003_12-9-24_Final_Exam_Review

CSE 3 Final Exam Overview

• Total Questions: 80

• Midterm Material: 20 Questions

• Post-Midterm Material: 60 Questions

• Date: Monday, December 9

• Time: 8am-10am

• Test Length: Two hours

• Location: Media Theater

Computing Before Computers

• Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace

  • Interpreter and promoter of Charles Babbage’s work.

  • Authored a plan for using the Analytical Engine for calculating Bernoulli sequences.

  • Recognized as the first computer programmer.

British Codebreaking Team (WWII)

• 1943: Formation of a team to decipher Nazi codes.

  • Led by mathematician Alan Turing.

  • Developed Colossus, seen as the first electronic digital computer.

  • Involved in breaking the Enigma cipher.

  • Turing also prominent for the Turing Test for artificial intelligence.

Evolution of Computers

• Early Technology: Vacuum tubes used in computers.

• Transistor Era: Replaced vacuum tubes starting in 1956.

• Integrated Circuits: Emerged in the mid-1960s, known as silicon chips.

Freeware and Open Source Software

• Freeware: Free software without restrictions, can be unsophisticated or sophisticated (e.g., Firefox, VLC Media Player).

• Open Source: Not just free software, also free source code; allows downloading, modification, and improvement.

Moore’s Law

• Defines the increase in transistor density on integrated circuits: doubles every two years.

• Alternative views: doubling rate may happen every 18 months for processing speed and storage.

• Acknowledge limits of growth described, highlighting miniaturization challenges.

Bit-Related Terminology

• Bits and Bytes: Quantification of digital information.

  • 1 Byte = 8 bits

  • 1 Kilobyte (KB) = 1,000 bytes

  • 1 Megabyte (MB) = 1,000,000 bytes

  • 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1,000,000,000 bytes

  • 1 Terabyte (TB) = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes

  • 1 Petabyte (PB) = 1,000,000,000,000,000 bytes

Representation of Numbers in Computing

• Utilizing two symbols (0 and 1) to represent all numbers.

• Each number viewed in terms of positional values (powers of 2).

• Example: 19 as 00010011 in binary.

Dvorak Keyboard

• Developed in 1936 to enhance typing efficiency.

• Layout designed to reduce finger movement.

• Features letters AOEUIDHTNS on the home row.

Touch Screens

• Types:

  • Resistive: Uses light beams emitted from the edges for touch detection.

  • Capacitive: Detects touch via skin's electromagnetic field; supports multi-touch.

• Commonly used in smartphones, tablets, and some laptops.

US Copyright Law

• Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to enact copyright laws.

• Copyright Duration: 70 years + lifespan of the author or 120 years for corporate works (changed by Bono Act of 1998).

• Patents last for 20 years from the application date.

Fair Use Exceptions

• Duplication of copyrighted content is allowed for criticism, commentary, teaching, scholarship, or research.

• Not absolute; courts consider the amount used and market impact.

• Fair Use can be a defense in court but does not guarantee immunity from legal action.

Linus Torvalds and Open Source

• Creator of Linux, an open source operating system kernel.

• Developed Git for tracking changes in programming.

• Major repository of open-source software: GitHub.

• Popular Linux distributions: Ubuntu, CentOS, Fedora.

The Language of Computers

• Natural Languages: Languages spoken by humans.

• Programming Languages: Intermediate between machine language and natural languages.

• Languages like C++, JavaScript, Perl, PHP are examples.

• Machine Language: Numeric codes that represent data.

Software Development Process

• Testing Phases:

  • Alpha Testing: Internal testing by a small group.

  • Beta Testing: External testing by volunteers.

• New releases often come with additional features and fixes for previous bugs; may introduce new issues.

• Patches: Minor fixes often provided for free.

Emulator Programs

• Simulate another operating system or hardware.

• Not all applications will run perfectly; may cause performance drops.

• Older systems are typically easier to emulate.

Software Applications Overview

• Licensing: Commercial software is copyrighted and cannot be distributed illegally.

