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COMPUTER APPLICATIONS (86)

Aims: 4. To enable students to learn to process words and


numbers, analyze data, communicate ideas
1. To empower students by enabling them to build
effectively and make the optimum use of
their own applications.
computer resources.
2. To introduce students to some effective tools to
5. To help students learn fundamental concepts of
enable them to enhance their knowledge, broaden
computing using object oriented approach in one
horizons, foster creativity, improve the quality of
computer language.
work and increase efficiency.
6. To provide students with a clear idea of ethical
3. To enable students to learn to use the World Wide
issues involved in the field of computing.
Web in order to gather knowledge and
communicate with students and the academic
community all over the world.
CLASS IX
There will be one written paper of two hours duration ii) Graphic User Interface
carrying 100 marks and Internal Assessment of 100
Working with the Graphical User Interface
marks.
(GUI), Elements of a GUI, handling files and
The paper will be divided into two sections A and B. directories under GUI, managing the desktop.
Section A (Compulsory – 40 marks) will consist of Concept of an active window. Familiarity with
compulsory short answer questions covering the entire the icons, the buttons and the task bar.
syllabus. Resizing a window. Handling multiple
windows.
Section B (60 marks) will consist of questions which
will require detailed answers and there will be a choice Creating folders. Copying items. Moving
of questions in this section items. Deleting Items. Setting attributes of
items.
THEORY – 100 Marks Creating shortcuts on the desktop, arranging
the folders on the desktop.
1. Operating System
2. The Internet
i) Introduction to Operating System
Internet, e-mail, WWW, modem and related protocols.
The need for an operating system, features
and functions of an operating system and Working of internet, creating an e-mail account,
sending and receiving e-mails, web servers, search
familiarity with installing and uninstalling
engines to perform a simple search and Boolean
software. operators to fine tune a search, basic working of a
Functions and features of an operating system modem (modulation and demodulation) through block
(examples of single user and multiple users); diagrams only. Protocols and its need (FTP, HTTP,
familiarize the students with installation and IMAP, POP, SMTP). Downloading information.
un-installation of connected peripherals and
other related softwares like dictionaries,
encyclopedias, etc.

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3. Computing and Ethics Defining the structure of a database, entering data of
various types, saving it in an appropriate area.
Ethical issues in computing. Adding, deleting and modifying records, global editing.
Intellectual property rights; protection of individual’s Performing calculations on one record or a group of
right to privacy; data protection on the internet; records.
protection against Spam; software piracy, cyber crime,
Modifying the structure of a database by inserting,
hacking, protection against malicious intent and
deleting or modifying fields.
malicious code.
Sorting on one field/ multiple fields, sorting selected
The stress should be on good etiquette and ethical records/ all the records.
practices.
Indexing on one field/ multiple fields. The need for
4. Office Application Software: re- indexing. Sorting vs. Indexing.
Setting query condition, Relational and Logical
Word processor, Multimedia presentation and Operators, setting query using multiple conditions.
Spreadsheets. Generating detailed or summary reports.
Discuss the following features for Word Processor, Working with multiple databases and explain the
Multimedia Presentation and Spreadsheets: relationship (one to one, one too many, many to one
and many to many) through real life examples.
Opening and closing, saving, editing, formatting, Linking objects/embedding objects, linking vs.
printing, spell check, grammar and header/footer. embedding.
Creating database applications depending upon the
Special features:
requirement of the user.
Word Processor – inserting a table and working with
6. Elementary Concept of Objects and Classes
tables.
Modelling entities and their behaviour by objects; a
Multimedia Presentation – the students should be able class as a specification for objects and as an object
to create a presentation using images / pictures, sound, factory; computation as message passing/function calls
video and custom animation. Students should be able between objects (many examples should be done to
to import material from word processors, spreadsheets, illustrate this). Objects encapsulate state (attributes)
databases and internet. and have behaviour (functions). Class as a user defined
type.
Spreadsheets – Using formulae functions A class may be regarded as a blueprint to create
(mathematical), working with ranges, graphs and objects. It may be viewed as a factory that produces
charts. Difference between absolute and relative similar objects. A class may also be considered as a
references. new data type created by the user, that has its own
functionality.
5. Database Packages
All the four features of Object Oriented Programming
The need for database management; creating and should be defined and explained using real life
saving a database; editing a database; performing examples.
calculations; modifying the structure of a database;
sorting, indexing; querying; report generation. Analyze each object and show how each contains
Working with multiple databases, object linking and attributes and responds to certain messages or permits
embedding, creating applications. certain operations.
The need for database management for handling vast Emphasize that an object is an instance of a class. A
amount of data- storing, sorting, summarizing, single object is just a bundle of values, one for each
classifying and retrieving quickly. attribute in the class.

