Computer Science Unit 1- Fundamentals of Computer Science

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Computer ScienceUnit 1- Fundamentals of Computer
Science

• Module 1-

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Course Information

• Text
• Understanding Computer Science for Advanced Level
  By Ray Bradley
• Software
• DevCpp Click to Download compiler

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Course Assessment Information

• Paper 1 30 (1 hour and 30 minutes)
• Examined on each module of syllabus total 45
  marks
• 45 multiple choice items
• Paper 2 50 (2 hours and 30 minutes)
• Examined on all sections of syllabus total
  150 marks
• Six compulsory structured questions
• Section I -two from module I (50
  marks)
• Section II-two from module II (50
  marks)
• Section III-two from module III (50
  marks)
• Paper 3 20 (IA)
• Examined on modules 2 and 3 total 60 marks

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Information technology

• Information Technology (IT), is the term used to
  describe the equipment, hardware and computer
  programs (software), that allows us to access...
  and present data and information (Gay and
  Blades, 2005).
• Information Technology is the integration of
  various computing tools used for information
  processing within todays society. It is mostly
  an adventure into how we conduct business and how
  we live our lives (Long, 2005).
• Additionally, we can view IT as a field of study
  in which we learn how best to remain competitive
  in society with inventions as well as attain
  vocational and life-lasting skills to use these
  inventions.

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Computer Science

• The study of the design and operation of
  computer hardware and software, and of the
  application of computer technology to science,
  business, and the arts. (The American Heritage
  Science Dictionary, 2005)
• Computer science is composed of many broad
  disciplines, including artificial intelligence
  and software engineering.

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Hardware Components

• Part 1 - Overview

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Computer Architecture Organization
List how computers are used in your every day
life.
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Computer Architecture Organization
Various uses
Some common uses of computer may include
entertainment, education, banking and
investments, shopping, research information,
collaboration and communication
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Computer Architecture Organization

• Regardless of the respective uses we may find for
  computers, they will contain most, if not all,
  the following traits
• Communication Consistency
  Reliability
• Storage Speed
• Additionally, as we use computers, we consider
  its
• Impact on the environment Impact on
  labour force
• Violation of privacy
  Risks to health

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Computer Systems

• Technically, a computer is any counting device
  more specifically, it is...an electronic device
  capable of interpreting and executing programmed
  commands for input, output, computation, and
  logic operations (Long, 2005).
• Consequently, we can consider the computer system
  as a set of components that interact to achieve a
  common goal. The purpose, therefore, of a
  computer system is to use all its working
  components to produce quality information

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Computer Architecture Organization

• For each of the following, highlight at least two
  means by which we use computers
• Information systems/data processing systems
• Personal computing
• Science, research, and engineering
• Process/device control
• Education
• Entertainment
• Artificial Intelligence

Speed Reliability Consistency Accuracy Storage Com
munication
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Computer Architecture Organization

• Types of computers

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Computer Architecture Organization

• Types of computers

Personal computers The two most popular personal
computers are PC (Windows, Linux) and Apple
Macintosh (Mac OS). Desktop computers are so
described because their components are designed
to fit on or under ones desk
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Computer Architecture Organization

• Types of computers
• Mobile computers and mobile devices
• These technologies are small enough to carry
  around in ones pocket such devices usually are
  internet enabled

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Computer Architecture Organization

• Types of computers

Midrange servers Powerful, large computer that
supports up to a few thousand computers. Mainfram
e Very powerful, expensive computer that supports
thousands of computers. Supercomputer The
fastest, most powerful, most expensive computer.
Used for applications requiring complex
mathematical calculations.
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Computer Architecture Organization

• Types of computers

Embedded computer Typically, these computers are
special-purpose computers, with functions that
are part of a whole system.
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Computer Architecture Organization

• Computer system components
• A computer system has only four fundamental
  components
• Inputhandles the gathering of data
• Processingtransformation of data to information
• Outputhandles the dissemination of processed
  data
• Storagesafe keeping of information for future
  use
• Note The computer system (and not the computer)
  is made up of four components.

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Computer Architecture Organization

• An input device is any peripheral device that
  allows one to enter data or instructions into a
  computer.

List five input devices ?
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Computer Architecture Organization

• An output device is any peripheral device that
  conveys information to one or more individuals.

List three output devices ?
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Computer Architecture Organization

• The processor is the electronic component that
  interprets and carries out instructions to
  operate the computer system (which resides on the
  motherboard)..

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Computer Architecture Organization

• Storage components hold data, instruction, as
  well as information for future use these items
  are kept on storage media (which are housed
  within the system unit).

List three storage media ?
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Overview Not Enough

• Regardless of the fact that we now have an
  general idea of the basic components and the
  functions of a computer system, this overview is
  not enough to provide us with thorough
  understanding of each component.
• We then seek a comprehensive understanding of
  each component of the computer system by
  determining how important each element is.