• Distribution Channels: Direct sales, retail stores, and websites.

• End-User License Agreement (EULA) governs usage of software.

System Software and Device Drivers

• Device Drivers: Programs allowing I/O devices to communicate with the computer.

• Issues often arise with video and printer drivers.

• New PCs generally include current hardware compatible with the latest operating system.

Database Basics

• Database Programs: Tools for organizing information storage and retrieval.

• Databases: Collections of related information, often organized in tables.

• Key components: fields, records, tables, and data types (text or numeric).

SQL and Database Management

• SQL (Structured Query Language): Standard language for programming complex database queries.

• Users benefit from graphical interfaces for query execution without needing to learn SQL.

Special-Purpose Database Programs

• Software specifically designed for unique storage and retrieval purposes.

• Geographical Information Systems (GIS): Utilize maps for geographic and demographic data.

Data Compression Techniques

• Reduces file sizes for efficient transmission and storage.

• Types:

  • Lossy Compression: Permanently loses some information.

  • Lossless Compression: Allows complete recovery of the original data.

Graphics File Formats

• Common Formats:

  • GIF: Supports animations, lossless compression but limited colors.

  • JPG: Various colors but uses lossy compression.

  • PNG: Lossless but larger file sizes, used for infographics.

  • WebP: New format that offers smaller sizes but compatibility issues.

Digital Audio Formats

• Overview of audio file types:

  • WAV/AIFF: Standard formats for uncompressed audio, large file sizes.

  • MP3: Popular compressed format, significantly reduces file size.

  • WMA: Developed by Microsoft, offers better file fidelity.

  • AAC: Apple’s advanced compression, often superior to MP3.

  • FLAC: Open-source, retains full audio quality while compressing files.

Basic Network Anatomy

• Definition: A network combines two or more linked computers.

• Benefits: Shared resources reduce costs, increase efficiency, and facilitate collaboration.

Broadband Connection Types

• DSL, cable, satellite: Different types of broadband connections, defined by speed and provider.

• Fiber Optic: Offers much greater bandwidth, superseding copper cables.

Network Structure and Performance

• Different cable types: Twisted pair, Coaxial cable, Fiber optic, each having distinct uses and costs.

• Wireless connections: Vary in capacity and distance, suitable for dynamic environments.

Email, Instant Messaging, and Teleconferencing

• Private Browsing: Disables history but doesn’t anonymize from networks.

• TOR Browser: For enhanced anonymity, connecting through an anonymizing network.

• IP Address: Represents a computer on the network but is not a direct identifier of the user.

Privacy-focused Tools

• Duck Duck Go: Search engine that does not track user activity.

• Virtual Private Networks (VPN): Services for anonymizing internet activity; careful when choosing providers.

Understanding Internet Addresses

• Domain Name System (DNS): Translates IP addresses to human-readable names.

• Recognizes top-level domains like .edu, .com, .gov, .org.

TCP/IP Protocols

• TCP: Breaks messages into packets for transmission, routed by routers.

• IP Addresses: Unique identifiers for host computers, moving from IPv4 to IPv6 to accommodate growing address needs.

Software Sabotage: Malware Types

• Malware: Encompasses harmful software, including Trojans, viruses, and worms.

• Protection Measures: Keep software updated and have robust antivirus tools.

Identity Theft Prevention

• Use credit cards instead of debit cards for online purchases.

• Secure transactions by checking for HTTPS in URLs.

• Be cautious with personal information sharing.

Computer Security Measures

• Access based on various identification types: Identity tokens, passcodes, or biometrics.

• Multi-factor Authentication: Combining identification methods enhances security.

Password Security Practices

• Effective passwords: Long, complex, and changed frequently. Avoid personal words.

• Watch for keyloggers and ensure your passwords are unique to each account.

Message Encryption

• Use encryption software to secure communication by scrambling messages, requiring a key to unscramble.

Backup and Recovery Strategies

• Utilize uninterruptible power supplies for surge protection.

• Establish a regular backup routine; automated systems are recommended.