TECH HORIZONS FINAL Study Guide PDF

ALGORITHMS 1. What is an algorithm? Can you give an example of an algorithm that you might use that is not computer related? Does an algorithm need to be 100% efficient to be useful? Why? Algorithm: A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem. Example: A recipe for baking a cake. Efficiency: No,...

ALGORITHMS 1. What is an algorithm? Can you give an example of an algorithm that you might use that is not computer related? Does an algorithm need to be 100% efficient to be useful? Why? Algorithm: A step-by-step procedure for solving a problem. Example: A recipe for baking a cake. Efficiency: No, an algorithm doesn't need to be 100% efficient to be useful, as it depends on the context and acceptable performance. 2. Do you remember the 4 data types in App Inventor? (numbers, text, Boolean, objects) Numbers, text, Boolean, objects. 3. The 5th data type we find in App Inventor is the list. What is a list? Can you give an example of a list you might find in a computer program? List: A collection of items stored in a specific order. Example: A to-do list in a task management app. 4. We discussed loops and while loops in class. When would you use a for loop and when would you use a while loop? For Loop: Use when the number of iterations is known. While Loop: Use when the condition depends on runtime. 5. What is Big O notation? Which of the classifications of Big O notation are considered fine to use and which are considered unacceptable or perhaps considered undesirable to use once the number of items in your data set starts to grow? Big O Notation: Measures algorithm efficiency in terms of time or space. Fine: O(1), O(log n), O(n). Undesirable: O(n²), O(2ⁿ). 6. What is the difference between a linear search and a binary search? If your data set has 9 numbers in it, what would the worst-case scenario be for a linear search and what would the worst-case scenario be for a binary search? How did you arrive at your answer for each search? What is the major downside to a binary search? Linear Search: Worst case is 9 comparisons. Binary Search: Worst case is 4 comparisons (log₂(9) rounded up). Downside: Requires sorted data. 7. What is sorting and what are a couple of reasons to sort data? Sorting: Organizing data in order. Reasons: Easier searching, better data analysis. 8. Briefly, how does a quicksort work? Quicksort: Divides data using a pivot, recursively sorts partitions. 9. Briefly, how does a selection sort work? Selection Sort: Finds the smallest element, swaps it to the front, repeats for the rest. MULTIMEDIA 1. Define multimedia and be able to give an example. − Multimedia: Combining different forms of media (text, audio, video). − Example: A YouTube video. 2. What are some key differences between an infographic and visualization? This link may help you, come up with a solid answer: https://www.statsilk.com/blog/real-difference-between infographics-and-data-visualizations Infographic vs. Visualization: Infographic: Static, storytelling focused. Visualization: Dynamic, data-focused 3. How is media represented in computers? Media in Computers: Represented as binary data (0s and 1s). 4. What is a bit? What does 0 represent? What does 1 represent? How many bits in a byte? Bit: Smallest data unit; 0 = off, 1 = on. Byte: 8 bits. 5. Can you place kilo, mega, giga, and tera in order? What is the value of each prefix? Order: Kilo (10³), Mega (10⁶), Giga (10⁹), Tera (10¹²). 6. Be able to convert binary to decimal and convert decimal to binary. At least one of each problem will be in your final exam. Binary to Decimal: Add powers of 2 for 1s in the binary number. Decimal to Binary: Divide by 2, record remainders. 7. What is ASCII? What is Unicode? Why do we need Unicode when ASCII exists? Why isn’t ASCII enough? ASCII: 7-bit encoding for characters. Unicode: Supports more characters globally. Need: ASCII is too limited for global languages. 8. What is a pixel? How many colors are in a pixel? Pixel: Smallest screen unit. Colors: Up to 16.7 million (24-bit color). 9. What are the key differences between a JPG, GIF, and PNG? This link, along with your notes, should help you: https://blog.imagekit.io/jpeg-vs-png-vs-gif-which-image-format-to-use-and- when-c8913ae3e01d JPG: Best for photos, lossy. GIF: Animation, limited colors. PNG: Transparency, lossless. 10. Why is compression important when dealing with media files? Can you have too much compression? Why or why not? Compression: Saves storage and bandwidth. Too Much: Reduces quality excessively. 11. What is the difference between lossy and lossless compression? Lossy vs. Lossless: Lossy: Removes some data (e.g., JPG). Lossless: Retains all data (e.g., PNG). 