ICSE Class 10 Computer Applications Syllabus

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS (86)

CLASS X
There will be one written paper of two hours duration carrying 100 marks and Internal Assessment of 100 marks.
THEORY – 100 Marks Returning values from the methods , use of
multiple methods and more than one method with
1. Revision of Class IX Syllabus the same name (polymorphism - method
(i) Introduction to Object Oriented Programming overloading).
concepts, (ii) Elementary Concept of Objects and
4. Constructors
Classes, (iii) Values and Data types, (iv) Operators
in Java, (v) Input in Java, (vi) Mathematical Definition of Constructor, characteristics, types of
Library Methods, (vii) Conditional constructs in constructors, use of constructors, constructor
Java, (viii) Iterative constructs in Java, (ix) Nested overloading.
for loops. Default constructor, parameterized constructor,
constructor overloading., Difference between
2. Class as the Basis of all Computation constructor and method.

Objects and Classes 5. Library classes

Objects encapsulate state and behaviour – Introduction to wrapper classes, methods of
numerous examples; member variables; attributes wrapper class and their usage with respect to
or features. Variables define state; member numeric and character data types. Autoboxing and
methods; Operations/methods/messages/ methods Unboxing in wrapper classes.
define behaviour. Class as a composite type, distinction between
Classes as abstractions for sets of objects; class primitive data type and composite data type or
as an object factory; primitive data types, class types. Class may be considered as a new
composite data types. Variable declarations for data type created by the user, that has its own
both types; difference between the two types. functionality. The distinction between primitive
Objects as instances of a class. and composite types should be discussed through
Consider real life examples for explaining the examples. Show how classes allow user defined
types in programs. All primitive types have
concept of class and object.
corresponding class wrappers. Introduce
Autoboxing and Unboxing with their definition
3. User - defined Methods
and simple examples.
Need of methods, syntax of methods, forms of The following methods are to be covered:
methods, method definition, method calling,
method overloading, declaration of methods, int parseInt(String s),
Ways to define a method, ways to invoke the long parseLong(String s),
methods – call by value [with programs] and call
by reference [only definition with an example], float parseFloat(String s),
Object creation - invoking the methods with double parseDouble(String s),
respect to use of multiple methods with different boolean isDigit(char ch),
names to implement modular programming, using boolean isLetter(char ch),
data members and member methods, Actual
parameters and formal parameters, Declaration boolean isLetterOrDigit(char ch),
of methods - static and non-static, method boolean isLowerCase(char ch),
prototype / signature, - Pure and impure methods, boolean isUpperCase(char ch),
- pass by value [with programs] and pass by
boolean isWhitespace(char ch),
reference [only definition with an example],

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 char toLowerCase (char ch) String substring (int beginIndex)
char toUpperCase(char ch) String substring (int beginIndex, int endIndex)
boolean startsWith(String str)
6. Encapsulation
boolean endsWith(String str)
Access specifiers and its scope and visibility.
String valueOf(all types)
Access specifiers – private, protected and public.
Visibility rules for private, protected and public Outputs based on all the above methods,
access specifiers. Scope of variables, class Programs based on the above methods, extracting
variables, instance variables, argument variables, and modifying characters of a string, alphabetical
local variables. order of the strings in an array [Bubble sort
technique], searching for a string in a string array
7. Arrays using linear search technique. SIMPLE Programs
Definition of an array, declaration, initialization based on extraction of characters.
and accepting data of single dimensional array, NOTE: PROGRAMS BASED ON
accessing the elements of single dimensional EXTRACTION OF WORDS FROM A
array. SENTENCE ARE NOT INCLUDED.
Arrays and their uses, sorting technique - bubble
sort; Search techniques – linear search and binary INTERNAL ASSESSMENT - 100 Marks
search, Array as a composite type, length
This segment of the syllabus is totally practical
statement to find the size of the array (sorting and
oriented. The accent is on acquiring basic
searching techniques using single dimensional
programming skills quickly and efficiently.
array only).
Programming Assignments (Class X)
8. String handling
The students should complete a minimum of
String class, methods of String class, 20 laboratory assignments during the whole year to
implementation of String class methods, String reinforce the concepts studied in class.
array
Suggested list of Assignments:
The following String class methods are to be
The laboratory assignments will form the bulk of the
covered:
course. Good assignments should have problems
String trim () which require design, implementation and testing.
String toLowerCase() They should also embody one or more concepts that
have been discussed in the theory class. A
String toUpperCase()
significant proportion of the time has to be spent in the
int length( ) laboratory. Computing can only be learnt by doing.
char charAt (int n) The teacher-in-charge should maintain a record of all
int indexOf(char ch) the assignments done by the student throughout the
int lastIndexOf(char ch) year and give it due credit at the time of cumulative
evaluation at the end of the year.
String concat(String str)
Some sample problems are given below as examples.
boolean equals (String str)
The problems are of varying levels of difficulty:
boolean equalsIgnoreCase(String str) (i) User defined methods
int compareTo(String str) (a) Programs depicting the concept of pure,
int compareToIgnoreCase(String str) impure, static, non- static methods.
String replace (char oldChar,char newChar) (b) Programs based on overloaded methods.