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7. Values and types Suggested list of Assignments:
Tokens and its types, Primitive types, operations on For topics (1 – 5)
primitive values, expressions, assignment (assignment 1. Connect to net. If you are already connected start a
is also an expression). browser and a search engine and perform a simple
Introduce the primitive types and the range of values search on any of the subjects. Then perform a
each represents. Discuss all the operations that can be Boolean search for the same topic and note the
done with primitive types namely mathematical, difference. Create your own email ID and send an
relational and logical. Discuss precedence and e-mail.
associativity of operators. Introduce the concept of type 2. A story is given in which the main character is a
casting. lady, Mrs. James. Make changes in the document
using find and replace so that the main character
Introduce System.out.println and System.out.print, for becomes a gentleman Mr. Brown. Take care of the
simple output. pronouns.
Discuss different types of errors occurring during 3. Design a presentation to launch an awareness
execution and compilation of the program (syntax program like “Save the Earth”.
errors, runtime errors and logical errors).
4. Create a presentation to highlight the activities in
8. Conditionals and non-nested loops your school.

Application of if else, if else if ladder, switch-case 5. Build a friendly database to access phone numbers,
(default, break). emails and addresses conveniently.
Fixed number of iterations- the for loop. Unknown For topics (6-8)
number of iterations - while loop, do-while loop. The laboratory assignments will form the bulk of the
The conditional/ternary operator (? : ) should be course. Good assignments should have problems which
introduced at this point. require design, invention of an algorithm and only then
implementation and testing. The problems will mimic
Loops are fundamental to computation and their need a real life problem and require careful design or will
should be shown by examples. . require an interesting algorithm to solve it. They should
Examples: various number based problems: prime also embody one or more concepts that have been
numbers, composite numbers, perfect numbers, discussed in the theory class. A significant proportion
fibonacci numbers, etc. of the time has to be spent in the laboratory. Computing
can only be learnt by doing.
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT - 100 Marks
Some sample problems are given below as examples.
This segment of the syllabus is totally practice oriented. The problems are of varying levels of difficulty:
The accent is on acquiring basic usage skills quickly
and efficiently. 6. Enter marks of ten students in six subjects, find the
Assignments and Application Building total marks and the average of each student using
Mathematical functions and make a chart on the
Students should complete a number of laboratory basis of their average marks.
assignments during the whole year to reinforce the
concepts studied in the class. 7. Create a table in a Word Processor for your class
The students should build one real life application with the following fields: Roll No., Name, Date of
using elements from most of the packages used (topics Birth and Optional Subject.
1-7). Great care should be exercised to ensure that 8. Implement a Calculator class that models a hand
most of the components of the packages are used while held calculator. It should have (at least) the
building the application. following functionality: addition, subtraction,
Important: In Class IX mostly primitive types should multiplication, integer division, remainder, unary
be used to construct Objects. minus, enter, clear.