12. What is sampling? Can you give an example of a lossy audio file and a lossless audio file? How about the same question with an image file? Sampling: Digitizing continuous signals. Lossy Audio: MP3. Lossless Audio: FLAC. Lossy Image: JPG. Lossless Image: PNG. 13. What makes up a video file? Why are frames per second important? Video File: Frames, audio, metadata. FPS Importance: Smooth motion. 14. Can you give an example or two of an ethical issue that might arise when dealing with multimedia files? Ethical Issues: Misinformation via deepfakes. Copyright infringement. 15. Be sure to look over the web links used in class when discussing ethical issues. (Dove campaign, Adobe VoCo, Lyrebird, and Google duplex.) Review Links: Check notes on Dove campaign, Adobe VoCo, Lyrebird, and Google Duplex for insights on ethical multimedia use. HARDWARE & SOFTWARE 1. List the 4 computing platforms and give examples of each platform. 4 Computing Platforms: Personal computers (e.g., laptops). Mobile devices (e.g., smartphones). Servers (e.g., web servers). Embedded systems (e.g., IoT devices). 2. List the two basic components that make up each computer regardless of the platform category. Basic Components: Hardware and software. 3. Identify the most important parts of a computer (processor, memory, adapter cards, motherboard, input and output devices, and storage devices) along with examples. Important Computer Parts: Processor: Intel i9. Memory: RAM (16GB DDR4). Adapter Cards: Graphics card (NVIDIA RTX 3070). Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix. Input/Output Devices: Keyboard, monitor. Storage Devices: SSD (1TB). 4. Understand the difference between primary and secondary memory. Memory Types: Primary: RAM (temporary, fast). Secondary: SSD/HDD (permanent, slower). 5. List the 4 functions a computer must be able to carry out to be considered a computer. 4 Computer Functions: Input, process, store, output. 6. Understand and explain the diagram on slide 6 showing what goes on inside a computer. Slide 6 Diagram: Illustrates data flow: input → CPU → memory/storage → output. 7. Explain the 4 prefixes of kilo, mega, giga, and tera and be able to put them in order and reverse order. Prefixes: Order: Kilo (10³), Mega (10⁶), Giga (10⁹), Tera (10¹²). Reverse: Tera → Giga → Mega → Kilo 8. Explain the difference between an uppercase B and lowercase b when discussing file sizes and data transfer speeds. Uppercase vs. Lowercase B: B: Bytes (storage). b: Bits (data transfer) 9. Understand binary digits (bits) and how many bits are in a byte. Bits in a Byte: 8 bits = 1 byte. 10. Convert binary to decimal Binary to Decimal: Add powers of 2 for 1s. 11. Convert decimal to binary Decimal to Binary: Divide by 2, record remainders. 12. Describe what ASCII and Unicode are used for and why Unicode was needed instead of just relying on ASCII. ASCII vs. Unicode: ASCII: Basic character encoding (128 characters). Unicode: Extended encoding for global characters. 13. Understand the difference between volatile and non-volatile memory and give examples of each type. Volatile vs. Non-Volatile Memory: Volatile: RAM (erased on power off). Non-Volatile: SSD (retains data). 14. Discuss the job of the CPU, list the two main parts of the CPU, and describe (a summary) what each of those parts do. CPU Job: Processes instructions. Parts: o Control Unit: Directs data flow. o ALU: Performs calculations. 15. Explain what software is and give the two categories of software. Software: Programs running on hardware. -Categories: System software, application software. 16. Explain what system software is and give the two types of system software. System Software: -Types: Operating system, utility programs. 17. Explain 3 or 4 jobs/responsibilities of an operating system. Operating System Responsibilities: Manage hardware. Allocate resources.  Provide user interface. Run applications. 18. Explain the difference between high level and low-level programming languages and give an example of each. Programming Languages: High-Level: User-friendly (e.g., Python). Low-Level: Hardware-focused (e.g., Assembly). 1. Convert 00110011 into decimal format. 2. Convert 10011001 into decimal format. 3. Convert 76 into binary. 4. Convert 185 into binary. Automation Autonomous Systems Control Tight Control Freedom to act independently Complexity -- Sensors and Advanced algorithms Use Human Interaction Some None Adaptability Static/inflexible Capable of adaptability Error Handling None Can overcome errors Cost $ $$$ Safety Helps w safety, less risk Helps w/safety, more risk than Automation Legal/Ethical Issues -- Issues Include liability, accountability, and privacy Job loss Yes Yes AUTOMATION 1. Give a basic definition of automation and provide examples in the home and at work. Automation: Use of technology to perform tasks with minimal human input. Home Example: Smart thermostats. Work Example: Assembly line robots. 