iannuttall iannuttall Candidates should be able to: define the terms bit, nibble, byte, kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, terabyte understand that data needs to be converted into a binary format to be processed by a computer. Data units in computer systems Bit This is a single unit of memory and can only store 2 possible binary values, either 0 …
Candidates should be able to: explain the need for secondary storage describe common storage technologies such as optical, magnetic and solid state select suitable storage devices and storage media for a given application and justify their choice using characteristics such as capacity, speed, portability, durability and reliability. Why is secondary storage needed? Although RAM can …
Candidates should be able to: Why does a computer system need input devices? Input devices are needed so that data can be entered into a computer system, to be stored or processed. Some input devices are manual, such as a keyboard or mouse, and some are automatic, such as a barcode reader or a webcam. …
Candidates should be able to: describe the difference between RAM and ROM explain the need for ROM in a computer system describe the purpose of RAM in a computer system explain how the amount of RAM in a personal computer affects the performance of the computer explain the need for virtual memory describe cache memory …
Candidates should be able to: explain why data is represented in computer systems in binary form understand and produce simple logic diagrams using the operations NOT, AND and OR produce a truth table from a given logic diagram. Why is data represented in computer systems in binary form? Computer systems are based on logic circuits. …
Computer Systems Candidates should be able to: This topic introduces computer systems and provides a foundation for the remaining topics in this unit. Candidates should develop a mental model of a computer system which comprises hardware and software and in which: What is a computer system? As well as the personal computer, this definition applies …
