CS Short Notes
CS Short Notes
Information collected from all post-2016 (P1) and 2015 (P2) Marking Schemes - Joyous#4286
(-) - Appears once or twice || (*) - Appears frequently || (**) - Appears a lot, Should know!
○ BeneQt; (*-)
1. Logo can be enlarged without pixelating because instructions to create a
logo is stored.
2. Smaller Qle size as only coordinates and calculations are stored.
3. Image is recalculated using equations and commands with each
adjustment.
◈ Sampling; (-)
Amplitude of the analogue sound wave is recorded at set intervals.
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Increase means more samples taken → Better quality
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◈ Sampling Rate; (*-)
Number of samples per unit time.
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Increase would mean more samples → larger Qle size (and vice versa)
Stores data about the Qle contents. Eg. File size, color depth, image resolution
◈ Satellite; (-)
A communication device in Earth’s orbit that receives and transmits data.
◈ Router; (-)
Connects devices to the internet // Transmits data between servers and Internet
◈ Gateway; (-)
Connects a server that uses a different protocol to the Internet // Joins two
different types of network
BeneDt Drawback
Faster data transmission Expensive to maintain
Consist transmission speed Disruption to line = no alternative
Improved security
BeneDt Drawback
Faster data transmission High cost for new hardware
More stable connection Expertise required for installation
More secure Fibers can break when bent
Less interference Transmits data in one direction
Client-Side Server-side
Computer makes the request Run on web server
Data received by computer Results are sent to the computer
◈ Keyboard; (-)
Uses switches and circuits to translate keystrokes into signals the computer can
understand. Each circuit is broken beneath the keys, so when a key is pressed, the
circuit is complete and a signal is sent.
◈ Optical Disc; (-)
A drive motor is used to spin the disc. Track on the disc has a sequence of pits and
lands and the surface of the disc has a reoective metal layer. A laser beam is shone
onto the disc to read or write. The reoected light is encoded as a bit pattern.
◈ Operation of a trackerball mouse; (-)
The ball touches horizontal and vertical rollers. When the ball moves, one or both of
the rollers rotate as well. Each roller connects to a shaft which spins a disk with
holes. Infrared beams shine through the holes and as the ball moves the roller, the
beam is broken by the space between the holes creating pulses of lights. The
distance and speed of the mouse is determined from the rate of the pulses by an
on-board processor chip.
◈ Optical Mouse; (-)
A laser shines onto a surface through a polished ring at the base. A sensor detects
the reoected light from the surface and captures details of the surface. As the
mouse moves, the sensor detects the changes in the surface details and translates
into movement. The processor then updates the position of the cursor on the
screen.
◈ Scanner; (-)
Contains a CCD array that is a collection of light sensitive diodes. A laser beam is
shone onto the source document and the scanned image reaches the CCD through
mirrors and lenses. The sensors detect levels of reoected light which is converted
by software to a digital value.
◈ Resistive Touchscreen; (--)
Consists of two charged plates; Pressure causes the plates to touch and complete
the circuit. The point of contact is registered and the coordinates are calculated.
◈ Capacitive Touchscreen; (--)
Screen has a layer that stores an electrical charge; When the user touches the
screen, the charge transfers to the Qnger and the sensors at the corners detect the
change. The point of contact is registered and the coordinates are calculated.
◈ Laser Printer; (-)
Revolving drum is given an electric charge → Laser beam scans back and forth
across the drum discharging certain points → Drum is coated with oppositely
charged toner which rolls over electro-statically charged paper → ‘pattern’ on the
drum is transferred to the paper which is passed through the fuser to seal the
image. → The electric charge is removed from the toner and excess toner is
collected.
◈ Inkjet Printer;
◈ Macro; (--)
Sequence of instructions that are given an identiQer and may need to be executed
several times. Can be called whenever it is needed to be used.
◈ Directive; (--)
An instruction that tells the assembler to do something. It is not a program
instruction.
Eg. Including an external Qle; state the start address for the program
◈ Processor Instruction Sets; (*)
Data movement; Input and Output; Arithmetic Operations; Jump instructions;
Compare instructions; Modes of addressing
◈ Register; (-)
Small piece of memory that temporarily stores data which is about to be or has
been processed.
◈ Fetch-Execute Cycle Registers; (*--)
Program Counter (PC) - Stores address of next instruction to be fetched.
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Memory Address Register (MAR) - Stores address where instruction is to be read
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from or saved to
Memory Data Register (MDR) - Stores data that has just been read from memory.
Current Instruction Register (CIR) - Stores instruction that is currently being
decoded.
Status Register - Interpreted as independent oags that are set depending on an
event.
◈ Interrupt; (-)
Signal from a source telling the processor its attention is needed.
