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End-user and functional requirements

National 5 Computing Science: Database design and development, Web design and development

Both the database and the web sections start with analysis: what the solution must do. The examiners' reports for 2023 and 2025 say many candidates write an end-user requirement when a functional requirement is asked for.

The difference

  • End-user requirements are the tasks the users want to do, in their own terms: "I want to see which campsite pitches are free in July."
  • Functional requirements say what the solution must do to make that possible: the processes it carries out and the data it holds.

For a database

A campsite asks for a database. Campers said they want to find which pitches have electric hook-up, and see the price of each pitch.

  • "Campers want to find the pitches with electric hook-up." (End-user requirement: it repeats what the users said.)
  • "The database must store each pitch's number, price and whether it has electric hook-up." (Functional: data the database holds.)
  • "The database must search for pitches that have electric hook-up." (Functional: a process it carries out.)

For a website

The same campsite wants a website. Visitors said they want to see photos of the site and find out how to get there.

  • "Visitors want to see what the campsite looks like." (End-user requirement.)
  • "The website must display photos of the campsite." (Functional: what the website must do.)
  • "The website must have a page with directions and a map." (Functional.)
What gains the mark

Start with what the solution must do: "the database must store / search / sort ..." or "the website must display / link to / play ...". Then name the actual data or content from the question.

Try two exam-style questions

Choose an answer, say how sure you are, then press Check. Every wrong answer tells you why it is wrong.

The Website requirements simulation
In the course: Website requirements. Sort what a client says into end-user and functional requirements, then check each one.

The full course covers every topic like this. Every topic in National 5 Computing Science has a short note, a simulation to try and a practice quiz with feedback on every answer, plus coding lessons, a full mock exam and a progress report for parents.

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This site is independent: it is not connected to the SQA or Qualifications Scotland. Points from the examiners' course reports are given in our own words.