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 (c) Programs involving data members, member EVALUATION
methods invoking the methods with respect to
The teacher-in-charge shall evaluate all the
the object created.
assignments done by the student throughout the year
(ii) Constructors [both written and practical work]. He/she shall ensure
(a) Programs based on different types of that most of the components of the syllabus have been
constructors mentioned in the scope of the used appropriately in the assignments. Assignments
syllabus. should be with appropriate list of variables and
(b) Programs / outputs based on constructor comment statements. The student has to mention the
overloading output of the programs.
(iii) Library classes Proposed Guidelines for Marking
(a) Outputs based on all the methods mentioned The teacher should use the criteria below to judge the
in the scope of the syllabus. internal work done. Basically, four criteria are being
suggested: class design, coding and documentation,
(b) Programs to check whether a given character
variable description and execution or output. The
is an uppercase/ lowercase / digit etc.
actual grading will be done by the teacher based on
(iv) Encapsulation his/her judgment. However, one possible way: divide
the outcome for each criterion into one of 4 groups:
Questions based on identifying the different
excellent, good, fair/acceptable, poor/unacceptable,
variables like local, instance, arguments, private,
then use numeric values for each grade and add to get
public, class variable etc.
the total.
(v) Arrays
Class design:
(a) Programs based on accessing the elements of Has a suitable class (or classes) been used?
an array. Are all attributes with the right kinds of types present?
(b) Programs based on sort techniques mentioned Is encapsulation properly done?
in the scope of the syllabus. Is the interface properly designed
(c) Programs based on search techniques Coding and documentation:
mentioned in the scope of the syllabus.
Is the coding done properly? (Choice of names, no
(vi) String handling unconditional jumps, proper organization of
(a) Outputs based on all the string methods conditions, proper choice of loops, error handling,
mentioned in the scope of the syllabus. code layout) Is the documentation complete and
readable? (class documentation, variable
(b) Programs based on extracting the characters documentation, method documentation, constraints,
from a given string and manipulating the known bugs - if any).
same.
Variable description:
(c) Palindrome string, pig Latin, alphabetical
order of characters, etc. Format for variable description:

Important: This list is indicative only. Teachers and Name of the Data Purpose/description
students should use their imagination to create Variable Type
innovative and original assignments.

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Execution or Output: • 2 periods – Lecture cum demonstration by the
Instructor.
Does the program run on all sample input correctly?
Evaluation of practical work will be done as • 2 periods – Assignments/Practical work.
follows: The hardware and software platforms should be such
that students can comfortably develop and run
Subject Teacher (Internal 50 marks
programs on those machines.
Examiner)
Since hardware and software evolve and change very
External Examiner 50 marks rapidly the schools shall need to upgrade them as
Criteria Class Variable Coding and Execution required. Following are the minimal specifications as
(Total- design description Documentation OR of now.
50 (10 (10 marks) (10 marks) Output
marks) marks) (20 RECOMMENDED FACILITIES:
marks) • A lecture cum demonstration room with a
MULTIMEDIA PROJECTOR/ an LCD and
Excellent 10 10 10 20
Overhead Projector (OHP) attached to the
Good 8 8 8 16 computer.
Fair 6 6 6 12 • A white board with white board markers should be
available.
Poor 4 4 4 8 • A fully equipped Computer Laboratory that allows
one computer per student.
An External Examiner shall be nominated by the Head • The computers should have a minimum of
of the School and may be a teacher from the faculty, 1 GB RAM and at least a P - IV or Equivalent
but not teaching the subject in the relevant Processor.
section/class. For example, A teacher of Computer • Good Quality printers.
Science of class VIII may be deputed to be the • A scanner, a web cam/a digital camera (Should be
External Examiner for class X. provided if possible).
The total marks obtained out of 100 are to be sent to
the Council by the Head of the school. SOFTWARE
The Head of the school will be responsible for the Any suitable Operating System can be used.
online entry of marks on the Council’s CAREERS For teaching fundamental concepts of computing
portal by the due date.
using object-oriented approach, Blue J environment
EQUIPMENT (3.2 or higher version) compatible with JDK (5.0 or
higher version) as the base or any other editor or IDE,
There should be enough computer systems to provide compatible with JDK (5.0 or higher version) as the
for a teaching schedule where at least three-fourth of a base may be used. Ensure that the latest versions of
time available is used for programming and software are used.
assignments/practical work. The course shall require
at least 4 periods of about 40 minutes duration per
week. In one week, out of 4 periods the time should be
divided as follows: