Robust ProgramsKey Facts

Defensive Design Principles

Part of Defensive DesignGCSE Computer Science

This key facts covers Defensive Design Principles within Defensive Design for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Defensive Design in Robust Programs for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 8 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 2 of 5 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 2 of 5

Practice

15 questions

Recall

8 flashcards

Defensive Design Principles

Principle Description Example
Input Validation Check data before processing Age must be 0-120
Input Sanitisation Clean/remove dangerous characters Remove < > from text
Anticipating Misuse Plan for incorrect/malicious use Limit login attempts
Authentication Verify user identity Username + password
Maintainability Code that's easy to update Comments, naming, indentation

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Defensive Design. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Defensive Design

What is the purpose of input validation in a program?

  • A. To check that the user is who they claim to be
  • B. To check that input data meets specified rules before processing
  • C. To encrypt data before it is stored
  • D. To remove duplicate records from a database
1 markfoundation

Describe three different types of validation check, giving an example of each.

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What is authentication?
Verifying a user's identity before granting access to a system
Why use comments?
To explain code so others can understand and maintain it

Want to test your knowledge?

PrepWise has 15 exam-style questions and 8 flashcards for Defensive Design — with adaptive difficulty and instant feedback.

Join Alpha