2. Discuss the benefits and downsides of automation. Benefits: Increases efficiency, reduces costs, improves accuracy. Downsides: Job displacement, high initial cost, potential technical issues 3. Discuss the difference between automation and autonomous systems. Automation vs. Autonomous Systems: Automation: Follows pre-set rules. Autonomous: Makes decisions based on AI and sensors. 4. Discuss the impact automation can have on the work force and what may need to be done in the future to help those who lose their job to automation and autonomous systems. Workforce Impact: Job displacement in repetitive tasks. Future Needs: Upskilling programs, job transition support, new industry development. 5. List the 3 tenets of autonomous systems 3 Tenets of Autonomous Systems: Sensing, decision-making, and acting independently. 6. Define artificial intelligence Artificial Intelligence: Simulation of human intelligence by machines to perform tasks like reasoning, learning, and decision-making. AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES 1. List some of the key hardware components for autonomous vehicles Key Hardware Components for Autonomous Vehicles: Sensors (LIDAR, cameras, radar), GPS, processors, actuators, and communication systems. 2. Discuss some of the differences between the 5 levels of automation for autonomous vehicles 5 Levels of Automation: Level 1: Driver assistance (e.g., adaptive cruise control). Level 2: Partial automation (e.g., Tesla Autopilot). Level 3: Conditional automation (car controls under certain conditions). Level 4: High automation (fully autonomous in specific areas). Level 5: Full automation (no human involvement). 3. Discuss some of the benefits of having the world make the switch to using autonomous vehicles Benefits of Autonomous Vehicles: Reduced accidents, increased mobility, lower congestion, and fuel efficiency. 4. Discuss some of the positive and negative economic impacts of making the switch to autonomous vehicles Economic Impacts: Positive: Job creation in tech sectors, reduced healthcare costs from fewer accidents. Negative: Job losses in trucking and taxi industries, high upfront costs for deployment. 5. Discuss ethical issues surrounding the usage of autonomous vehicles. Pay special attention to the trolley car problem and the moral machine study videos used in our class discussion. Ethical Issues: Trolley Problem: Programming dilemmas (who to save in unavoidable crashes). Moral Machine Study: Diverging societal values influencing decision-making algorithms. BIG DATA 1. Explain what big data is. Big Data: Extremely large datasets that require advanced tools for storage, processing, and analysis due to their volume, velocity, and variety. 2. Explain who Eric Schmidt is and why his quote about the amount of data collected each day is important. Eric Schmidt: Former Google CEO, noted that we generate more data daily than the total data created before 2003, highlighting rapid data growth and its impact on technology. 3. Explain the types of data being collected (unstructured vs structured data) along with examples of each data type. Data Types: Structured: Organized (e.g., spreadsheets, SQL databases). Unstructured: Unorganized (e.g., social media posts, images). 4. Explain where the data is coming from (explicit vs implicit) along with examples of each. Data Sources: Explicit: Intentionally provided (e.g., survey responses). Implicit: Passively collected (e.g., browsing history). 5. Discuss the value of big data for companies and consumers and be able to give an example of each one. Value of Big Data:  Companies: Insights for decision-making (e.g., targeted ads). Consumers: Personalized services (e.g., Netflix recommendations). 6. Discuss how Persistent Surveillance Systems uses big data to conduct their business. Persistent Surveillance Systems: Uses aerial imaging and big data to monitor and analyze large areas for security and law enforcement. 7. Discuss the old standard of creating databases and why that standard does not work well for unstructured data. Old Database Standards: Rigid schemas for structured data; unsuitable for unstructured data due to lack of flexibility and scalability. 8. List and explain the 3 Vs of big data. − Volume: The massive amount of data generated daily (e.g., social media posts, IoT devices). − Velocity: The speed at which data is generated and must be processed (e.g., live streaming). − Variety: Different types of data, such as text, images, videos, and sensor data. − Veracity: The accuracy and trustworthiness of the data (e.g., filtering out misinformation). − Value: The usefulness of the data in making decisions or gaining insights (e.g., optimizing marketing strategies).