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Learn about the three factors that affect computer performance - cache memory size and levels, clock speed and the number of cores. Based on the 2020 Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE specification. 1.5: Performance Exam Board: Eduqas / WJEC Specification: 2020 + The performance of a computer system is affected by three main factors: Cache Memory: Size & Levels What is cache memory? Cache memory is temporary storage for frequently accessed data . Cache memory is very quick to access because it is closer to the CPU than other types of memory like RAM . What are the 3 levels of cache memory? Level 1 cache is the smallest level but it is also the fastest . Level 2 cache is larger than level 1 but slightly slower. Level 3 cache is located outside of the CPU core which makes it slower than the first two levels but it is much larger . How does cache memory work? When the CPU searches for data , it looks first in level 1 cache, then level 2 and then level 3 . If the data has been found , this is called a 'cache hit '. If the data is not found then the CPU searches in RAM instead which takes more time - this is called a 'cache miss '. How does cache memory improve performance? Cache memory is closer to the CPU than RAM , meaning that it can provide data and instructions to the CPU at a faster rate . A computer with more cache memory (e.g. 8MB instead of 4MB) should have a higher performance because repeatedly used instructions can be stored and accessed faster . Larger level 1 and level 2 cache sizes will improve a computer's performance as data can be accessed extremely quickly . What is the limitation of cache memory? Cache memory is costly, so most computers only have a small amount . Multiple cache misses will result in data latency (delay) as information is accessed from RAM which is further away from the CPU. Clock Speed What is clock speed? Clock speed is the measure of how quickly a CPU can process instructions . Clock speed is measured in Gigahertz (GHz) . A typical desktop computer might have a clock speed of 3.5 GHz . This means it can perform 3.5 billion cycles a second . How does clock speed improve performance? The faster the clock speed, the faster the computer can perform the FDE cycle resulting in better performance because more instructions can be processed each second . How does overclocking and underclocking affect performance? Typical clock speed: 3.5 GHz Underclocking Overclocking 3.9 GHz 3.1 GHz Overclocking is when the computer's clock speed is increased higher than the recommended rate. This will make the computer perform faster, but it can lead to overheating and could damage the machine . Underclocking is when the computer's clock speed is decreased lower than the recommended rate. This will make the computer perform slower but will increase the lifespan of the machine . Number of Cores What is a core? A core is a complete set of CPU components (control unit, ALU and registers). Each core is able to perform its own FDE cycle . A multi-core CPU has more than one set of components within the same CPU. How does the number of cores improve performance? In theory, a single-core processor can execute one instruction at a time , a dual-core processor can execute two instructions, and a quad-core can execute four instructions simultaneously . Therefore, a computer with more cores will have a higher performance because it can process more instructions at once . What are the limitations of having more cores? If one core is waiting for another core to finish processing, performance may not increase at all. Some software is not written to make use of multiple cores , so it will not run any quicker on a multi-core computer. Q uesto's Q uestions 1.5 - Performance: Cache Size & Levels 1a. What is cache memory ? [ 2 ] 1b. Describe the three levels of cache memory . [ 3 ] 1c. Describe what is meant by a ' cache hit ' and a ' cache miss '. [ 2 ] 1d. Describe two ways that more c ache memory will mean performance is higher . [ 4 ] 1e. Explain why most computers only have a small amount of cache memory. [ 1 ] Clock Speed 2a. What is clock speed ? What is it measured in? [ 2 ] 2b. Explain how a higher clock speed improves performance . [ 2 ] 2c. Explain the terms 'overclocking ' and 'underclocking ' and explain the effects of both on the performance of a computer. [ 4 ] Number of Cores 3a. What is a core ? [ 2 ] 3b. Explain why a quad-core processor should have a higher performance than a dual-core processor . [ 3 ] 3c. Explain two reasons why having more cores doesn't necessarily mean the performance will be better . [ 2 ] 1.4 - Secondary Storage 1.6 - Additional Hardware Theory Topics