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9. A student has a name, roll number, class in which 4. Find out how each component of the computer
studying, and marks in 6 subjects. Design a class works. Build a presentation to explain what really
for student. Write constructors, get and set goes on, inside a computer.
functions and separate functions to return the total, 5. Build a dictionary or a thesaurus database and use
percentage and grade. it to find synonyms, antonyms and the
10. Fibbonacci series is obtained by adding the pronunciation of words.
previous two terms. For example: 6. Build a project to store the data of various cricket
1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21…etc. teams and output it in a variety of ways. Make
future projections on the basis of this data.
Fibbonacci primes are prime numbers that belong
7. Collect the data on the state of air/water/noise
to the Fibbonacci series. For example 2,3,5,13…
pollution in your area with the help of your
etc. Define a class NumberSeries with suitable
chemistry teacher. Use your computer to keep track
methods which takes an integer argument and
of this data and analyze it. Launch an awareness
prints out all the Fibbonacci primes below that
campaign and find ways to improve the situation.
number.
You can make pamphlets and presentations with
11. n is a perfect number if the sum of all the factors of the help of your computer.
the number (including 1) excluding itself is n. For 8. Ask your teacher/ father/ mother/ Principal as to
example: what are the documents they need for their work.
6 = 1+2+3 Prepare a list and see if you can make some
28=1+2+4+7+14 templates to help them. Help them with their
budgets, accounting and future planning.
Define a class called Number Problems which have
the following functions: 9. Write a small book of poems or quotations and
index it. Build the table of contents.
int sumOfFactors(int n) - which returns sum of all
the factors of the number n except itself. 10. You are building your own web page. What
material will you require? Create it.
boolean isPerfect(int n) – which returns true if the
number n is perfect and false otherwise. 11. Visit your school library. Build a project to handle
the issuing and returning of books.
void PerfectNosBelow(int lim) - which first prints
out all perfect numbers less than lim. Each perfect 12. Build a project to generate various quizzes and
number should be printed on a single line along puzzles automatically.
with its factors (see below). So for example the 13. Imagine you are organizing an event; say a three-
output from PerfectNosBelow(10) will be: day computer festival in your school. Use your
computer to manage all the planning and details.
6= (1,2,3)
14. Visit your Bank. Find out about the various kinds
Important: This list is indicative only. Teachers and of accounts e.g. Saving Accounts, Current
students should use their imagination to create Accounts, Fixed Deposit Accounts, and Recurring
innovative and original assignments. Deposit Accounts. Design a project to handle at
Some Ideas for Application Building: least one kind of account.
1. Trace the evolution of Computing over the 15. Visit a small retail organization. Build a project to
centuries. handle the bills and inventory.
2. How computers affect human beings. Focus upon 16. Visit your school office. Study the teachers’ payroll
the Ergonomic, Psychological and Social aspects. system. Design a system to print pay slips.
3. Visualize the future based on current developments 17. Visit a hotel. Study the various processes. Design a
in technology. Focus upon its impact and the project to handle the booking and checking out.
ethical questions involved.

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18. Visit the LIC office. Study how they handle various Does the application solve the problem effectively?
policies. Design a project to handle any one kind of
Criteria Analysis Design Executio Effectivene
policy. (mm -40) (mm- (mm- n (mm- ss
19. Design a Booklet (Giving details of the 10) 10) 10) (mm-10)
organization, courses offered and the additional Excellent 10 10 10 10
facilities provide by the Institute), Handbills and Good 8 8 8 8
Posters for advertisement for a newly established
Computer Institute. Fair 6 6 6 6
20. Create a multi page brochure for a travelling Poor 4 4 4 4
agency, including the following points: EVALUATION
• Description of the places to be visited The teacher in-charge shall keep the record of all the
• Schedules of various trips assignments and evaluate them internally.
• Costs Involved The teacher-in-charge shall evaluate one application
built by the student. He/She shall ensure that most of
Important: This list is indicative only. Teachers and the components of the syllabus have been used
students should use their imagination to create appropriately in the chosen application.
innovative and original applications.
SOFTWARE FOR CLASS IX:
Application Building Assignments (Class IX)
There is a wide variety of software packages and
Proposed Guidelines for Marking operating systems available but software has to be
The teacher should use the criteria below to judge the chosen very carefully. Schools are expected to explore
internal work done. Basically, four criteria are being any suitable Operating System or Software Package,
suggested: analysis, design, execution and which is being used currently and is likely to be used in
effectiveness. The important questions to be asked future, and choose it for covering topics 1-5 of the
when evaluating each criterion are shown. 25% of the syllabus.
total credit is assigned to each criterion - so each is The criteria used in the selection of software should be:
equally important. The actual grading will be done by • It should have a good user interface so that the
the internal teacher based on his/her judgment. beginners may learn to use it easily.
However, one possible way: divide the outcome for • It should be used widely and be easily available.
each criterion into one of 4 groups: excellent, good,
• The material related to the software should be
fair/acceptable, poor/unacceptable, then use numeric
abundantly available.
values for each grade and add to get the total which can
In this respect the latest versions of the chosen software
be multiplied by a suitable factor to get the final marks.
should be made available.
Analysis:
Great emphasis should be placed on ethics. Some
Has the problem been analyzed carefully? people do not object to using pirated software. They do
not realize that it has something to do with ethics. It is
Have suitable tools been chosen?
important to introduce these concepts to the students in
Design: the very beginning.
Is the choice of data structures proper? For covering topics 6-8
Is the logic suitable for the problem? • Any suitable Operating System can be used.
How efficient is it? For teaching fundamental concepts of computing
using object oriented approach, BlueJ environment
Execution: (1.2 or higher version) compatible with JDK (1.3
Does the application run correctly? or higher version) as the base or any other editor or
IDE, compatible with JDK (1.3 or higher version)
Effectiveness: as the base may be used. Ensure that the latest
versions of software are used.

