12 Questions
What is the primary purpose of a resistor in an electronic circuit?
To regulate current flow
Which type of machine learning involves a model learning from a labelled dataset?
Supervised learning
What is the primary function of a microcontroller?
To control and interact with electronic components
What is the term for a machine learning model that is trained on biased data and therefore produces biased results?
Bias in, bias out
What is the purpose of cleaning and preparing data in machine learning?
To remove duplicates and invalid data
What is the term for the arrangement of connections on a breadboard?
Rails and bars
What is the primary function of the Control Unit in a CPU?
Managing the flow of data and instructions
What is the purpose of abstraction in computational thinking?
Hiding unnecessary details to focus on essential features
What is the difference between RAM and ROM?
RAM is volatile, while ROM is non-volatile
What is the purpose of a variable in a program or algorithm?
To store and manipulate data
What is the role of the Operating System in managing memory?
Allocating memory to different programs and managing memory allocation
What is the purpose of the ALU in a CPU?
Performing arithmetic and logical operations
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
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.
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