◈ Handling an Interrupt; (--)
Processor checks for interrupt at the end or start of each Fetch-execute cycle → If
an interrupt oag is set, the processor identiQes the source of interrupt and checks
priority. → If high enough, processor saves current contents of registers and calls
Interrupt Service Routine (ISR) → Address of ISR is loaded into Program Counter
(PC) → Once interrupt is complete, processor restores registers and continues with
the cycle.
◈ Tasks by Operating System to manage Main Memory; (-)
Reads data from RAM so CPU can access instructions from program; Allocates
virtual memory when there is insuqcient RAM to run a program; Allocates RAM to
optimize performance through paging and segmentation.
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Chapter 6: Assembly Language Programming
◈ Two Pass Assembler; (--)
Assembler reads assembly language instructions → Encounters symbolic address
and checks to see if already in the symbol table → If not, adds to symbol table → If
already in symbol table, checks to see if absolute address is known → If known, it
is entered → If not known, it is marked as unknown.
○ Second Table needed for Second Pass; (-)
Op code table / instruction table
◈ Relative Addressing; (-)
A number is added to the base address to give the actual address.
◈ Indexed Addressing; (--)
The contents of the index register are added to operand to give the actual address.
Routines are pre-written and save Compatibility issues.. May not work
developers time with other programs
Routines are pre-tested so they are Not guaranteed thorough testing so
reliable may have bugs
Complex algorithms so do not Library routine may not meet exact
need to know the code needs...
Can be written in a different If the library routine is changed,
programming language to make there may be unexpected errors.
use of special features
Performs complex tasks
◈ Disk Formatter, Disk Contents Analysis, and Disk Repair together; (-)
Disk contents analysis checks for errors/problems with disk. Disk repair attempts
to Qx the errors. Disk formatter prepares disk for initial use again.
◈ Compiler; (*)
Used when development completely; produces an executable Qle and does not need
to be present for the program to be run; converts source code into a low-level
language.
◈ Why High-Level Languages do not need a Compiler/Interpreter; (-)
Software built using a compiler so it is already pre-compiled; Software is an
executable Qle and already in machine code; Source code is not provided so no
need for compiling or interpreting.
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○ Tasks; (*)
Resource management; scheduling of processes; resolution of conoicts
when two or more processes require the same resource.
◈ Memory Management; (*)
Handles allocation of memory to processes and ensures a fair usage. Organizes
and makes use of virtual memory while keeping processes separate.
○ Tasks; (*)
Allocates RAM to programs; keeps track of allocated and free memory
locations; handles virtual memory; memory protection prevents a process
from accessing memory not allocated to it.
○ Tasks; (*)
Sets up user accounts; authenticates; implements access rights; automatic
backup; system restore / roll back; prevents unauthorized access
◈ Copyright; (-)
Formal or legal recognition of ownership of the program.
◈ Prevent illegal copies of a Software; (-)
Encryption; Product Key; Limit number of time software can be installed; Set a time
limit within which the software must be installed
◈ Security; (*)
Keep data safe from accidental or malicious damage.
◈ Privacy; (*)
Keep data conQdential so it is only seen by authorized personnel.
◈ Firewall; (*)
All incoming and outgoing traqc goes through a Qrewall that blocks signals that do
not meet requirements; Keeps a log of signals; Applications can have network
access restricted
◈ Anti-Malware; (--)
Scans for malicious software and quarantines any that is found; Scans can be
scheduled at regular intervals
◈ Auditing; (-)
Logs all actions or changes to the system in order to identify any unauthorized use.
◈ Parity Check; (--)
Each byte of data has a parity bit, and there is another additional parity byte sent
with vertical parity. Each row and column must have an even/odd number of 1s. If
there is an error, it can be identiQed by the incorrect row 30/08/2023,
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and column intersection.
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○ BeneQts; (--)
1. Charge a fee for program
2. Copyright so program cannot be re-distributed without permission
3. Better support because a fee is charged
4. Likely to have less bugs
5. Redress available if program doesn’t function properly
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5. Redress available if program doesn’t function properly
Principle Description
Product Ensure that products and related modiQcations meet the
highest professional standards.
Judgement Maintain integrity and independence in professional
judgement.
Managers and leaders shall subscribe to and promote an
Management ethical approach to the management of software
development and maintenance.
Profession Advance the integrity and reputation of the profession
consistent with the public interest.
Colleagues Be fair and supportive of your colleagues
Participate in life-long learning regarding the practice of
Self your profession and promote an ethical approach to the
practice of the profession
Construct
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Description
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◈ Declaration; (-)
Assigns a data type to a variable
◈ Contents of an IdentiQer Table; (-)
List of identiQer / variable names; explanations of what they are used for; data
types
○ Effectiveness; (-)
Prevents unnecessary iterations through the array
Mode Description
READ Used to read data from a Qle
APPEND Used to add data
WRITE Used to write data from scratch*
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