Computer Systems

Elements of Computer Systems

Computer systems are made of hardware and software which work together. Hardware are the physical components of the computer, such as:

Input/Output (I/O) devices

I/O devices allow users to input data into the computer, or receive a data output from the computer.
Examples of common I/O devices are:
- Keyboard.
- Mouse.
- Monitor.
- Speakers.

Processors

A processor is a special component that processes data and instructions to control other components within the computer.
The two main types of processor are:
- Central Processing Unit (CPU).
- Graphics Processing Unit (GPU).

Primary storage

Primary storage is the memory in which the computer can store the data or instructions that are currently in use.
The two main types of primary storage are:
- Random Access Memory (RAM).
- Read-Only Memory (ROM).

Secondary storage

Secondary storage is the memory in which the computer can store the data or instructions which are NOT currently in use.
Not all computer systems use secondary storage.
The main types of secondary storage are:
- Hard Disk Drive (HDD).
- Solid State Drive (SSD).
- Compact Disk (CD).
- Flash (USB Drive).

Types of Computer System

There are lots of different types of computer systems, including:

General purpose systems

General purpose systems are capable of performing many different tasks.
For example:
- PCs
- Macs
- Smartphones

Embedded systems

An embedded system is a computer system which is built into another device to support its operation.
For example:
- Washing machines.
- Digital cameras.
- Sat-Navs.

1Components of a Computer

1.1Structure & Function of the Processor

1.1.1Structure of the CPU

1.1.2Fetch, Decode, Execute Cycle

1.1.3Factors Affecting CPU Performance

1.1.4CPU Architecture

1.2Types of Processors

1.2.1CISC & RISC

1.2.2Multicore & Parallel Cores

1.3Input, Output & Storage

1.3.1Computer Systems

1.3.2Magnetic Storage

1.3.3Optical Storage

1.3.4Types of Optical Storage

1.3.5Types of Memory

1.3.6Flash Memory

1.3.7Virtual Memory

2Software & Software Development

3Exchanging Data

4Data Types, Data Structures & Algorithms

4.1Data Types

4.1.1Data Types

4.1.2Arrays & Strings

4.1.3Representing Numbers

4.1.4Binary Arithmetic

4.1.5Hexadecimal

4.1.6Converting Binary Numbers

4.1.7Floating Points in Binary

4.1.8Floating Point Arithmetic

4.1.9Bitwise Manipulation

4.1.10Character Sets

4.2Data Structures

4.2.1Arrays, Linked Lists & Queues

4.2.2Graphs, Hash Tables & Stacks

4.2.3Trees

4.3Boolean Algebra

4.3.1Computational Logic

4.3.2Boolean Logic

4.3.3Karnaugh Maps

4.3.4Boolean Identities

4.3.5Flip Flops & Adder Circuits

5Legal, Moral, Cultural & Ethical Issues

5.1Computing Related Legislation

5.1.1Data Protection Act (1998)

5.1.2Computer Misuse Act (1990)

5.1.3Copyright Designs and Patents Act (1988)

5.1.4Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (2000)

5.2Moral & Ethical Issues

5.2.1Online Activity Tracking

5.2.2Censorship

5.2.3Cultural Issues

5.2.4Environmental Issues

5.2.5Layout, Colour Paradigms & Character Sets

6Elements of Computational Thinking

6.1Thinking Abstractly

6.1.1Abstraction

6.2Thinking Procedurally

6.2.1Decomposition

6.3Thinking Logically

6.3.1Pseudocode & Flow Diagrams

7Problem Solving & Programming

7.1Programming Techniques

7.1.1Programming Fundamentals

7.1.2Modularity

7.2Programming Construction

7.2.1Integrated Development Environments

7.2.2Testing

8Algorithms

8.1Algorithms

8.1.1Interpreting, Correcting & Completing Algorithm

8.1.2Sort Algorithms

8.1.3Insertion & Merge Sort

8.1.4Search Algorithms

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