Learn how to delay processes using the sleep command in Python. Try practice tasks and learn through text and images. Perfect for students learning GCSE Computer Science in UK schools. top Python 5b - Sleep Using Sleep To pause a program, import sleep from the time library . Type the word sleep followed by the number of seconds that you wish the program to break for in brackets . It must be a whole number . Below is an example of a program that imports the sleep command and waits for 2 seconds between printing: from time import sleep print ( "Hello!" ) sleep(2) print ( "Goodbye!" ) You can implement the sleep command within a for loop to produce an effective timer that outputs each second waited to the screen: You could also use a variable instead of a fixed value with the sleep command such as below: from time import sleep for second in range (1,11): print (second) sleep(1) from time import sleep seconds = int ( input ( "How many seconds should I sleep? " )) print ( "Going to sleep..." ) sleep(seconds) print ( "Waking up!" ) Sleep Task ( Slow Calculator) Create a slow calculator program that needs time to think in between calculations. Print a message to greet the user , then wait 3 seconds and ask them to enter a number . Wait another 3 seconds and ask them to enter a second number . Wait 2 more seconds , print “Thinking…” then 2 seconds later print the total of the two numbers added together . Example solution: ⬅ 5a - Rando m 5c - Date & Time ➡

Learn about the different types of LAN, MAN and WAN networks and how to draw network diagrams. Based on the 2016 OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT specification. 3.4 - Connection Methods Exam Board: OCR Specification: 2016 - Unit 1 Local Area Network (LAN) A Local Area Network (LAN ) is a network in which the computer systems are all located geographically close to each other , for example, in the same building or on the same site , like a school or office . A type of LAN is a Wired Ethernet LAN ( technically Ethernet is a protocol that controls how data is transmitted over a LAN). Wired Ethernet LANs have a high bandwidth so data can be transferred quickly and because it uses cables the data is harder to intercept than a wireless network. Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) A Metropolitan Area Network (MAN ) connects several LANs together to cover the range of a town or city , for example a university campus network. MANs are usually very efficient at providing fast communication for cities , with high connection speeds through the use of fibre optic cables. Wide Area Network (WAN) A Wide Area Network (WAN ) is a network spanning a large geographical area , such as multiple cities or countries . The internet is the ultimate example of a WAN as it stretches across the entire world. Different types of WAN rules and standards are used: ADSL ADSL ( Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line ) is a method of transferring data across copper wire telephone lines . ADSL is contended, which means that connection speeds are affected and slowed down by more systems that use the network at the same time . The old copper wires also affect data transfer over long distances and can cause data packet loss . Security is also an issue, as the line is shared with others, making data interception more likely . To improve security, a firewall and/or VPN (Virtual Private Network) may be used. Because ADSL uses the telephone system, a modem is require d at both the sending and receiving ends of the connection. A microfilter is also required to allow internet and telephone access at the same time . ADSL is contended - shared between sites. Internet Service Provider ADSL requires a modem Leased Line Leased Line is a method of providing an uncontended , fixed-bandwidth data connection . The user maintains a dedicated connection that is more secure and, because it is uncontended , will have the same speed all of the time , regardless of how busy the network is . Bandwidth is high , security is better , the connection speed is constant and the network is full-duplex (allowing for data transmission both ways simultaneously). These advantages come at a high cost - possibly hundreds of pounds per month - as well as an expensive installation that can take time to be put in place . As it is a complex configuration , a CSU/DSU (Channel Service Unit/Data Service Unit) device is required to properly terminate the leased line . Internet Service Provider Leased Line is dedicated. C A CSU/DSU is required for a leased line. ISDN ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network ) transmits video and voice data simultaneously over traditional copper telephone wires . This method uses a circuit-switched network where all data packets take the same route between computer systems. Voice Networks Voice networks primarily transfer audio data using phones and telephone lines . PSTN PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network ) is the global collection of wired public telephone networks that are used to transmit data over a long distance. PSTN is fixed into position using underground cables and therefore the connection quality is much more consistent than other voice networks. Using a wired connection like a PSTN is more reliable and communication will be clearer than alternatives such as cellular or satellite methods. Cellular Cellular networks require a cell tower (also called a transmitting tower ) to be in close proximity to the communication