Cambridge

IGCSE CS 0478

Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478

Solve · Learn · Repeat

Master all 32 sub-topics across 10 chapters of the Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 syllabus — interactive MCQs, fill-in-the-blank exercises, engaging activities, short & long answer questions, and key exam takeaways spanning Paper 1 Computer Systems and Paper 2 Algorithms, Programming and Logic.

10Chapters32Sub-topics1,956MCQs3,029Fill-in-the-Blanks1,028Creative Activities1,726SAQ1,028LAQ

IGCSE Paper Structure

32 / 32 topics published · stats update as chapters are built

Paper 1 · Computer Systems1h 45m · 75 marks · 60% of grade · → Ch 1

1Data Representation2Data Transmission3Hardware4Software5The Internet & its Uses6Automated & Emerging Technologies

Paper 2 · Algorithms, Programming and Logic1h 45m · 50 marks · 40% of grade · → Ch 7

7Algorithm Design & Problem-Solving8Programming9Databases10Boolean Logic

Question type breakdown

MCQs1,956

22% of bank

Fill-in3,029

35% of bank

Activities1,028

12% of bank

SAQ1,726

20% of bank

LAQ1,028

12% of bank

IGCSE · SELECT A TOPIC

CHAPTER 1

Data Representation

3 topics · 3 ready

Number Systems

Binary, denary and hexadecimal conversions between bases.

50 MCQ · 88 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 50 SAQ · 30 LAQ

Text, Sound & Images

Character sets (ASCII/Unicode); bitmap images; sound sampling.

50 MCQ · 97 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 50 SAQ · 30 LAQ

Data Storage & Compression

Data measurement units; lossy vs lossless compression.

50 MCQ · 100 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 50 SAQ · 30 LAQ

CHAPTER 2

Data Transmission

3 topics · 3 ready

Types & Methods of Data Transmission

Serial, parallel; simplex, half-duplex and full-duplex.

50 MCQ · 100 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 50 SAQ · 30 LAQ

Methods of Error Detection

Parity checks, checksums, ARQ and echo checks.

50 MCQ · 102 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 50 SAQ · 30 LAQ

Encryption

Symmetric and asymmetric encryption techniques.

50 MCQ · 90 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 50 SAQ · 30 LAQ

CHAPTER 3

Hardware

4 topics · 4 ready

Computer Architecture

Von Neumann model; CPU components; fetch-decode-execute cycle.

59 MCQ · 127 FILL-IN · 42 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 33 LAQ

Input & Output Devices

Sensors, actuators, scanners, screens and printers.

60 MCQ · 118 FILL-IN · 39 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 32 LAQ

Data Storage

Primary, secondary, virtual and offline storage.

61 MCQ · 107 FILL-IN · 41 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 41 LAQ

Network Hardware

Routers, NICs; MAC and IP addressing.

64 MCQ · 153 FILL-IN · 41 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 32 LAQ

CHAPTER 4

Software

2 topics · 2 ready

Types of Software & Interrupts

Operating systems, application and utility software; interrupts.

60 MCQ · 72 FILL-IN · 41 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 42 LAQ

Types of Programming Language, Translators & IDEs

High- vs low-level languages; compilers, interpreters, assemblers; IDEs.

52 MCQ · 106 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 50 SAQ · 30 LAQ

CHAPTER 5

The Internet & its Uses

3 topics · 3 ready

The Internet & the World Wide Web

Web browsers, URLs, HTTP/HTTPS and DNS.

65 MCQ · 76 FILL-IN · 31 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 32 LAQ

Digital Currency

Blockchain, cryptocurrency and digital wallets.

66 MCQ · 147 FILL-IN · 32 ACTIVITIES · 60 SAQ · 32 LAQ

Cyber Security

Malware, phishing and online attacks; firewalls and security measures.

68 MCQ · 103 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 58 SAQ · 32 LAQ

CHAPTER 6

Automated & Emerging Technologies

3 topics · 3 ready

Automated Systems

Sensors, microprocessors and actuators in automated loops.

67 MCQ · 118 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 32 LAQ

Robotics

Robot characteristics, components and uses.

78 MCQ · 119 FILL-IN · 32 ACTIVITIES · 56 SAQ · 32 LAQ

Artificial Intelligence

AI characteristics, machine learning and expert systems.

81 MCQ · 112 FILL-IN · 33 ACTIVITIES · 56 SAQ · 32 LAQ

CHAPTER 7

Algorithm Design & Problem-Solving

9 topics · 9 ready

The Program Development Life Cycle

Analysis, design, coding and testing phases.

71 MCQ · 72 FILL-IN · 31 ACTIVITIES · 56 SAQ · 32 LAQ

Computer Systems, Sub-Systems & Decomposition

Structure diagrams and top-down design.

64 MCQ · 125 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 56 SAQ · 32 LAQ

Explaining the Purpose of an Algorithm

Reading and interpreting given solutions.

63 MCQ · 107 FILL-IN · 33 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 32 LAQ

Standard Methods of Solution

Linear search, bubble sort, totals, averages and counting.

63 MCQ · 81 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 55 SAQ · 32 LAQ

Validation & Verification

Data validation types and verification checks.

60 MCQ · 65 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 32 LAQ

Test Data

Normal, abnormal, boundary and extreme test sets.

60 MCQ · 65 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 32 LAQ

Trace Tables & Dry Runs

Tracking variable states to debug processes.

60 MCQ · 65 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 32 LAQ

Identifying Errors in Algorithms

Finding syntax, runtime and logic errors.

60 MCQ · 66 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 32 LAQ

Writing & Amending Algorithms

Creating and amending pseudocode and flowcharts.

60 MCQ · 65 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 32 LAQ

CHAPTER 8

Programming

3 topics · 3 ready

Programming Concepts

Variables, constants, data types; sequence, selection, iteration.

67 MCQ · 62 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 61 SAQ · 32 LAQ

Arrays

Declaring, populating and manipulating 1D arrays.

60 MCQ · 98 FILL-IN · 32 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 30 LAQ

File Handling

Opening, reading, writing and closing external files.

60 MCQ · 93 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 32 LAQ

CHAPTER 9

Databases

1 topics · 1 ready

Databases

Primary keys, data types; single-table structures; SQL queries.

67 MCQ · 65 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 32 LAQ

CHAPTER 10

Boolean Logic

1 topics · 1 ready

Standard Logic Gate Symbols

AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR, XOR; circuits, expressions and truth tables.

60 MCQ · 65 FILL-IN · 30 ACTIVITIES · 54 SAQ · 32 LAQ

NEXT STEPS

Start a Practice Exam

Timed practice papers assembled from every published chapter — MCQs, fill-in-the-blanks, creative activities, short & long answer questions, graded instantly with examiner-style feedback.

Browse Topics Map

See how all 32 sub-topics connect — prerequisite chains, unlock paths, and a clear revision route across both IGCSE papers.