Fundamentals of Computer Systems Notes

Unit Overview

  • Explores the fundamental principles of computer systems, including hardware, software, component interaction, and data utilization.

  • Emphasizes the importance of understanding computer systems for computing professionals in roles such as technical support and programming.

Assessment

  • Assessed through a written examination (1 hour 45 minutes).

  • The exam evaluates knowledge and understanding of computer systems, hardware, software, component interaction and data usage.

  • Total marks: 80.

  • Availability: January and May/June.

Assessment Outcomes

  • AO1: Knowledge and understanding of computing facts, terms, standards, concepts, and processes.

  • AO2: Applying knowledge to real-life scenarios.

  • AO3: Selecting and using technologies to explore outcomes and find solutions.

  • AO4: Analysing and evaluating data to recommend solutions.

  • AO5: Connecting technologies, procedures, outcomes, and solutions.

Essential Content

A: Hardware and Software

  • Concepts and relationships between hardware and software.

A1: Computer Hardware

  • Types of computer systems: Multi-functional devices, personal computers, mobile devices, servers.

  • Internal Components: Purpose, features, and uses in different systems.

  • Factors Affecting Hardware Choice: User experience (ease of use, performance, availability, accessibility), user needs, compatibility, cost, efficiency, implementation, productivity, security.

  • Data Storage and Recovery Systems: RAID, NAS.

A2: Computer Software

  • Operating Systems:

    • Types: Real-time, single-user single-task, single-user multi-tasking, multi-user.

    • Role of Kernel: Managing system components and tasks (program execution, interrupts, modes, memory management, multi-tasking, disk access, file systems, device drivers).

    • OS Management: Networking, security.

    • User Interfaces: Graphical, command line, menu-based.

    • Factors Affecting OS Choice and Performance.

  • Utility Software: Purpose, features, uses, and factors affecting choice and performance.

  • Application Software: Purpose, features, uses, and factors affecting choice and performance.

  • Open Source Software: Principles and implications.

A3: Data Processing

  • Use, features, and implications of computer systems for data processing.

  • Role of hardware and software in data collection.

  • Data Processing Functions: Aggregation, analysis, conversion, reporting, sorting, validation.

  • Impact of Data Storage: Access, cost, implementation, productivity, security.

  • Backup and Data Recovery Procedures.

B: Computer Architecture

  • Implications of computer architecture models.

B1: Approaches to Computer Architecture

  • Architecture Models:

    • Stored Program Model (Von Neumann, Harvard).

    • Cluster Computing.

    • Uniform Memory Access (UMA) and Non-Uniform Memory Access (NUMA).

  • Use and application of emulation.

  • Factors affecting the choice of architecture models.

  • Impact of using different architecture models.

B2: Microarchitecture Concepts

  • Instruction cycles.

  • Execution Speeds: Factors, methods to increase speed, and implications.

  • Instruction Sets: Use and choice.

  • Pipelining.

  • Cache.

  • Registers.

  • Multi-processing and multi-threading.

  • Embedded, mobile, microcomputer, and server CPU architectures.

B3: Registers and Register Handling

  • Types of Registers:

    • General Purpose Registers.

    • Special Registers: Accumulator, Instruction Register, Memory Address Register (MAR), Memory Data Register (MDR), Program Counter.

  • Function and purpose of registers and their impact.

  • Role of interrupts.

C: Data Representation

  • Characteristics, concepts, and implications of data representation methods.

C1: Number Systems

  • Number Systems Used:

    • Units of digital data (bit, byte, kilobyte, and multiples).

    • Binary.

    • Binary Coded Decimal (BCD).

  • Binary Arithmetic: Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

  • Representation of negative and floating-point numbers using binary.

C2: Text Representation

  • Purpose and implications of using codes to represent character sets.

  • Common Character Sets: ASCII, UNICODE.

C3: Image Representation

  • Storage and representation of bitmap/raster image data.

  • Impact of image resolution and sample/bit depth.

  • Effects of compression on image data.

D: Data Organization

  • Characteristics and implications of data organization methods.

D1: Data Structures

  • Data Types: Stack, queue, array, list.

  • Use and application in software and hardware.

D2: Indices and Matrices

  • Matrix representation in computer systems.

  • Relationship between matrices and arrays.

  • Mathematical operations using matrices.

  • Single, two, and multi-dimensional arrays.

  • Row-major and column-major order.

E: Data Transmission

  • Concepts, processes, and implications of data transmission.

E1: Transmitting Data

  • Communication Channels: Simplex, half-duplex, full-duplex, point-to-point, multi-drop.

  • Methods of connecting devices.

  • Selection of connection methods.

  • Asynchronous and synchronous data transmission.

  • Parallel and serial transmission.

  • Packet Data: Contents, role of components, packet switching.

  • Protocols for data transmission.

  • Encryption: Caesar cipher, Vigenère cipher, symmetric key, public key.

  • Compression Types: Lossy, lossless.

  • Applications and implications of data compression.

E2: Error Detection

  • Error Detection Methods: Parity schemes, checksum, repetition schemes, cyclic redundancy check (CRC).

  • Concepts, implications, and applications of error detection.

E3: Error Correction

  • Error Correction Systems: Automatic Repeat Request (ARQ), Forward Error Correction (FEC).

  • Concepts, implications, and applications of error correction systems.

F: Logic and Data Flow

  • Use of logical processes and diagrams to represent data flow.

F1: Boolean Logic

  • Use, application, and interpretation of Boolean logic to identify data flow and solve problems.

F2: Flow Charts and System Diagrams

  • Use, application, and interpretation to represent data flow and solve problems.

Grade Descriptors

  • Level 3 Pass: Apply knowledge to familiar contexts, deconstruct problems, apply conventions, identify the impact of computer systems, recommend improvements.

  • Level 3 Distinction: Analyse complex information, synthesise knowledge, deconstruct problems, develop effective solutions, evaluate effectiveness and make justified recommendations.

Key Terms

  • Definitions of command terms used in assessments (e.g., Analyse, Calculate, Complete, Demonstrate, Describe, Develop, Discuss, Draw, Evaluate, Explain, Identify, Produce, Write).

Links to Other Units

  • Supports other units such as project planning, software design, IT security, and impact of computing.

Employer Involvement

  • Centers may involve employers if there are local opportunities.