device. Cellular networks have a greater range than PSTN, but buildings and poor weather can disrupt this point-to-point communication method (where line of sight is necessary ). Each cell tower is also connected to the PSTN . Satellite Satellite networks use point-to-multipoint communication by using satellites above the Earth's atmosphere that receive a transmission and rebroadcast them back to Earth. Because of the distance between the communication device and the satellite (potentially thousands of miles ), there is a delay between data transmission and it being received . Satellite networks are beneficial in remote locations , such as natural disaster zones , where the cell tower may not be present or may be damaged. Transmitting large files using satellites may take longer , and it is not recommended for low-latency needs such as video gaming. There are different types of satellites used in communication and networking : Geostationary satellites are used for consistent communication over a specific region , such as TV broadcasts and weather monitoring . They can also be used to transfer data between remote locations . Low-Earth orbiting satellites are closer to the ground so they enable fast communication for internet services . Medium-Earth orbiting satellites are often used for GPS (Global Positioning System ) and other navigation systems . A global positioning satellite is an example of this type of satellite that provides time and geolocation data to GPS receivers back on Earth. Diagrammatical Representation In an exam, you may be asked to draw a diagram representing how networks are connected . This is different from drawing a network topology (e.g. ring or mesh) and refers to: Connection type (e.g. ADSL / Leased Line). Devices (e.g. router / modem), Security methods (e.g. firewall / VPN) Two LANs connected using a Leased line Two LANs connected using an ADSL line Rules for drawing a network diagram: Label each device and label your LANs . Use appropriate symbols and be neat . There are no set symbols, just be consistent (e.g. both modems are the same shape). ADSL must have a modem and VPN router + Firewall . (ADSL is not very secure so it needs to be protected with the VPN router and firewall. It also uses the telephone line across the internet so it requires a modem at both ends). Leased Line must have a router , a direct connection and CSU/DSU . (Leased line is a secure and direct connection - so it doesn’t need a firewall or VPN router and should be direct (not across the internet )). Q uesto's Q uestions 3.4 - Connection Methods: 1a. What is the definition of a LAN ? [ 2 ] 1b. Describe two benefits of using a wired Ethernet LAN . [ 4 ] 2. What is the definition of a MAN ? [ 2 ] 3a. What is the definition of a WAN ? [ 2 ] 3b. What is the difference between a contended and an uncontended network? [ 2 ] 3 c. Describe the differences between a leased line and ADSL . You should discuss security , connection speed and contention ( contended or uncontended ) . [6 ] 3d. Describe the use of any two network devices required for either a leased line and/or for ADSL . [ 4 ] 3e. Describe the purpose of ISDN . [ 2 ] 4a. Compare the use of PSTN and Cellular methods to make telephone calls . [ 4 ] 4b. Explain 1 way that a satellite network should be used and 1 way it shouldn't be used . [ 4 ] 5. Draw a diagram to show how a leased line or ADSL network can be set up between two existing LANs. [6 ] 3.3 - Network Characteristics Topic List 3.5 - Business Systems

Learn about how images are represented in a computer system, including file size, resolution, colour depth and metadata. Based on the J277 OCR GCSE Computer Science specification (first taught from 2020 onwards). 2.4d: Image Storage Exam Board: OCR Specification: J277 Watch on YouTube : Pixels & Resolution Colour Depth & Metadata Image File Size Bitmap Images Bitmap images are made of pixels - single-colour squares - arranged on a grid . Each pixel is assigned a binary value which represents the colour of that pixel. The quality of a bitmap image depends on the total amount of pixels , this is known at the image resolution . Because it is made of pixels, scaling a bitmap image up will result in a visible loss of quality . Most images on computers are bitmaps, such as photos and screenshots . How to Calculate the File Size of a Bitmap File Size = Resolution x Colour Depth The resolution of an image is the width in pixels multiplied by the height in pixels. The colour depth (also known as bit depth ) is the number of bits that are used to represent each pixel's colour . 1 bit represents 2 colours (0 or 1 / black or white). 