Computer science summary

Units computer memory notation

1 Byte = 8 bits
1 Kilobyte = 1024 bytes
1 megabyte = 1024 kilobytes
1 gigabyte = 1024 megabyte
Hexadecimal

 Closely related to the binary system

 Hexadecimal is base 16 system
 Numbers 0 to 9 and letters A to fare used to represent each hexadecimal digit

A=10
B=11
C=12
D=13
E=14
F=15
Use of the Hexadecimal system

 Defining colours in Hypertext markup language (HTML)

 Media Access Control (MAC) addresses
 Assembly languages and machines code
 Debugging
 Memory code
Hexadecimal is used when developing new software or when trying to trace
errors

Data transmission
Simplex= one direction only (tv screen, computer to a printer)
Half-duplex= both directions but not at the same time(walk-talkie)
Full duplex= both directions simultaneously (social network)

Serial and parallel transmission

Serial data transmission is when data is sent one bit at a time

Parallel transmission multiple bit at a time (8 bits)

Serial Parallel
Cheap Expensive
slower Faster
Good for long distances Good for short distances
Data congestion can take place No data congestion
Safer Less safe
 Synchronous and Asynchronous
Synchronous

 A continuous stream of data

 The data is accompanied by timing signals (generated by an internal clock)
 The clock ensures the sender and receiver are in step with each other
 The receiver counts how many bits were sent over a period of time then
reassembles them into bytes (multiple bytes sent at once)
 Timings have to be accurate as there are no control bits
 Faster than asynchronous

Asynchronous

 Data is transmitted in discrete packets (usually 1 byte)

 Each packet of data is sent with control bits
 The control bits allow the receiver to know when the data starts and ends
 The control bits prevent the packets of data getting mixed up
 Packets are sent intermittently (they have uneven time intervals between
them)
 Slower than synchronous

USB- Universal Serial Bus

 USB is asynchronous serial data transmission method

 USB consist of:

Four-wire shielded cable

Two wires used for power and earth
Two wires used in data transmission

Advantages Disadvantages
Automatically detected Only, fit one way Maximum cable length is about 5
(plug-and-play) meters

Prevents incorrect connection Transmission rate is less than

500mb/sec
Different data transmission rates
 Error method checking
Parity Checking
 Parity checking is used to check weather data has been
changed or corrupted following transmission from one
device to another
 A byte of data is allocated a parity bit
o Systems that use even parity have an even number of
1-bits
o Systems that use odd parity have an even number of
1-bits

Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ)

 A form of error detection using acknowledgements and timeouts.

 ARQs are often used to ensure reliable transmissions over an unreliable
service.

Checksum
 Checksum is another way to see if data has been
transmitted correctly
 Data is sent in blocks and an additional value sent at the
end of the block
Echo check
 When data is sent to another device, this data is sent
back again to the sender
 The sender compares the two sets to check if any errors
occurred
 Not reliable
Internet Technologies
Internet Protocol (IP) Address
 Each device on the internet is given a unique address
known as the IP address
 32-bit number written in the form: 109.108.158.1
 IP address gives the location of a device on the internet
whereas the MAC address identifies the device
connected to the internet
 IP address changes, MAC address remains unchanged

ISP Internet Service Provider

An ISP is a company that provides internet access.

Mac address

 MAC address refers to a number which uniquely

identifies a device on the internet
 Refers to the network interface card (NIC) which is part
of the device
 Usually made up of 48 bits shown as six groups of
hexadecimal digits
 NN: NN: NN:DD:DD:DD
o (NN: NN: NN) first half is the identity number of the
manufacturer of the device
o (DD:DD:DD) second half is the serial number of the
device
 Types of MAC Address:
o Universally Administrated MAC Address (UAA)
o Locally Administrated MAC Address (LAA)
o UAA is the most common type set by the
manufacturer

HTML (Hypertext Mark-up Language)

 Used when writing and developing pages
 Mark-up language is used in the processing
 Html use <tags> to bracket piece of codes
 Different intensity of colours is determined by its
hexadecimal value

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

HTTP is a protocol (set of rules) used when transmitting files (data) over the world
wide web
When you browse the WWW using a web browser, you are using the HTTP protocol.
Often, you will now see the HTTPS protocol used instead of HTTP.
HTTPS is an encrypted and secure version of HTTP.

