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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the Control Unit in a CPU?
What is the main difference between RAM and ROM?
What is the primary role of the Operating System?
What is the purpose of Secondary Storage?
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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?
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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?
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What is the purpose of a microcontroller?
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What is the purpose of the debug pins on a picoboard?
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What is the purpose of a breadboard?
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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?
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What is the purpose of abstraction in computational thinking?
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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?
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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.