2 bits will allow for 4 colours, 3 bits for 8 colours, 4 for 16 etc. A colour depth of 1 byte (8 bits ) allows for 256 different colours . Remember you must multiply the colour depth , not the number of available colours (e.g. 8 not 256). The RGB (Red , Green , Blue ) colour model uses 3 bytes (a byte of 256 red shades , a byte of 256 green shades and a byte of 256 blue shades ) that together can represent 16.7 million different colours. Example Height = 6 bits Resolution = height x width Resolution = 8 x 6 = 48 bits -------------------------- Colour Depth = 1 bit (only 2 colours) -------------------------- File Size = Resolution x Colour Depth File Size = 48 x 1 = 48 bits File Size in bytes = 48 ÷ 8 = 6 bytes File Size in kilobytes = 6 ÷ 1000 = 0.00 6 kilobytes Width = 8 bits Look carefully at the exam question to see if the examiner is expecting the answer in bits, bytes or kilobytes . Always calculate the file size in bits first then: Divide the file size in bits by 8 to convert to bytes . Divide the file size in bytes by 1000 to convert to kilobytes . Metadata for Images Metadata is additional data about a file . Common image metadata includes: Height and w idth in pixels Colour depth Resolution Geolocation Date created Last edited File type Author details Metadata is important, For example, the dimensions must be known so the image can be displayed correctly . Metadata for a picture taken on a smartphone: width in pixels, e.g. 720 height in pixels, e.g. 480 Q uesto's Q uestions 2.4d - Image Storage: 1. Describe how bitmap images use pixels . [ 2 ] 2. Define the terms image resolution and colour depth . [2 ] 3. How many colours can be represented with a colour depth of... a. 1 bit [ 1 ] b . 5 bits [ 1 ] c. 1 byte [ 1 ] 4. How is the file size of an image calculated? [2 ] 5a. An image file has a width of 10 pixels , a height of 8 pixels and a colour depth of 2 . What is the file size in bytes ? [3 ] 5b. An image file has a width of 120 pixels , a height of 120 pixels and a colour depth of 1 . What is the file size in kilobytes ? [3 ] 5c. An image file has a width of 32 pixels , a height of 21 pixels and a colour depth of 1 . What is the file size in bytes ? [3 ] 6. State what is meant by metadata and give three examples of metadata for a graphics file. [ 3 ] 2.4c - Character Storage Theory Topics 2.4e - Sound Storage

Learn how to use time commands to display the current date and time in Python. Try practice tasks and learn through text and images. Perfect for students learning GCSE Computer Science in UK schools. top Python 5c - Time & Date ctime() The easiest way to output the current time and date is to use the ctime() command. Import the ctime command from the time library before you use and print it: from time import ctime print ( "Current time:" , ctime()) = Current time: Wed Sep 13 16:07:20 2023 This will print the time and date, but it looks rather unprofessional, and the exact format depends on the type of system that you are currently running so it may vary for different users. Date / Time Task 1 ( Dentist Surgery) Print a greeting for a dentist surgery with the current date and time. Example solution: Welcome to Greenvale Dentist Surgery, it is currently: Wed Sep 13 16:16:24 2023 strftime() A better alternative to the ctime() command is to use strftime() which stands for str ing f rom time as you can select specific parts of the date and time to display. This command requires a directive to be written with a percentage symbol as a string in the brackets . For example, the current hour (%H ), minute (%M ) and second (%S ) can be printed between colons to show the time . from time import strftime print ( "The current time is" , strftime( "%H:%M:%S" )) = The current time is 13:18:57 There are many different directives that you can use to display exactly what you are looking for, such as: from time import strftime day = strftime( "%A" ) print ( "The current day is" , day) month = strftime( "%B" ) print ( "The current month is" , month) year = strftime( "%Y" ) print ( "The current year is" , year) = The current day is Thursday The current month is September The current year is 2023 The following directives can be used with strftime(). Don't forget that directives must be typed within speech marks . Date - Weekday: %a – Current day of the week abbreviated (e.g. Sun, Mon) %A – Current day of the week in full (e.g. Sunday, Monday) %w – Current day of the week in chronological order (0 is Sunday and 6 is Saturday) %W – Current week number (e.g. 01, 26, 52) Month: %d – Current day of the month (e.g. 01, 11, 31) %m – Current month as a number (e.g. 01, 06, 12) %b – Current month abbreviated (e.g. Jan, Jun, Dec) %B – Current month in full (e.g. January, December) Year: %y – Current year abbreviated (e.g. 16, 17) %Y – Current year in full (e.g. 2016, 2017) %j – Current day of the year (e.g. 001, 150, 365) Time - Hour: %H – Current hour in 24-hour clock (e.g. 00, 12, 20) %I – Current hour in 12-hour clock (e.g. 01, 08, 12) %p – Whether it is currently AM or PM Minute: %M – Current minute (e.g. 00, 30, 59) Second: %S – Current second (e.g. 00, 30, 59) More Directives - %z – Current time difference from UTC (Co-ordinated Universal Time) (e.g. +0000, -0500, +1100) %Z – Current time zone (e.g. GMT Standard Time, EST, CST) Just looking for a quick date or time display and not bothered about customisation? Try these: %c – Current date and time in full (e.g. Tue Feb 19 13:35:20 2016) %x – Current date (e.g. 19/02/16) %X – Current time (13:36:20) Date / Time Task 2 ( Calendar App ) Create a program that asks the user if they want