4.3.1
Binary Systems
Binary Systems
Binary Systems
Computer systems store and process data as binary digits.


Why use binary form?
Why use binary form?
- Underneath the surface computers are electrical devices that process information by controlling the flow of electricity through billions of wires and transistors (electrical switches) inside the central processing unit and other components.
- The presence of electricity represents a 1, and an absence of electricity represents a 0.


The transistor
The transistor
- Transistors are electrical components made from semiconductor materials that can act as electrically-controlled switches.
- Transistors can be used to temporarily store data, for example in some forms of primary storage (memory).


Transistors in the CPU
Transistors in the CPU
- Inside a Central Processing Unit (CPU), transistors are arranged into circuits to perform operations such as calculations when electricity is passed through them.
- For example, transistors can be arranged to form an 'adder' circuit that can accept two binary numbers, and output the sum of their values.
- Modern CPUs contain over 3 billion transistors, allowing them to perform billions of calculations per second.
1Problem Solving
1.1Algorithms
1.2Decomposition & Abstraction
2Programming
2.1Develop Code
2.2Constructs
2.3Data Types & Structures
2.6Subprograms
3Data
3.2Data Representation
3.3Data Storage & Compression
3.4Encryption
4Computers
4.1Machines & Computational Modelling
4.2Hardware
4.2.1Elements of Computer Systems
4.2.2Types of Computer Systems
4.2.3Memory - RAM
4.2.4Memory - ROM
4.2.5Memory - Cache
4.2.6Running Out of Memory
4.2.7Virtual Memory
4.2.8Magnetic Storage
4.2.9Properties of Magnetic Media
4.2.10Examples of Magnetic Storage
4.2.11Solid State Storage
4.2.12Properties of Solid State Media
4.2.13Optical Storage
4.2.14Properties of Optical Storage
4.2.15Examples of Optical Storage
4.2.16Types of Optical Disk
4.2.17Von Neumann Architecture
4.2.18Registers of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)
4.2.19Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle
4.2.20Factors Affecting CPU Performance
4.2.21The Cloud
4.2.22How the Cloud Works
4.2.23The Cloud - Pros
4.2.24The Cloud - Cons
4.2.25End of Topic Test - Hardware
4.4Software
5Communication & The Internet
5.1Networks
5.1.1Benefits of Networks
5.1.2Network Performance
5.1.3Types of Network
5.1.4Client-Server Model
5.1.5Pros of Client-Server Model
5.1.6Cons of Client-Server Model
5.1.7Peer-to-Peer Model
5.1.8Pros of Peer-to-Peer Model
5.1.9Cons of Peer-to-Peer Model
5.1.10Network Hardware
5.1.11Transmission Media
5.1.12WiFi
5.1.13WiFi Frequency and Channels
5.1.14WiFi Encryption
5.1.15Network Protocols
5.1.16Transmission Protocols
5.1.17Web Protocols
5.1.18Email Protocols
5.1.19Layers
5.1.20TCP and OSI Models
5.1.21Advantages of Layering
5.1.22Topology - Star
5.1.23Topology - Mesh
5.1.24Topology - Ring
5.1.25Topology - Bus
5.1.26End of Topic Test - Networks
5.2Network Security
6The Bigger Picture
6.1Emerging Trends, Issues & Impact
6.1.1E-Waste
6.1.2Energy Consumption
6.1.3Positive Environmental Impact
6.1.4Ethical Issues - The Digital Divide
6.1.5Ethical Issues - Net Neutrality
6.1.6Ethical Issues - Working Conditions
6.1.7Ethical Issues - Censorship
6.1.8Online Activity Tracking
6.1.9The Internet of Things
6.1.10Positive Cultural Impacts
6.1.11Negative Cultural Impacts
6.1.12Data Protection Act
6.1.13Computer Misuse Act
6.1.14Copyright Designs and Parents Act
6.1.15Creative Commons Licensing
6.1.16Freedom of Information Act
6.1.17Open Source Software
6.1.18Proprietary Software
6.1.19Licensing Issues
6.1.20End of Topic Test - Software & Issues
Jump to other topics
1Problem Solving
1.1Algorithms
1.2Decomposition & Abstraction
2Programming
2.1Develop Code
2.2Constructs
2.3Data Types & Structures
2.6Subprograms
3Data
3.2Data Representation
3.3Data Storage & Compression
3.4Encryption
4Computers
4.1Machines & Computational Modelling
4.2Hardware
4.2.1Elements of Computer Systems
4.2.2Types of Computer Systems
4.2.3Memory - RAM
4.2.4Memory - ROM
4.2.5Memory - Cache
4.2.6Running Out of Memory
4.2.7Virtual Memory
4.2.8Magnetic Storage
4.2.9Properties of Magnetic Media
4.2.10Examples of Magnetic Storage
4.2.11Solid State Storage
4.2.12Properties of Solid State Media
4.2.13Optical Storage
4.2.14Properties of Optical Storage
4.2.15Examples of Optical Storage
4.2.16Types of Optical Disk
4.2.17Von Neumann Architecture
4.2.18Registers of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)
4.2.19Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle
4.2.20Factors Affecting CPU Performance
4.2.21The Cloud
4.2.22How the Cloud Works
4.2.23The Cloud - Pros
4.2.24The Cloud - Cons
4.2.25End of Topic Test - Hardware
4.4Software
5Communication & The Internet
5.1Networks
5.1.1Benefits of Networks
5.1.2Network Performance
5.1.3Types of Network
5.1.4Client-Server Model
5.1.5Pros of Client-Server Model
5.1.6Cons of Client-Server Model
5.1.7Peer-to-Peer Model
5.1.8Pros of Peer-to-Peer Model
5.1.9Cons of Peer-to-Peer Model
5.1.10Network Hardware
5.1.11Transmission Media
5.1.12WiFi
5.1.13WiFi Frequency and Channels
5.1.14WiFi Encryption
5.1.15Network Protocols
5.1.16Transmission Protocols
5.1.17Web Protocols
5.1.18Email Protocols
5.1.19Layers
5.1.20TCP and OSI Models
5.1.21Advantages of Layering
5.1.22Topology - Star
5.1.23Topology - Mesh
5.1.24Topology - Ring
5.1.25Topology - Bus
5.1.26End of Topic Test - Networks
5.2Network Security
6The Bigger Picture
6.1Emerging Trends, Issues & Impact
6.1.1E-Waste
6.1.2Energy Consumption
6.1.3Positive Environmental Impact
6.1.4Ethical Issues - The Digital Divide
6.1.5Ethical Issues - Net Neutrality
6.1.6Ethical Issues - Working Conditions
6.1.7Ethical Issues - Censorship
6.1.8Online Activity Tracking
6.1.9The Internet of Things
6.1.10Positive Cultural Impacts
6.1.11Negative Cultural Impacts
6.1.12Data Protection Act
6.1.13Computer Misuse Act
6.1.14Copyright Designs and Parents Act
6.1.15Creative Commons Licensing
6.1.16Freedom of Information Act
6.1.17Open Source Software
6.1.18Proprietary Software
6.1.19Licensing Issues
6.1.20End of Topic Test - Software & Issues
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