12 Questions
What is the primary function of the Control Unit in a CPU?
Fetch and decode instructions
What is the purpose of ROM in a computer system?
To hold permanent data that does not change
What is the term for breaking down a complex problem into smaller, manageable parts?
Decomposition
What is the purpose of a variable in a programming language?
To hold a value that can change during program execution
What is the term for converting denary numbers to binary numbers?
Binary conversion
What is the function of the ALU in a CPU?
To perform arithmetic and logical operations
What is the primary goal of the data preparation stage in the AI lifecycle?
To remove duplicates and invalid data
What type of AI is designed to perform a specific task, such as facial recognition or language translation?
Narrow AI
What is the purpose of a resistor in an electronic circuit?
To control the flow of current
What is the term for the concept of electron flow in a circuit?
Electricity
What is the purpose of a debug pin on a Picoboard?
To provide a debugging output
What is the term for the process of training a model using both labeled and unlabeled data?
Semi-supervised Learning
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
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.
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