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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 purpose of ROM in a computer system?
What is the purpose of ROM in a computer system?
What is the term for breaking down a complex problem into smaller, manageable parts?
What is the term for breaking down a complex problem into smaller, manageable parts?
What is the purpose of a variable in a programming language?
What is the purpose of a variable in a programming language?
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What is the term for converting denary numbers to binary numbers?
What is the term for converting denary numbers to binary numbers?
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What is the function of the ALU in a CPU?
What is the function of the ALU in a CPU?
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What is the primary goal of the data preparation stage in the AI lifecycle?
What is the primary goal of the data preparation stage in the AI lifecycle?
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What type of AI is designed to perform a specific task, such as facial recognition or language translation?
What type of AI is designed to perform a specific task, such as facial recognition or language translation?
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What is the purpose of a resistor in an electronic circuit?
What is the purpose of a resistor in an electronic circuit?
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What is the term for the concept of electron flow in a circuit?
What is the term for the concept of electron flow in a circuit?
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What is the purpose of a debug pin on a Picoboard?
What is the purpose of a debug pin on a Picoboard?
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What is the term for the process of training a model using both labeled and unlabeled data?
What is the term for the process of training a model using both labeled and unlabeled data?
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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
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Description
Learn about the fundamentals of computer systems, including types of computers, input/output, memory, secondary storage, and CPU components. Understand the differences between fixed and programmable computers, RAM and ROM, and more.