to see the current date , the current time or 'other '. Use the strfftime directives above to show what the user asks for. It's up to you which directives you use for the 'other' option , such as displaying the current day of the year (%j ) or current week of the year (%W ). Example solutions: Type TIME for the current time, DATE for the current date or OTHER: TIME The current time is 13:46PM Type TIME for the current time, DATE for the current date or OTHER: DATE The date today is Thursday 14 September 2023 Type TIME for the current time, DATE for the current date or OTHER: OTHER Did you know today is day number 257 of 2023? Between Dates You may want to work out the number of days between two dates . This can be done by importing the date command from the timedate library. Below is a simple example: from datetime import date date1 = date(2021,9,15) date2 = date(2022,1,20) difference = date2 - date1 print ( "There are" , difference.days , "days between" , date1 , "and" , date2) Make sure the date is entered in the format of year, month, day . The .days code removes the difference in hours and seconds to just display the number of days difference. There are 127 days between 2021-09-15 and 2022-01-20 Today's Date The program here uses strftime to check the current year, month and day and organise it into the date format . This can then be used together with code similar to the program above to check the number of days between one specific date and the current date. from datetime import date from time import strftime thisyear = int (strftime( "%Y" )) thismonth = int (strftime( "%m" )) thisday = int (strftime( "%d" )) todaysdate = date(thisyear,thismonth,thisday) print ( "The date today is" , todaysdate ) The date today is 2023-09-14 Input a Date The program here shows how to input a date into a format that can then be used by Python to work out the difference between two dates . from datetime import date year = int ( input ( "Enter a year: " ) month = int ( input ( "Enter a month: " ) day = int ( input ( "Enter a day: " ) chosendate = date(year,month,day) print ( "The chosen date is" , chosendate ) Enter a year: 1964 Enter a month: 5 Enter a day: 13 The chosen date is 1964-05-13 Date / Time Task 3 ( Days Alive) Create a program that works out how long the user has been alive for . Use the examples above to automatically make today's date and then allow the user to input their year , month and day of birth. Get Python to work out the difference between today and their date of birth. Example solutions: Enter a year: 1998 Enter a month: 3 Enter a day: 29 You have been alive for 9300 days! Enter a year: 2007 Enter a month: 12 Enter a day: 25 You have been alive for 5742 days! ⬅ 5b - Sleep 5d - Colorama ➡

Learn about crucial laws in place to protect data and privacy, including the Data Protection Act (2018), Computer Misuse Act (1990), RIPA (2000) and the Freedom of Information Act (2000). Based on the 2016 OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT specification for Unit 2 (Global Information). 4.1 - UK Legislation Specification: 2016 - Unit 2 Exam Board: OCR There are many types of legislation - laws that have been written into use - that concern data storage, protection and the use of information. In an exam, the year the law was introduced must be stated . In 2018 the European Union introduced GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation ) to protect the privacy of data for people in the EU. The UK matched this by updating the Data Protection Act introduced in 1998 to become the Data Protection Act (2018) . This act protects the data of individuals that is stored on computers and processed by organisations. How the Data Protection Act works: Each person who has their data stored is known as a data subject . An employee within an organisation must be appointed as a data controller and it is they who are responsible for registering with the Information Commissioner . The Information Commissioner is the person in the UK who is responsible for managing several laws , most significantly the Data Protection Act. When registering with the Information Commissioner, the organisation's data controller must be clear on exactly: What information they are collecting, Why it is being collected, What the data will be used for . The six principles of the Data Protection Act (2018) state: 1. Data must be collected lawfully and processed fairly. 2. Collected data must only be used for the reasons specified. 3. Data must be relevant and not excessive. 