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CLASS X
There will be one written paper of two hours duration calling functions (call by value and call by reference)
carrying 100 marks and Internal Assessment of 100 Returning information/messages from the functions
marks. and use of multiple functions and more than one
function with the same name (function overloading).
The paper will be divided into two sections A and B. Use of static data member with static member function.
Discuss invocation of functions on objects (through the
Section A (Compulsory – 40 marks) will consist of
reference). Discuss the concept of this with a reference
compulsory short answer questions covering the entire to the object on which the invocation is made again.
syllabus.
5. Class as a User Defined Type
Section B (60 marks) will consist of questions which
Class as a composite type, distinction between
will require detailed answers and there will be a choice
primitive type and composite or class types.
of questions in this section
Class may be considered as a new data type created by
THEORY – 100 Marks the user, that has its own functionality.
The distinction between primitive and composite types
1. Revision of Class IX Syllabus should be discussed through examples. Show how
(i) Elementary Concept of Objects and Classes. classes allow user defined types in programs. All
primitive types have corresponding class wrappers.
(ii) Values and types. The following methods are to be covered:
(iii) Conditionals and non-nested loops. int parseInt(String s), int valueOf(String s),
long parseLong(String s), long valueOf(String s),
2. Class as the Basis of all Computation float parseFloat(String s), float valueOf(String s),
double parseDouble(String s),
Objects and Classes double valueOf(String s), boolean isDigit(char ch),
Objects encapsulate state and behaviour – numerous boolean isLetter(char ch),
examples; member variables; attributes or features. boolean isLetterOrDigit(char ch),
Variables define state; member functions; boolean isLowerCase(char ch),
Operations/methods/ messages/ functions define boolean isUpperCase(char ch),
behaviour. boolean isWhitespace(char ch),
char to LowerCase (char ch)
Classes as abstractions for sets of objects; class as an char to UpperCase(char ch)
object factory; concept of type, primitive data types,
composite data types. Variable declarations for both 6. Iterations.
types; difference between the two types. Objects as Loops, nested loops, break and continue.
instances of a class.
Consider real life examples for explaining the concept Revision of loops (while, do while and for).
of class and object.
Show how each kind of loop can be converted to the
3. Constructors other form of the loop. Introduce nested loops through
Constructor and its types. some simple examples. Demonstrate break and
continue statements with the help of loops/nested loops.
Default constructor, parameterized constructor,
constructor with default parameter and constructor 7. Using Library Classes
overloading. Simple input/output. String, packages and import
4. Functions statements.
Browsing the documentation for classes in the libraries
Functions and its types
and illustrating their use. The following functions
Need of functions. Types of functions (pure and have to be covered:
impure). Function declaration and definition, ways of

