Introduction to Computer Systems

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