1.2.4 - Data Storage - Encoding Images
Nearly all computer systems from the simplest of smart TVs or a smartwatch to a fully featured PC make heavy use of graphics or images to display information. We take for granted the fact that a computer can create photo realistic graphics, yet it wasn't that long ago that computers simply didn't have the processing […]
1.2.4 - Data Storage - Encoding Text
In the 1980's "home computers" first became widely available and affordable from popular brands such as Sinclair, Commodore, Acorn and Atari. This isn't too different to today, if you want a computer you can buy one from Dell, Asus, Lenovo, Apple and so on, but with one huge difference - they can all communicate with […]
1.2.4 - Data Storage - Numbers
This section of the specification has the potential to be very large as it covers four distinct topics. I've split it up into those four sections, so this is 1.2.4 - Data Storage Part 1 - Numbers. That's nice and clear isn't it? In this section we focus solely on the three number systems we […]
1.2.3 - Units
A large amount of the content for this section has been covered in 1.2.2 - Secondary storage. This is because it is essential you understand what data actually is before you learn about how it can be stored in large quantities (and what those quantities are). This information is repeated below for ease of access. […]
1.2.2 - Secondary Storage
It is possible to have a computer which does not have secondary storage. This comes with one huge disadvantage: when you turn the power off you lose everything and have to start from scratch. This may sound like complete madness, but actually it wasn't so long ago that this was totally normal in computing and […]
1.2.1 - Primary storage (Memory)
A computer will store lots of information, this includes your photographs, messages, contacts or even the programs and apps we use on a daily basis. All of this data is in the form of binary bits - ones and zeroes. There are billions of them in a typical system and they all need to be […]
1.1.3 - Embedded systems
An embedded system is simply "something with a computer inside it" but is not a general purpose computer such as a desktop PC. The OCR definition of an embedded system is "a computer system which is built in to another device." They have the following key characteristics: Embedded systems are usually extremely reliable and undergo […]
1.1.2 - CPU Performance
A quick browse of any retailer that sells computer components will illustrate that there are hundreds of different CPU's available. A CPU is not just a standard component with a fixed set of features - each will be tailored to the needs of different types of user. CPU manufacturers such as Intel, AMD and Apple […]
1.1.1 - Architecture of the CPU
In this section we cover the very low level fundamentals of a computer. By the end you should understand what a computer is, what it is and is not capable of doing and why the CPU is central to all that happens inside any computing device. In this section (click to jump): The Definition of […]