r_IGCSE Resources _ Topical Notes for Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 by ashy and pizza

Binary Number System

A number system based on the number 2, using only the values 0 and 1.

Hexadecimal Number System

A number system based on the number 16, using values 0-9 and A-F.

Denary Number System

A number system based on the number 10, using values 0-9.

IP Address

A unique address assigned to each device on a network, used for identifying its location.

MAC Address

A unique identifier assigned to a network interface card, used for communication on a network.

Static IP Address

An IP address that remains constant, allowing for easier tracking of devices.

Dynamic IP Address

An IP address that changes each time a device connects to a network for enhanced privacy.

Two’s Complement

A method for representing negative numbers in binary.

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange, a character encoding standard for electronically representing text.

Unicode

A character encoding standard that represents all languages with a character set of up to 16 bits.

Sampling in Sound

The process of measuring the amplitude of sound waves at regular intervals to convert them into digital form.

Bit

The smallest unit of data in computing, representing a binary value of 0 or 1.

Byte

A unit of digital information that consists of 8 bits.

Cache

High-speed memory located in a CPU that stores frequently accessed data to speed up processing.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The primary component of a computer that performs calculations and processing tasks.

Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle

The fundamental cycle through which a CPU processes instructions.

Bus

Communication system that transfers data between components in a computer.

Control Unit (CU)

Component of the CPU that directs operations and synchronizes instructions.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

Part of the CPU that performs arithmetic and logical operations.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Temporary storage that stores data currently being used by the CPU.

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

Permanent storage that contains essential programs for booting the computer.

Secondary Storage

Data storage that is not directly accessible by the CPU and is non-volatile.

Virtual Memory

A portion of computer storage that acts as an extension of RAM.

Cloud Storage

Data storage provided by third-party servers accessible via the internet.

Data Compression

The process of reducing the size of data files for storage and transmission.

Error Detection

Techniques to detect errors in data transmission signals.

Parit Check

An error detection method that adds an extra bit to ensure an odd or even sum of bits.

Checksum

A method of error detection that calculates a value based on data to verify integrity.

Encryption

The method of securing data by converting it into a coded format.

Symmetric Encryption

A type of encryption that uses the same key for both encryption and decryption.

Asymmetric Encryption

Encryption that uses a public key to encrypt and a private key to decrypt.

Machine Learning

A subset of AI that allows systems to learn from data and improve their performance over time.

Expert System

A computer system that emulates the decision-making ability of a human expert.

Cyberattack

Any malicious activity carried out to compromise the integrity or security of a network or system.

Phishing

A method used to trick users into revealing sensitive information by impersonating trustworthy sources.

Malware

Software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems.

Firewall

A network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic.

Programming Language

A formal set of instructions that can be used to produce various kinds of output.

Compiler

A program that translates high-level programming language into machine code.

Interpreter

A program that translates high-level instructions into machine code one line at a time.

Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

A software application that provides comprehensive facilities to programmers for software development.

Web Browser

A software application that allows users to access and navigate the internet.

URL (Uniform Resource Locator)

The address used to access resources on the internet.

HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol)

The protocol used for transmitting web pages over the internet.

HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure)

An extension of HTTP that uses security protocols for data encryption.

Cookie

A small piece of data stored on the user's computer by the web browser while browsing a website.

Digital Currency

Any form of currency that exists digitally, used for online transactions.

Blockchain

A decentralized ledger of all transactions across a network.

Actuator

A mechanical device used in automation systems to move or control a mechanism.

Microprocessor

An integrated circuit that contains the functions of a central processing unit.

Artificial Intelligence

The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.

Automated System

A system that functions automatically, with minimal or no human intervention.

Data Transmission

The process of sending and receiving data between devices.

Packet Switching

Method of grouping data that is transmitted over a digital network.

Turing Machine

A theoretical computational model that defines an abstract machine.

Scalability

The capability of a system to handle a growing amount of work or its potential to accommodate growth.