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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of RAM in a computer system?
What is the role of the Control Unit in a CPU?
What is the purpose of abstraction in computational thinking?
What is the purpose of a while loop in Python programming?
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What is the difference between a bit and a byte in terms of data size?
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What is the role of the operating system in managing input and output?
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What is the main purpose of data preparation in machine learning?
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Which type of machine learning involves an agent learning from its environment through trial and error?
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What is the purpose of a resistor in an electronic circuit?
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What is the name of the programming language used in a micropython file?
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What is the purpose of a breadboard in electronic circuits?
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What is the name of the part on a Picoboard that allows communication with a computer?
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Study Notes
Computer Systems
- A computer is an electronic device that can take input, process it, and produce output
- Fixed computers are designed to perform a specific task, whereas programmable computers can be programmed to perform various tasks
Calculators vs Computers
- Calculators are designed to perform mathematical calculations, whereas computers can perform a wide range of tasks beyond calculations
Input and Output
- Input devices: keyboard, mouse, scanner, etc.
- Output devices: monitor, printer, speaker, etc.
RAM vs ROM
- RAM (Random Access Memory) is a volatile memory that stores data temporarily while the computer is running
- ROM (Read-Only Memory) is a non-volatile memory that stores permanent data
Secondary Storage
- Necessary for storing data permanently
- Types: hard disk, solid-state drive, flash drive, magnetic tape, optical disc
- Technologies used: magnetic, optical, solid-state
CPU
- Parts: ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit), buses, clock, registers, control unit
- ALU performs arithmetic and logical operations
- Buses connect different parts of the CPU
- Clock generates the clock signal
- Registers store data temporarily
- Control unit retrieves and executes instructions
Operating System
- Roles: managing memory, program execution, input/output, user interface, communication
- Manages memory by allocating and deallocating memory to programs
- Executes programs by retrieving and executing instructions
- Manages input/output by interacting with input/output devices
- Manages user interface by providing a graphical user interface (GUI)
- Manages communication by facilitating communication between devices and programs
Binary
- A binary number system that uses only two digits: 0 and 1
- Denary to binary conversion: each digit of the denary number is converted to its equivalent binary number
- Binary to denary conversion: each binary digit is converted to its equivalent denary number
- Binary maths: addition and subtraction of binary numbers
Data Sizes
- Bit: the smallest unit of data
- Nibble: 4 bits
- Byte: 8 bits
- Kilobyte: 1024 bytes
- Megabyte: 1024 kilobytes
- Gigabyte: 1024 megabytes
- Terabyte: 1024 gigabytes
Algorithms, Computational Thinking, and Introduction to Python
Computational Thinking
- Abstraction: breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts
- Decomposition: breaking down problems into smaller, more manageable parts
- Pattern recognition: identifying patterns and relationships between data
Algorithms
- A set of instructions to solve a problem
- Representing algorithms: flowcharts, pseudocode, etc.
Python Programming
- Sequence: a series of instructions executed in a specific order
- Selection: decisions made based on conditions or inputs
- Iterations: repeating instructions until a condition is met
- Variables: storing and retrieving data
- Assigning and changing variable values
- Selection: if-else statements
- Data types: integer, float, string, etc.
- Casting data types: converting data types during input
Artificial Intelligence
AI Experience
- Rules-based programming: programming based on predefined rules
- Data-driven programming: programming based on data and patterns
Types of AI
- Machine Learning: training models on data to make predictions
- Narrow AI: focused on a specific task or domain
- General AI: capable of performing any intellectual task
Types of Machine Learning
- Supervised: training models on labeled data
- Unsupervised: training models on unlabeled data
- Reinforcement: training models based on rewards or penalties
- Semi-supervised: combining supervised and unsupervised learning
AI Lifecycle
- Defining the problem: identifying the problem to be solved
- Preparing data: collecting, cleaning, and preprocessing data
- Training: training models on prepared data
- Testing: evaluating models on test data
- Evaluating the model: measuring model performance and accuracy
Machine Learning: Data Preparation
- Cleaning data: removing duplicates, missing data, and invalid data
- Handling biases: removing biases in data
Machine Learning: Testing
- Testing for bias: evaluating model performance on different data sets
- Measuring accuracy and confidence: evaluating model performance
Machine Learning: Confidence and Accuracy
- Bias in, bias out: models can perpetuate biases in data
- Decision Trees: a machine learning algorithm for classification and regression
Physical Computing with Picoboards
Electronic Components
- Picoboard: a microcontroller-based development board
- Breadboard: a prototyping platform for electronic circuits
- Jumper wires: connecting components on a breadboard
- LED: a light-emitting diode
- Resistor: a component that regulates voltage and current
- Sensor: a component that detects changes in the environment
- Motor driver: a component that controls motor speed and direction
- Power supply: a component that provides power to the circuit
- Buttons: input components that trigger actions
- Buzzer: an output component that produces sound
Electricity and Frequency
- Electron flow: the flow of electrons in a circuit
- Voltage levels: typical voltage levels in an electronic circuit (e.g., 5V, 3.3V)
- Frequencies: the number of oscillations per second (e.g., 50Hz, 60Hz)
Parts of a Picoboard
- GPIO pins: input/output pins
- USB connector: connects to a computer
- CPU: the brain of the picoboard
- LED: a light-emitting diode
- Debug pins: for debugging and troubleshooting
- GND pins: ground pins
- Power pins: for powering the circuit
Microcontrollers
- Purposes: controlling devices, processing data, and interacting with the environment
- Examples: robots, drones, smart home devices, etc.
Micropython
- Library modules: pre-written code for tasks and functions
- Functions: reusable blocks of code
- Loops: repeating instructions until a condition is met
- Variables: storing and retrieving data
- Inputs and outputs: reading and writing data to and from the picoboard
Breadboards
- Arrangement: placing connections on bars and rails
- Effect: connecting components to create a circuit
- Pin to breadboard numbers: identifying correct pin connections using a diagram
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Description
This quiz covers the basics of computer systems, including types of computers, input/output devices, memory, storage, and CPU components.