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String library functions: INTERNAL ASSESSMENT - 100 Marks
Char charAt (int n)
int compareTo(String1, String2) Assignments and Project
String concat(String str) The students should complete a number of laboratory
boolean endsWith(String str) assignments during the whole year to reinforce the
boolean equals(String str) concepts studied in the class.
boolean equalsIgnoreCase(String str) The students should build one real life project using
int indexOf(char ch) the concepts taught.
int lastIndexOf(char ch)
int length( ) Suggested list of Assignments:
String replace (char oldChar,char newChar)
boolean startsWith(String str) Good assignments should have problems which require
String substring(int beginIndex, int endIndex) design, invention of an algorithm and only then
String toLowerCase( ) implementation and testing. The problems will mimic
String toUpperCase( ) a real life problem and require careful design or will
String trim( ) require an interesting algorithm to solve it. They should
String valueOf(all types) also embody one or more concepts that have been
Mathematical Library Functions: discussed in the theory class. A significant proportion
pow(x,y), log(x), sqrt(x), ceil(x), floor(x), rint(x), of the time has to be spent in the laboratory. Computing
abs(a), max(a, b), min(a,b), random( ), sin(x), cos(x), can only be learnt by doing. Some sample problems are
tan(x). given below as examples. The problems are of varying
levels of difficulty.
Introduce the concept of packages and import 1. A student has a name, roll number, class in which
statement (Avoid discussing the details of libraries). studying, home address and a date of birth. Design
8. Encapsulation a class containing constructors and user define
functions, get and set – get to input data and set to
Access specifiers and scope and visibility display data. . . .
Access specifiers – private and public. Visibility rules
for private, package and public access specifiers. 2. Write a class Convert with methods as follows:
Scope of variables, instance variables, argument a) takes 4 arguments representing miles, yards, feet
variables, local variables. and inches and convert them into
kilometres, meters and centimetres.
9. Arrays b) Takes an argument representing degrees
Arrays –storing, retrieving and arranging data Fahrenheit and convert it to degrees centigrade.
c) a kilobyte is interpreted in two ways: some times
Arrays and their uses, sorting algorithms - selection it is 1000 bytes (actually correct), but often (and
sort and bubble sort; Search algorithms – linear search traditionally) it is 210 which is 1024. Similar
and binary search Example of a composite type. Array discrepancies arise for mega, giga, tera and peta
creation. Sorting and searching algorithms should be (each is 1000 (or 210) times the previous one).
discussed (single dimensional array only). The function should take the 103 (standard kilo)
10. Input/Output and give the equivalent value using 210 as a kilo for
all the above.
Basic input/output using Scanner and Printer classes
from JDK. 3. Define a class Recurring Patterns and define
methods in it which will print the following
The Scanner class can be used for input of various patterns.
types of data (e.g. int, float, char etc.) from the standard
input stream.

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a) The method takes an integer argument n and Some Ideas for the Project:
prints the following pattern, shown for n=4.
Students have already been introduced to spreadsheets,
databases, word processors and presentation software
a earlier. That familiarity should be used to introduce the
a a idea of how the software can be designed by modeling
a a a it as operations permitted on different objects. Other
a a a a real world systems can also be modeled on the same
a a a lines:
a a
a 1. Calculators

b) The method takes an integer argument and 2. Banks


prints the following pattern, shown for n=4. 3. A school
1 4. Toys
121
12321 5. A game
1234321 6. Traffic lights
12321
7. Elevators
121
1 8. Retail Outlets
c) The method takes an integer argument and 9. An office
prints the following pattern, shown for n=4.
10. A company
abcdcba
abc cba 11. Household gadgets like microwave ovens
ab ba 12. Washing machines
a a
ab ba 13. Air Conditioners
abc cba 14. Cars
abcdcba
15. Airplanes
Note: for the three methods above you can assume
16. Vending machines
that n<10. However, think about what you would
do if you allowed n to be a 2 or even 3 digit integer. 17. Automatic Teller Machines (ATM )
4. Define class point to model points in the X-Y 18. A Social System
plane. Define functions to translate a point along 19. A musical composition
the X and Y axes respectively. Define a function
that calculates the distance from another point. 20. A clinical diagnostic system

