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computer science exam notes

Uploaded by

paradox0963
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Unit 1: Data Representation

1. Binary Number System

 Binary is a base-2 system, using only 0s and 1s.


 Each digit is called a bit.
 8 bits = 1 byte.
 Binary to Decimal: Convert by multiplying each bit by 2 raised to the power of its
position.
o Example: 1011 (binary) = 1 × 2³ + 0 × 2² + 1 × 2¹ + 1 × 2⁰ = 11 (decimal).

2. Hexadecimal

 Hexadecimal is a base-16 system, using 0-9 and A-F.


 1 byte = 2 hexadecimal digits.
 Example: Decimal 15 = Hexadecimal F.

3. Characters and Text

 ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) represents characters


with 7 or 8 bits.
o Example: 'A' = 65 in ASCII.
 Unicode allows for more characters (including international symbols) using more
bits.

4. Images

 Images are made of pixels, and each pixel is represented by bits.


 Colour depth refers to the number of bits used to represent the color of each pixel.
o Common colour depths: 8-bit, 16-bit, 24-bit.

5. Sound

 Sound is represented digitally by sampling the sound wave at regular intervals.


 Sample rate: The number of samples per second (e.g., 44.1 kHz for CD-quality
sound).
 Bit depth: How much data is used to represent each sample.

Unit 2: Data Transmission

1. Types of Transmission

 Serial: Data is sent one bit at a time over a single wire.


 Parallel: Multiple bits are sent at the same time over multiple wires (used in older
computers).

2. Transmission Modes
 Simplex: Data flows in one direction only (e.g., radio transmission).
 Half-Duplex: Data flows in both directions, but not at the same time (e.g., walkie-
talkies).
 Full-Duplex: Data flows in both directions simultaneously (e.g., telephones).

3. Protocols

 Protocol: A set of rules for data transmission.


 TCP/IP: A common protocol for internet communication, where data is broken into
packets.
 HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol used for transferring web pages.
 FTP: File Transfer Protocol used for sending files.

4. Error Detection and Correction

 Parity Bit: An extra bit added to data to check for errors (even or odd parity).
 Checksums: A value used to verify data integrity.
 Acknowledgement: A signal to confirm that data has been received correctly.

Unit 3: Hardware

1. Central Processing Unit (CPU)

 The CPU is the brain of the computer.


o Control Unit (CU): Manages and coordinates activities.
o Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Performs mathematical and logical
operations.
o Registers: Small storage areas in the CPU that store data temporarily.

2. Memory

 RAM (Random Access Memory): Temporary memory that stores data and
instructions currently in use. Volatile memory (loses data when powered off).
 ROM (Read-Only Memory): Permanent memory used to store the BIOS and other
essential startup information. Non-volatile memory.

3. Storage Devices

 HDD (Hard Disk Drive): Magnetic storage device used for long-term data storage.
 SSD (Solid-State Drive): Faster, newer storage device with no moving parts.
 USB Flash Drives: Portable storage devices using flash memory.

4. Input Devices

 Keyboard: A device for entering text and commands.


 Mouse: A pointing device used for interacting with a graphical user interface (GUI).
 Microphone: Converts sound into digital signals.
5. Output Devices

 Monitor: Displays visual output from the computer.


 Printer: Produces physical copies of digital documents.
 Speakers: Output device for sound.

6. Other Hardware

 Motherboard: The main circuit board that connects all components of the computer.
 Power Supply: Provides power to the computer’s components.
 GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): Specialized for rendering graphics and handling
visual tasks.

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