1) The document discusses storing pricing information for different rides in an efficient way depending on the programming language. It recommends using objects in JavaScript and associative arrays in PHP. 2) When outputting the pricing information, it will be important to properly format prices as numbers with currency symbols and ensure ride order is preserved if using arrays. 3) A function is outlined to record ticket sales by taking a ride and quantity as input, validating, and adding to a sales record array.

1. Exam Preparation Day
QUESTION 6 – APPLICATION PROGRAMMING

2. Read the following scenario.
Adelaide Show grounds, is considering changing from a paper-based ride system to a
computer-based system, to ensure that customer taking rides can be serviced more
effectively and the company can determine . Below are an extract from the Rides
currently available.

3. (a) (i)
Identify and justify an efficient way of storing the prices for the rides.
The most efficient method depends on language used.
JavaScript: the most efficient way to store the prices is an object as this language
doesn’t have associative arrays. The object could store name and number.
An ordinary array will work, as long as order of items in arrays is preserved for
searches.
VB has a similar issue. Here the most efficient way (advanced) is a new collection,
similar to a JS object. Ordinary arrays the same as JS
PHP has associative arrays, where names are used as indexes, rather than numbers.

4. (a) (ii)
When storing the information from part (i), discuss one potential output issue that will need to
be resolved when presenting information to customers.
Assuming arrays are used (JS, VB), order of product is important so that prices don’t get
mixed.
Length of data is variable, so formatting is important.
Prices are stored as numbers, so formatting (eg $) important here as well

5. (b)
Write a function that will record the sales of a ticket to a customer.
Function StoreSales
Input Ride, Quantity
Validate by displaying, Y/N response
IF N return to input
Open SalesRecord array
Add quantity to RideNumber(Ride)
Close SalesRecord
Return
Pseudocode is often easier as there are no strict syntax rules. This does not mean good
programming practice such as meaningful variables and indenting should not be used.

6. (c)
Discuss the implications of distributing the application program as a source file
It is not a good idea if a commercial proposition, both for security of product (people
can easily change/wreck it) and also there is no protection of intellectual property, so
distributor could lose income.
On the other hand many do distribute files in this way (freely), asserting copyright if to
be used commercially, but able to deny responsibility if taken and used.

7. Read the following scenario.
Adelaide metro, is considering changing from a paper-based bus ride system to a
computer-based system, to ensure that customer taking bus rides can be serviced more
effectively when boarding a bus without a metro card. Below is an extract from the bus
fair and a suggested algorithm for developing a computer-based program.

8. (d) Identify the lines of code
(i) Pre-test loop
(ii) Fixed loop
(e) Condition in conditional loop

9. 0 0 0 0
2 1
1 1 3 2
2 2 1 1
1 3 4 1
1 4 1 1
2 5 2 2
3 6 3 4
6 7 2 2
5 8 0
0
53.50
The total taken by the driver is $53.50

10. (g)
Explain how recommended practices and conventions can improve the validity of user input.
The code at present does not check whether the input value is as desired. One practice
is to reflect the two entries – type and number and ask for confirmation. Another is to
have a drop down list for the type of ticket, and a check that a number is actually
entered for quantity of tickets. Then reflect back for confirmation. Actually a drop
down list for number of tickets may also be a possibility.