Unit 1: Data Representation
1. Binary Number System
Binary is a base-2 system, using only 0s and 1s.
Each digit is called a bit.
8 bits = 1 byte.
Binary to Decimal: Convert by multiplying each bit by 2 raised to the power of its
position.
o Example: 1011 (binary) = 1 × 2³ + 0 × 2² + 1 × 2¹ + 1 × 2⁰ = 11 (decimal).
2. Hexadecimal
Hexadecimal is a base-16 system, using 0-9 and A-F.
1 byte = 2 hexadecimal digits.
Example: Decimal 15 = Hexadecimal F.
3. Characters and Text
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) represents characters
with 7 or 8 bits.
o Example: 'A' = 65 in ASCII.
Unicode allows for more characters (including international symbols) using more
bits.
4. Images
Images are made of pixels, and each pixel is represented by bits.
Colour depth refers to the number of bits used to represent the color of each pixel.
o Common colour depths: 8-bit, 16-bit, 24-bit.
5. Sound
Sound is represented digitally by sampling the sound wave at regular intervals.
Sample rate: The number of samples per second (e.g., 44.1 kHz for CD-quality
sound).
Bit depth: How much data is used to represent each sample.
Unit 2: Data Transmission
1. Types of Transmission
Serial: Data is sent one bit at a time over a single wire.
Parallel: Multiple bits are sent at the same time over multiple wires (used in older
computers).
2. Transmission Modes
Simplex: Data flows in one direction only (e.g., radio transmission).
Half-Duplex: Data flows in both directions, but not at the same time (e.g., walkie-
talkies).
Full-Duplex: Data flows in both directions simultaneously (e.g., telephones).
3. Protocols
Protocol: A set of rules for data transmission.
TCP/IP: A common protocol for internet communication, where data is broken into
packets.
HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol used for transferring web pages.
FTP: File Transfer Protocol used for sending files.
4. Error Detection and Correction
Parity Bit: An extra bit added to data to check for errors (even or odd parity).
Checksums: A value used to verify data integrity.
Acknowledgement: A signal to confirm that data has been received correctly.
Unit 3: Hardware
1. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU is the brain of the computer.
o Control Unit (CU): Manages and coordinates activities.
o Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): Performs mathematical and logical
operations.
o Registers: Small storage areas in the CPU that store data temporarily.
2. Memory
RAM (Random Access Memory): Temporary memory that stores data and
instructions currently in use. Volatile memory (loses data when powered off).
ROM (Read-Only Memory): Permanent memory used to store the BIOS and other
essential startup information. Non-volatile memory.
3. Storage Devices
HDD (Hard Disk Drive): Magnetic storage device used for long-term data storage.
SSD (Solid-State Drive): Faster, newer storage device with no moving parts.
USB Flash Drives: Portable storage devices using flash memory.
4. Input Devices
Keyboard: A device for entering text and commands.
Mouse: A pointing device used for interacting with a graphical user interface (GUI).
Microphone: Converts sound into digital signals.
5. Output Devices
Monitor: Displays visual output from the computer.
Printer: Produces physical copies of digital documents.
Speakers: Output device for sound.
6. Other Hardware
Motherboard: The main circuit board that connects all components of the computer.
Power Supply: Provides power to the computer’s components.
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): Specialized for rendering graphics and handling
visual tasks.
