Computer Systems Basics

Study Notes

Computer Systems

A computer is a programmable electronic device that can store, process, and communicate information.
Fixed computers are designed to perform a single task, while programmable computers can be programmed to perform a variety of tasks.
Calculators are limited to basic arithmetic operations, whereas computers can perform complex calculations and store data.

Input and Output

Input devices: keyboards, scanners, microphones, cameras
Output devices: monitors, speakers, printers, projectors

RAM and ROM

RAM (Random Access Memory): volatile, stores data temporarily while the computer is running
ROM (Read-Only Memory): non-volatile, stores data permanently, even when the computer is turned off

Secondary Storage

Necessary for storing large amounts of data when the computer is turned off
Types: magnetic (hard drives, floppy disks), optical (CDs, DVDs), solid-state (flash drives, SSDs)
Technologies used: magnetic, optical, solid-state

CPU

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit): performs mathematical operations
Busses: pathways for data transfer between components
Clock: regulates the pace of operations
Registers: small amounts of on-chip memory
Control Unit: manages data flow and instruction execution

Operating System

Manages memory, program execution, input/output, and user interface (GUI)
Manages communication between hardware and software

Binary

A base-2 number system using 0s and 1s
Convert denary (base-10) numbers to binary: division by 2, remainder becomes the binary digit
Convert binary to denary: sum of (binary digit * 2^n)

Binary Maths

Add three binary numbers together using the standard rules of arithmetic

Data Sizes

bit: single binary digit
nibble: 4 bits
byte: 8 bits
kilobyte (KB): 1024 bytes
megabyte (MB): 1024 KB
gigabyte (GB): 1024 MB
terabyte (TB): 1024 GB

Algorithms, Computational Thinking, and Python

Abstraction: breaking down complex problems into simpler parts
Decomposition: breaking down problems into smaller, manageable parts
Pattern recognition: identifying patterns to solve problems
Algorithm: a set of instructions to solve a problem
Representing Algorithms: flowcharts, pseudocode

Computational Thinking

Sequence: the order of steps in a program or algorithm
Selection: using if-else statements to make decisions
Iteration: using loops to repeat tasks

Python Programming

Variables: store and change values in a program
Selection: if-else statements
Data Types: numbers, strings, booleans
Iteration: while loops, for loops

AI Experience

AI: Artificial Intelligence, creating intelligent machines
Rule-based programming: using fixed rules to solve problems
Data-driven programming: using data to make decisions
Types of AI: Machine Learning, Narrow AI, General AI

Machine Learning

Supervised Learning: labeled data, learns to map inputs to outputs
Unsupervised Learning: unlabeled data, discovers patterns
Reinforcement Learning: learns through trial and error
Semi-supervised Learning: combination of supervised and unsupervised learning

AI Lifecycle

Defining the problem
Preparing Data
Training
Testing
Evaluating the Model

Machine Learning: Data Preparation

Cleaning: removing duplicates, missing, and invalid data

Machine Learning: Testing

Bias: testing for bias in data
Measuring accuracy and confidence
Bias in, bias out: model reflects the bias in the data

Decision Trees

A visualization of decisions and possible outcomes
Made by training a model on data

Physical Computing with Picoboards

Electronic Components:
- Breadboard: for prototyping electronic circuits
- Jumper wires: connect components
- LED: light-emitting diode
- Resistor: controls voltage
- Sensor: detects changes in environment
- Motor driver: controls motor speed
- Power supply: provides voltage
- Buttons: inputs
- Buzzers: outputs

Electricity and Frequency

Electron flow: flow of electrons in a circuit
Typical voltage levels: 3.3V, 5V, 9V
Frequencies: Hertz (Hz), e.g., 50Hz, 60Hz

Picoboard

GPIO pins: for input/output
USB connector: connects to computer
CPU: central processing unit
LED: onboard light
Debug pins: for debugging
GND pins: ground connections
Power pins: power connections

Microcontrollers

Purposes: control devices, interact with sensors, etc.
Examples: robotic arms, home automation systems

Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of computer systems, including the differences between fixed and programmable computers, input/output devices, RAM and ROM, secondary storage, and CPU components. Test your understanding of the basic components and functions of a computer system.

Computer Systems Basics

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of a resistor in an electronic circuit?

Which type of machine learning involves a model learning from a labelled dataset?

What is the primary function of a microcontroller?

What is the term for a machine learning model that is trained on biased data and therefore produces biased results?

What is the purpose of cleaning and preparing data in machine learning?

What is the term for the arrangement of connections on a breadboard?

What is the primary function of the Control Unit in a CPU?

What is the purpose of abstraction in computational thinking?

What is the difference between RAM and ROM?

What is the purpose of a variable in a program or algorithm?

What is the role of the Operating System in managing memory?

What is the purpose of the ALU in a CPU?