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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the Control Unit in a CPU?
What is the primary function of the Control Unit in a CPU?
What is the main difference between RAM and ROM?
What is the main difference between RAM and ROM?
What is the primary role of the Operating System?
What is the primary role of the Operating System?
What is the purpose of Secondary Storage?
What is the purpose of Secondary Storage?
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What is the result of converting the denary number 12 to binary?
What is the result of converting the denary number 12 to binary?
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What is the primary purpose of data preparation in machine learning?
What is the primary purpose of data preparation in machine learning?
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What type of AI is designed to perform a specific task?
What type of AI is designed to perform a specific task?
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What is the purpose of a sensor in an electronic circuit?
What is the purpose of a sensor in an electronic circuit?
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What is the purpose of a microcontroller?
What is the purpose of a microcontroller?
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What is the purpose of the debug pins on a picoboard?
What is the purpose of the debug pins on a picoboard?
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What is the purpose of a breadboard?
What is the purpose of a breadboard?
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What is the primary purpose of the ALU in a CPU?
What is the primary purpose of the ALU in a CPU?
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What is the main difference between a fixed computer and a programmable computer?
What is the main difference between a fixed computer and a programmable computer?
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What is the purpose of abstraction in computational thinking?
What is the purpose of abstraction in computational thinking?
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What is the function of the clock in a CPU?
What is the function of the clock in a CPU?
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What is the main purpose of variables in a program or algorithm?
What is the main purpose of variables in a program or algorithm?
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What is the purpose of iteration in a program or algorithm?
What is the purpose of iteration in a program or algorithm?
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Study Notes
What is a Computer?
- A computer is an electronic device that can store, process, and communicate information.
Fixed vs Programmable Computers
- Fixed computers: designed to perform a specific task and cannot be changed.
- Programmable computers: can be programmed to perform different tasks and can be modified.
Calculators vs Computers
- Calculators: electronic devices designed to perform mathematical calculations.
- Computers: electronic devices that can perform a wide range of tasks, including calculations, processing, and communication.
Input and Output
- Inputs: devices that allow users to enter data or instructions into the computer, such as keyboards, mice, and scanners.
- Outputs: devices that display or produce the results of the computer's processing, such as monitors, printers, and speakers.
RAM vs ROM
- RAM (Random Access Memory): temporary storage for data and programs that the computer is currently using.
- ROM (Read-Only Memory): permanent storage for data and programs that do not change, such as the computer's BIOS.
Secondary Storage
- Necessary because RAM is volatile and limited in capacity.
- Types of secondary storage: hard drives, solid-state drives, flash drives, magnetic tapes, and optical discs.
- Technologies used: magnetic, optical, and solid-state.
CPU
- ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit): performs mathematical calculations and logical operations.
- Busses: pathways for data and instructions to move between different parts of the computer.
- Clock: regulates the timing of the computer's operations.
- Registers: small amounts of memory built into the CPU to store temporary results.
- Control Unit: retrieves and executes instructions, manages data flow.
Operating System
- Role: manages memory, executes programs, manages input and output, manages user interface (GUI), and manages communication.
- Manages memory by allocating and deallocating space for programs and data.
- Executes programs by loading and running them in the CPU.
- Manages input and output by controlling the flow of data between devices and the CPU.
- Manages user interface by providing a visual interface for users to interact with the computer.
- Manages communication by controlling the flow of data between the computer and other devices.
Binary
- A binary number system that uses only two digits: 0 and 1.
- Can be converted from and to denary (decimal) numbers.
Converting Denary to Binary
- Example: 12 (denary) = 1100 (binary)
Converting Binary to Denary
- Example: 1100 (binary) = 12 (denary)
Binary Maths
- Can add three binary numbers together using the rules of binary arithmetic.
Data Sizes
- Bit: the smallest unit of data, representing a single binary digit.
- Nibble: a group of 4 bits, often used to represent a single hexadecimal digit.
- Byte: a group of 8 bits, often used to represent a single character or number.
- Kilobyte (KB): 1024 bytes.
