharacter.Learn()
Console.WriteLine(FirstCharacter.GetName() & " is " & FirstCharacter.ReturnAge() &
" years old and has intelligence " & FirstCharacter.GetIntelligence())
Python
FirstCharacter.Learn()
print(FirstCharacter.GetName(), "is", FirstCharacter.ReturnAge(), "years old and has
intelligence" , FirstCharacter.GetIntelligence())
3(b(iii) One mark for screenshot with Royal, 4 years, 77 intelligence e.g. 1

PUBLISHED
3(c)(i) One mark each: 5

• Class header inheriting from Character
• Declaring Element as string
• Constructor header taking 5 parameters …
• … calling parent constructor with the 4 parameters
• … assigning parameter to Element
Java
class MagicCharacter extends Character{

private String Element;
public MagicCharacter(String ElementP, String CName, Date DBirth, Double Intell,

Integer SpeedP){
super(CName, DBirth, Intell, SpeedP);
Element = ElementP;
}
}
VB.NET
Class MagicCharacter
Inherits Character
Private Element As String
Sub New(ElementP, CName, DBirth, Intell, SpeedP)
MyBase.New(CName, DBirth, Intell, SpeedP)
Element = ElementP
End Sub
End Class

PUBLISHED
3(c)(i) Python
class MagicCharacter(Character):
#self.__Element String
def __init__(self, ElementP, CName, DBirth, Intell, SpeedP):

super().__init__(CName, DBirth, Intell, SpeedP)
self.__Element = ElementP

PUBLISHED
3(c)(ii) One mark each: 3

• Method header overriding parent method but no parameters
• Checking element value …
• … correct calculations with attribute intelligence and storing
Java
public void Learn(){

if(Element.equals("fire") || Element.equals("water")){
super.SetIntelligence(super.GetIntelligence() * 1.2);
}else if(Element.equals("earth")){
}else{
}
}
VB.NET
Overrides Sub Learn()

If Element = "fire" Or Element = "water" Then
SetIntelligence(GetIntelligence() * 1.2)
ElseIf Element = "earth" Then
Else
End If
End Sub

PUBLISHED
3(c)(ii) Python
def Learn(self):
if(self.__Element == "fire" or self.__Element == "water"):
super().SetIntelligence(super().GetIntelligence() * 1.2)
elif self.__Element == "earth":
else:
3(d)(i) One mark each: 2

• Declaring MagicCharacter with identifier FirstMagic …
• … with correct parameters
Java
MagicCharacter FirstMagic = new MagicCharacter("fire", "Light", new Date(2018,03,03), 75.0,
22);
VB.NET
Dim FirstMagic As MagicCharacter
FirstMagic = New MagicCharacter("fire", "Light", #3/3/2018#, 75, 22)
Python
FirstMagic = MagicCharacter("fire", "Light", datetime.datetime(2018, 3, 3), 75, 22)

PUBLISHED
3(d)(ii) One mark for calling Learn() for FirstMagic and outputting all required data in appropriate message using gets. 1
Java
FirstMagic.Learn();
System.out.println(FirstMagic.GetName() + " is " + FirstMagic.ReturnAge() + " years old and
has intelligence " + FirstMagic.GetIntelligence());
VB.NET
FirstMagic.Learn()
Console.WriteLine(FirstMagic.GetName() & " is " & FirstMagic.ReturnAge() & " years old and
has intelligence " & FirstMagic.GetIntelligence())
Python
FirstMagic.Learn()
print(FirstMagic.GetName(), "is", FirstMagic.ReturnAge(), "years old and has intelligence",
FirstMagic.GetIntelligence())
3(d)(iii) One mark for screenshot e.g. 1

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Cambridge International AS & A Level

COMPUTER SCIENCE 9618/42

This document consists of 34 printed pages.

© UCLES 2023 [Turn over

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1:

Marks must be awarded in line with:

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2:

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3:

Marks must be awarded positively:

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4:

© UCLES 2023 Page 2 of 34

GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6:

© UCLES 2023 Page 3 of 34

1(a)(i) One mark each 2

Example program code:

public static String[] StackVowel = new String[100];

Dim StackVowel(0 To 99) As Char

StackVowel = [] #string 100

© UCLES 2023 Page 4 of 34

1(a)(ii) One mark for 1

Example program code:

public static Integer VowelTop = 0;

Dim VowelTop As Integer = 0

global VowelTop #integer

© UCLES 2023 Page 5 of 34

1(b)(i) One mark each 6

• Checking if parameter is a (lowercase) vowel …

• Repeated for Consonant

Example program code:

public static void PushData(String Letter){

© UCLES 2023 Page 6 of 34

© UCLES 2023 Page 7 of 34

1(b)(ii) One mark each 6

• Opening StackData.txt to read and closing file

• Appropriate exception handling with suitable output

Example program code:

private static void ReadData(){

1(b)(ii) Catch ex As Exception

© UCLES 2023 Page 9 of 34

1(c) One mark each 5

• Checking if stack is empty and returning "No data"

• 2nd function fully correct

Example program code:

public static String PopVowel(){

public static String PopConsonant(){

© UCLES 2023 Page 10 of 34

© UCLES 2023 Page 11 of 34

1(c) def PopConsonant():

© UCLES 2023 Page 12 of 34

1(d)(i) One mark each to max 6 6

• Prompt and read in input of choice …

Example program code:

public static void main(String args[]){

1(d)(i) }else if(Choice.equals("consonant")){

Sub Main(args As String())

© UCLES 2023 Page 14 of 34

for x in range(0, 5):

© UCLES 2023 Page 15 of 34

def init(self, CName, DBirth, Intell, SpeedP):

def init(self, ElementP, CName, DBirth, Intell, SpeedP):