Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Back to Study HubBrowse Year 10 Computing Guides

Year 10 - Computing

Procedures in programs

Programming: subroutines

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will be introduced to structured programming. They will explore the differences between functions and procedures and use functions to return values in programs. They will be introduced to the concept of scope and how parameters can be used to reduce the need for global variables.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to create and call a procedure in a program.

Key Notes

  • A procedure is a named block of code that performs a specific task.
  • Procedures are designed to run a sequence of code that does not return any value to the calling program.
  • In order to run a procedure, it must be called by the main program.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • call: an expression that passes control and arguments (if any) to a subprogram
  • procedure: a subprogram that executes a block of code when called but does not return a value
  • function: a subprogram that returns a value
  • return value: a value that is returned by a function

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Functions and procedures are just different names for the same thing.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Describe the system or process from this lesson in clear steps.

A procedure is a named block of code that performs a specific task. Procedures are designed to run a sequence of code that does not return any value to the calling program.

2. Define this computing term and give one practical example. 'call'

an expression that passes control and arguments (if any) to a subprogram. Add one real device or system example to prove understanding.

3. Correct this common computing misconception.

Mistake: Functions and procedures are just different names for the same thing. Correction: A function is a type of subprogram that returns a value whereas a procedure is a type of subprogram that does not return a value.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 10 Computing guide library.