5. Write a program to input two strings. Check both Important: This list is indicative only. The teachers and
the strings and remove all common characters from students should use their imagination to create
both the strings. Print both the strings after innovative and original projects.
removing the common characters. Programming Project (Class X)
Important: This list is indicative only. The teachers
and students should use their imagination to create Proposed Guidelines for Marking
innovative and original assignments. The teacher should use the criteria below to judge the
internal work done. Basically, four criteria are being

147
suggested: class design, algorithm design, coding and Is the interface properly designed?
documentation and execution. The important questions
Algorithm design:
to be asked when evaluating each criterion are shown.
25% of the total credit is assigned to each criterion - so Is the choice of data structures proper?
each is equally important. The actual grading will be Is the algorithm suitable for the problem?
done by the teacher based on his/her judgment.
How efficient is it?
However, one possible way: divide the outcome for
each criterion into one of 4 groups: excellent, good, Coding and documentation:
fair/acceptable, poor/unacceptable, then use numeric
Is the coding done properly? (Choice of names, no
values for each grade and add to get the total which can
unconditional jumps, proper organization of
be multiplied by a suitable factor to get the final marks.
conditions, proper choice of loops, error handling, code
Class design: layout) Is the documentation complete and readable?
Has a suitable class (or classes) been used? (class documentation, variable documentation,
function documentation, constraints, known bugs - if
Are all attributes with the right kinds of types present? any)
Is encapsulation properly done?
Execution:
Does the program run on all sample input correctly?
Criteria Class Design Algorithm Design Coding and Documentation Execution (mm-
(Total – 40 (mm-10) (mm-10) (mm-10) 10)
marks)
Excellent 10 10 10 10
Good 8 8 8 8
Fair 6 6 6 6
Poor 4 4 4 4

EVALUATION: EQUIPMENT
The teacher in-charge shall keep the record of all the There should be enough computer systems to provide
assignments done by the student throughout the year for a teaching schedule where at least three-fourths of
and evaluate them internally. The student is expected to the time available is used for programming and project
do one project under the guidance of the teacher in work.
charge. The course shall require at least 4 periods of about 40
An External Examiner shall be nominated by the Head minutes duration per week. In one week out of 4
of the school and may be a teacher from the faculty, but periods the time should be divided as follows:
not teaching the subject in the relevant section/class. • 1 period – Lecture cum demonstration by the
For example, a teacher of Computer Science of Instructor
Class VIII may be deputed to be the External Examiner • 3 periods –Assignments and Project
for Class X, Computer Applications Projects.
The hardware and software platforms should be such
Evaluation of practical work will be done as follows:
that the students can comfortably develop and run
Subject Teacher (Internal Examiner): 50 marks programs on those machines.
External Examiner: 50 marks Since hardware and software evolve and change very
The total marks obtained out of 100 are to be sent to the rapidly the schools shall need to upgrade them as
Council by the Head of the School. required. Following are the minimal specifications as
The Head of the School will be responsible for the entry of now.
of marks on the mark sheets provided by the Council.

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RECOMMENDED FACILITIES: • Good Quality printers.
• A lecture cum demonstration room with a • A scanner, a web cam/a digital camera (Should be
MULTIMEDIA PROJECTOR/ an LCD and provided if possible).
O.H.P. attached to the computer.
• A white board with white board markers should be SOFTWARE FOR CLASS X
available. Any suitable Operating System can be used.
• A fully equipped Computer Laboratory that allows For teaching fundamental concepts of computing using
one computer per student. object oriented approach, BlueJ environment (1.2 or
• Internet connection for accessing the World Wide higher version) compatible with JDK (1.3 or higher
Web and email facility. version) as the base or any other editor or IDE,
compatible with JDK (1.3 or higher version) as the base
• The computers should have a minimum of may be used. Ensure that the latest versions of software
128 MB RAM and at least a PIII or Equivalent are used.
Processor.

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