Internet Server Provider (ISP)

An Internet Server Provider (ISP) is a company that provides users with access to
the internet.

It would be impractical and costly for individuals and most companies to connect to
the internet infrastructure directly, hence the importance of ISPs who give them
access at an affordable monthly price.

ISPs often provide additional services to their customers too, such as email
addresses, web hosting and the supply / loan of equipment.
 Operation systems-examples

 Microsoft Windows
 IOS
 Android
 MacOS
 Windows server
 Windows phone

What does it do?

 Input and output control

 Multitasking
 Security (password)
 Memory management
 Processor management
 Loading and running of APPS/software
 Management of user’s accounts
 Files utilities (copy, save, delete)
 Error handling

Multitasking- execute more than one program or task simultaneously

Internet handling- A hardware interrupt is often created by an input device, such as a

mouse or a keyboard. For example, if you are using a word and press the key, the
program must process the input immediately. Typing “hello” requires five internet
requests.

Each time you click a mouse button or tap a touchscreen, you send an interrupt
signal to the device

Memory Management- Memory management is a broad term that incorporates

all processes and methodologies for the effective use, allocation, monitoring and
management of computer memory.

Processor management- In multiprogramming environment, the operating

system decides which process gets the processor when and for how much time.
Error Handling- Error handling refers to the anticipation, detection and resolution
of programming, application and communication error.

Computer architecture

Buses- They move data around the computer and also send signals to make sure
everything is synchronized.

Address Bus- Carries signals related to addresses between the processor and the
memory – unidirectional.

Data Bus- Sends data between the processor, the memory, and the output and
input devices- bidirectional.

Control Bus- Carries signals related to the control and coordination of all activities
within the computer- unidirectional.

Components of CPU (central processing unit)

 Arithmetic logic unit-ALU

 Control Unit-CU
 Memory and storage unit

Functions of CPU- The CPU, or Central Processing Unit is the heath and the
brain pf every computer.

Function of Control Unit- A control unit decides how data moves around the
CPU, it tell the computer’s memory, arithmetic/ logic unit and input and output
devices how to respond a program’s instructions.

Functions of ALU (Arithmetic logic unit)- Is a digital circuit used to perform

arithmetic and logic operations.

Functions of memory- The basic function of computer memory is essentially to

store data. Depending on the type of data, it stores and the role it plays in computer
operation. However, memory performs several different functions.

Input and Output devices

input device-sends information to the computer system for processing.

Output device- produces or displays the result of that processing

Input devices

 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Joystick
 Web camera
 Microphone
 Touchscreens

Output devices

 Laser printers
 2D/3D printers
 LED monitors
 Projectors

Memory

Primary memory

Rom- “read only memory” is a storage medium that is used with computers and
other electronic devices. As the name indicates, data stored in ROM may only be
read.

RAM- “Random Access Memory” is the main memory in the computer. RAM in the
hardware in a computer device where the operating system application programs
and data in current use and kept so they can be quickly reached by de processor.

Secondary memory

HDD- Hard Disk Drive is a memory that controls the positing, reading and writing of
the hard disk.

SSD-Solid State Drive is a type of mass storage device similar to a hard disk
(HDD). It supports reading and writing data and maintains stored data in a
permanent state even without power.
CD ROM- Compact Disc, read only-memory is and adaption of the CD that is
designed to store computer data in the form of text and graphics

DVD- Digital Versatile Disc is a type of optical media used for storing digital data. It
is the same size as CD but, as a larger storage capacity.

USB Flash Drive- is used for data storage that includes a flash memory and an
integrated USB interface.

SD Card- Secure Digital Memory Card is a very popular flash memory card used
primarily for camera and extra phone storage.

Compression of data

Lossy- it’s a type of data compression but some of data is lost.

 Advantages: Very small file sizes and lots of tools, plugins, and software
support it.
 Disadvantages: Quality degrades with higher ratio of compression. Can’t get
original back after compressing.

Lossless- it’s a type of data compression and none of the data is lost.

 Advantages: No loss of quality, slight decreases in image file sizes.

 Disadvantages: Larger files than if you were to use lossy compression.