- Megabyte (MB): 1024 kilobytes.
- Gigabyte (GB): 1024 megabytes.
- Terabyte (TB): 1024 gigabytes.
Computers and Computing
- A computer is an electronic device that can perform calculations, process information, and store data.
- Fixed computers are designed to perform a specific task, whereas programmable computers can be reprogrammed to perform different tasks.
Calculators vs. Computers
- Calculators are designed for mathematical calculations, whereas computers are more versatile and can perform various tasks.
Input and Output
- Input devices: keyboards, scanners, microphones, etc.
- Output devices: monitors, speakers, printers, etc.
RAM vs. ROM
- RAM (Random Access Memory) is a volatile memory that temporarily stores data and programs while the computer is running.
- ROM (Read-Only Memory) is a non-volatile memory that permanently stores data and programs.
Secondary Storage
- Necessary for storing large amounts of data and programs when the computer is not running.
- Types: Hard Disk Drives (HDD), Solid-State Drives (SSD), Optical Drives (CD, DVD, Blu-ray), etc.
- Technologies used: Magnetic, Optical, Solid-State.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
- Components:
- ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit): performs arithmetic and logical operations.
- Busses: connect CPU to RAM and other components.
- Clock: synchronizes CPU operations.
- Registers: small amount of on-chip memory.
- Control Unit: manages data flow and instruction execution.
Operating System
- Manages:
- Memory: allocates and deallocates memory for programs.
- Program execution: loads and runs programs.
- Input and Output: manages input/output devices.
- User Interface (GUI): provides a user interface.
- Communication: manages communication between devices.
Binary
- A binary number is a number represented using only two digits: 0 and 1.
- Can be converted from decimal (denary) numbers.
- Binary maths: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
Data Sizes
- Bit: 0 or 1.
- Nibble: 4-bit (half-byte).
- Byte: 8-bit (full-byte).
- Kilobyte (KB): 1024 bytes.
- Megabyte (MB): 1024 KB.
- Gigabyte (GB): 1024 MB.
- Terabyte (TB): 1024 GB.
Computational Thinking
- Abstraction: breaking down complex problems into simpler components.
- Decomposition: breaking down complex problems into smaller sub-problems.
- Pattern Recognition: identifying patterns in data.
Algorithms
- A sequence of instructions to solve a problem.
- Represented using flowcharts, pseudocode, or programming languages.
- Can be divided into input, process, and output stages.
Python Programming
- Sequence: a series of steps executed in order.
- Selection: using if-else statements to make decisions.
- Iteration: using loops (while, for) to repeat tasks.
- Variables: storing and updating values.
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
- Rule-based programming: using predefined rules to make decisions.
- Data-driven programming: using data to train models.
- Types:
- Machine Learning: training models on data.
- Narrow AI: specialized AI for a specific task.
- General AI: human-like AI for various tasks.
Machine Learning
- Lifecycle:
- Defining the problem.
- Preparing data.
- Training.
- Testing.
- Evaluating the model.
- Data Preparation (Cleaning):
- Handling duplicates, missing data, and invalid data.
- Testing:
- Testing for Bias.
- Measuring accuracy and confidence.
Electronic Components
- Picoboard: a microcontroller development board.
- Breadboard: a DIY electronic project board.
- Components:
- Jumper wires.
- LED (Light Emitting Diode).
- Resistor.
- Sensor.
- Motor driver.
- Power supply.
- Buttons.
- Buzzers.
Electricity and Frequency
- Electron flow in a circuit.
- Typical voltage levels (Volts) and frequencies (Hz) in electronic circuits.
Micropython
- A lightweight Python implementation for microcontrollers.
- Library modules, functions, loops, variables, inputs, and outputs.
Microcontrollers
- Purposes: robotics, IoT, automation, and embedded systems.
- Examples: Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32.
Breadboards
- Arrangement: rows and columns of holes for connecting components.
- Effect of placing connections on bars and rails.
- Pin to breadboard numbering using a diagram.
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Description
Test your understanding of computer basics, including types of computers, input/output, memory, storage, and CPU components.
