IST Notes

TOPIC 1: COMPUTER HARDWARE & SOFTWARE + DIGITAL MEDIA

1.2.1: Hardware, Software & Von Neumann

Hardware
The physical device or a component of a
computer that is physically connected to the
computer.
 Types: Input, output, storage,
processing, control
 Hardware is physical
Software
A collection of programming
code/instructions that tells the computer
how to operate. Software is written with
high level programming languages (e.g., C++,
JavaScript, Python). Those programs are
then installed onto to a hard drive.
 Software is virtual/non-physical
 Types:
o Application software: Allows users to create, edit and display computer generated
files. Example: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, video games
o Operating software: Program that manages computer hardware and software.
Allows users to use software to interact with hardware. Example: controlling the
volume slider (software) to increase/decrease the volume of the speaker (hardware)
or using the print function (software) and papers starts coming out of the printer
(hardware).
o Utility software: Software designed to help analyse, configure, optimise, or maintain
a computer. Example: Anti-virus software
Von Neumann Architecture
 Designed by John von Neumann in 1945
 A computer design which general computers are based on today
 The design consists of a control unit, arithmetic/logic unit (ALU), main memory (RAM),
registers, output/input.
 Key elements:
o Data and instructions are stored in main memory (RAM) as binary digits
o Instructions are fetched from RAM one a time, in order (serially)
o The processor (CPU) decodes and executes the instruction, before cycling around for
get the next instruction.

1.2.2: Input/Output
Input
Hardware that collects information from the outside world to be sent to the computer
 Examples: Keyboard, mouse, game controller, microphone, touch pen, touch pad.
Output
Hardware that communicates information from the computer to the user
 Examples: Monitor, VR headset, speaker, projector

1.2.3: Storage
Key Terms
 Volatile: Data is lost when power is turned off, temporary data storage.
 Non-volatile: Data is retained when power is turned off.
Storage
 Primary memory:
o RAM (Random Access Memory): Temporarily stores data for the CPU to process. Can
be changed.
o ROM (Read Only Memory): Permanently stores instructions required for the
computer to start. Most ROMs cannot be changed.
o This type of memory is both volatile (RAM) and non-volatile (ROM)
o Accessing primary memory is fast
 Secondary memory/mass storage:
o This memory is always non-volatile
o Accessing secondary memory is slow
o Example:
 USB
 CD
 Hard drive: The main data storage hardware in a computer, which stores
operating software and other files. Data is stored magnetically in the
spinning disk.
 Solid state drive (SSD): Same function as hard drives but smaller. It is within
the electrical circuit, thus faster speed of access but more expensive.
How RAM Works
1. The application saved (ex, Excel) is loaded into RAM (loading screen when opened)
2. Data from the RAM is sent to the CPU. It decodes and executes the instructions one by one.
The CPU receives data from the RAM as the speed of access is faster than obtaining data
from Secondary Memory
3. After processing the instructions, the result is stored back in RAM. The input device gives
information to the computer, which is then stored in the RAM (volatile). The change in the
file gets stored in the RAM, not mass storage.
4. It is only when ‘SAVE’ is pressed, that the edited copy of the file gets stored in the mass
storage (non-volatile).
Overloaded RAM
 When too many applications are opened, data is left behind in the mass storage. This forces
the RAM to do 2 things at once, rather than 1 at a time:
o Receiving the information from the mass storage
o Sending the data to the CPU to run programs needed
 Thus, causing the computer to slow down.
 Solution: Upgrade the RAM (4GB to 16GB)
1.2.4: Process
CPU
 ‘Central Processing Unit’/Central brain/General practitioner (GP)
 Responsible for processing general instructions from the RAM one at a time
 Performs mathematical calculations like addition
GPU
 ‘Graphic Processing Unit’/Specialist
 Taking instructions run from the CPU to render frames (texture, shadows, lighting)

1.2.5: Control
Controller cards
 Expansion boards that fit into slots in the motherboard. They hold chips (i.e.
Microprocessors) that perform secondary functions such as sound and video display.
 Examples: Graphics Card, Sound Card, Network Card
Motherboard
 Holds many of the computer's essential components.
 The electrical circuits on the board allow the components to receive power and
communicate with each other.
Bus Lines
 Connects CPU and chips to allow data to pass between them.
 The more buses, more data can travel simultaneously (at the same time) in parallel, resulting
in faster transmission

1.3: Introduction to Digital Media & Data

Data
 Data is simply unorganized raw facts and
figures, can be letters, numbers, pattern
of dots or electrical or light signals.
 Example: 140, 170, 180
 Types of data:
o Analogy: Data that changes in a smooth and continuous way
o Digital: Data that changes in clear steps and show discrete (individual) values at a
time- usually in binary digits (1 and 0)
Information
 When data is organised, processed, and given meaning by people, it becomes ‘information’.
 Example: 140mm, 170m, 180cm
Digital Media
 Refers to any kind of information broadcast to us through a screen, stored in digital form.
 Examples: E-music, e-books, games, magazines
Digital data
 Graphics: A picture or diagram to convey information
 Animation: Series of graphic images displayed rapidly
 Video: Series of real-life graphic images
 Audio: Music, soundtrack, sound effects
 Text: String of printable characters
1.4 Data Transmission
Serial Data Transmission
 In serial data transmission, one binary digit (bit) is sent at a time.
 Used for medium- long range distances
  Advantages: Requires a few wires, less space, cheaper
 Disadvantages: Less digits can travel at once (lower bandwidth), slower data transfer
 Examples: Devices connected to the internet using a home network, system box to monitor.
Parallel Data Transmission
 In parallel data transmission, multiple binary digits (bits) all set at a time.
 Used for short-range distances
 Advantages: More data can travel at once (higher bandwidth), faster data transfer
 Disadvantages: Requires more wires, more space, expensive
 Examples: Transmission between components on a motherboard via bus lines, RAM to CPU
Issues with Parallel Transmission
 Issue 1 - Data Synchronisation:
o Short distances: Over short distances, the data (in bits) arrives at the same time
(synchronised).
o Long distance: Over medium to long distances, the data (in bits) is more susceptible
to be out of sync (unsynchronized).
 Issue 2 - Data Interference:
o Signals transmitted on one wire interferes and corrupts signals transmitted on
another wire in close proximity. This is called crosstalk.
o Currents in wires create magnetic fields. One field can overlap and distribute other
signals by creating an interference signal.

1.6.1: Text
Digitalisation
 The process of converting information from a physical or analog format into a digital format
 Examples: Converting text from the input (keyboard) into a digital format to be stored,
converting sound from a microphone to be stored.
The General Process
1. Each character (letters on keyboard) is assigned a Decimal Equivalent as part of the ASCII
(American Standard for Code Information Interchange)
2. This get converted to a string of binary digits.
 Example: ‘A’ has the Decimal Equivalent of 65, converting to the binary string, 0100 0001.

1.6.3: Audio
Sound needs to be converted into binary for computer to be able to process it. To do this, sound is
captures – usually by a microphone from the natural world – then converted into a digital signal.
1. Microphone (input) measures and translates air pressure as electrical signals (volts) to the
ADC (Analog to Digital Converter).
2. ADC, located in Sound Card digitises the volts to binary information. This gets sent to be
stored in the memory.
3. To play the stored sound to the speaker, the digitalised sound needs to convert back to
analog format. The DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) converts the sound to analog format.

TOPIC 2: SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT & PROGRAMMING

JavaScript Coordinate System

Key Terms:
 Function: A code that performs a specific task or action like rect ( ).
 Arguments: Values or variables that are passed into a function to provide more info.
o Value arguments: rect (200,150,100,50);
o Variable arguments: rect (xPos,yPos,widthX,heightY);
Advantages of variables
 More time efficient as there is no need to change them one by one.
 Simplifies it as everything can be adjusted with one change.