4. Data must be accurate and up-to-date. 5. Data must not be stored for longer than necessary, 6. Data must be stored and processed securely. Actions organisations must take to stick to the Data Protection Act (2018): The company must appoint and register a member of staff to act as the organisation's data controller . The data controller is responsible for communicating with the Information Commissioner and ensuring the principles of the DPA are not broken . There must be strong security measures in practice to protect data from being accessed or transferred without authorisation . This could be in the form of physical or digital protection methods enforced by the company. Staff should be trained so that they are clearly aware of their responsibilities and each principle is adhered to. For example, they should know that data can only be used for the reasons specified when it is collected and should not be passed to others without the permission of the data subject. Data subjects should be given the opportunity to alter their data and make changes if it is incorrect . Data should be deleted when it is no longer needed , so organisations should periodically assess both the accuracy and relevance of storing each data subject's information. Data subjects have the right to make a Subject Access Request (SAR ) and receive a copy of the data which is stored about them. Companies must abide by this request by verifying the user's identify and presenting the data to them securely . Rights of data subjects: Under the Data Protection Act, individuals have a right of access to any information that is stored about them by public bodies . If an individual wishes to access their data they must submit a Subject Access Request (SAR ) which results in the following steps: The organisation's data controller must be written to and told exactly what information is required to access. An administrative fee should be paid to the organisation (but only if the request requires excessive efforts to fulfil ). The organisation must provide the requested information within 40 days . The individual must verify their identity using appropriate ID because only the data subject can request their data . Computer Misuse Act (1990) This act was introduced as computers became cheaper and more common at home and work . The act attempts to stop and punish those who use computers inappropriately . Breaking any of the three principles could result in fines and a jail sentence but only if it can be proved it was done on purpose and not by accident. The Computer Misuse Act (1990 ) includes three main principles : 1. No unauthorised access to data. Example: Hacking a computer system. 2. No unauthorised access to data that could be used for further illegal activities. Example: Accessing personal data to use as blackmail or identity theft. 3. No unauthorised modification of data. Example: Spreading a virus to change data. Data Protection Act (2018) / GDPR Freedom of Information Act (2000) This act allows people to request public authorities to release information . Public authorities include local councils , government departments , universities and hospitals . A freedom of information request must be formally submitted in a letter or email and a reply from the organisation is required within twenty days of receiving the request. A simple freedom of information request might be the average response times of the local ambulance service in the past year. Certain requests will not be accepted , such as if processing the request would be too expensive or if it involves sensitive information protected by the Data Protection Act (2018 ). Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (2000) This act (often shortened to RIPA ) was introduced in response to the increase in both criminal and terrorist activities on the internet, it is used to monitor and access online communication of suspected criminals . If criminal activity is suspected by an individual then this act grants the following powers : Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must provide access to the suspect's online communication , such as emails or social media. Locked or encrypted data may be accessed such as online messages. ISPs could install surveillance equipment or software to track the suspect's online activity . Surveillance may take place to physically track the suspect , e.g. in private vans or by undercover officers in public spaces. Access must be granted to personal information . This act became controversial as its use widened and local councils were using it for minor offences - a Scottish council used the act to monitor dog barking and a council in Cumbria gathered video evidence about who was feeding pigeons . The act has since been changed to only allow the surveillance of crime suspects . Copyright, Designs & Patents Act (1988) This act makes it a criminal offence to copy work that is not your own without the permission of the creator or the copyright holder. This can refer to text, images, music, videos or software. Owning the copyright of an image might not prevent others from copying and using it but this act means that the owner can bring legal proceedings in court to those who have stolen their work . Creators of copyrighted work can take ownership of their work and control how it is used . Others must ask for permission to use the work otherwise the copyright holder can ask for it to be removed or demand a fee for its use . This act specifically prohibits the following actions: Making copies of copyrighted material to sell to others . Importing and downloading illegally copied material (except for personal use). Distributing enough copyrighted material to have a noticeable effect on the copyright holder . Possessing equipment used to copy copyrighted material , as part of a business. Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) Codes of Practice Protection of Freedoms Act (2012) There are seven sections to this act, revolving around the protection of personal data . It was introduced because there was little legislation about biometric data , and to update older laws . IT-related sections are summarised below: Part 1 - States how biometric data (e.g. fingerprints and DNA) is stored, handled and collected. For example, parents must give consent before their child gives biometric data to a school. Also, biometric data for suspects of minor offences is deleted after the case is closed. Part 2 - Creates new regulation for CCTV and ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) use. Part 5 - The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) was created to run background checks on anyone wanting to work with children or vulnerable people. Part 6 - Extends the Freedom of Information Act (2000) allowing for wider requests to be made . The information commissioner is the senior government official in charge of the country's freedom of information requests and the protection of personal data . The Information Commissioner's Office describes itself as "The UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals". The ICO publishes codes of practices about various data protection and privacy topics , usually related to explaining the Data Protection Act . For example, the ICO has a code of practice regarding how organisations should share data and another code of practice about the use of CCTV . The ICO offers help and support to both individuals (such as giving access to students to their exam results) and organisations (such as support with legal electronic marketing). Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (2003) This law (which was updated in 2011 ) regulates how organisations can communicate with individuals . Companies must stick to the following rules: It is an offence to directly contact an individual unless they have specifically opted-in to receive communication. This is commonly managed by using tick boxes on online stores where you must opt-in to receiving promotional material. Companies must clearly state who they are when contacting customers, such as displaying the phone number when calling - and not 'hiding' the number. Organisations must explain how cookies are used on their website . Companies must only contact customers through communication channels that the customer has previously permitted . This can be done with tick boxes when signing up. Customers can select or de-select methods such as email , phone calls and text messages . The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is responsible for this regulation and can fine companies that commit unsolicited communication up to £500,000. It is the customer who benefits and is protected by this regulation. Equality Act (2010) The government states that "The Equality Act legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society." Discrimination because of protected characteristics such as gender , race , religion , age and disability are specifically punishable by legal action. The aim of the act is to end discrimination in the workplace and open up fair opportunities for every employee regardless of behavioural or physical characteristics that are outside of their control . Within a company, the Equality Act protects staff by stating protected characteristics should not be a factor in an employee's promotion or change of role. Information must be presented in a format accessible to all staff . Q uesto's Q uestions 4.1 - UK Legislation: 1. Create a flashcard or PowerPoint slide for each legislation above. Explain the purpose of the legislation , its main principles and whom it affects . [5 each ] 3.6 - Information Systems Topic List 4.2 - Global Legislation

Test your understanding of data structures such as lists (one-dimensional and two-dimensional) and dictionaries. Try practice tasks and learn through text and images. Perfect for students learning GCSE Computer Science in UK schools. top Python - Section 8 Practice Tasks Task One Write a program with a blank list. Use the .append() command to add your three favourite ice-cream flavours to this list and then print the list. Example solution: Task Two Write a program with a list of any 5 numbers. Print the list. Delete the first and third numbers. Print the list. Example solution: Task Three Write a program with a list of three different animals. Write an input line that lets the user type an animal. Add what the user has written to the list and print the list. Example solution: Task Four Sort your list from task two into order. Then print the list. Example solution: Task Five Copy the text on the right and put it into a list named countries. Count the number of countries in the list. Print the longest country. Use a for loop to work out the length of each country. "Egypt", "Angola", " Eritrea " , "Mozambique" , "Ghana" , "Chad" , "Somalia" , "Namibia" , "Sudan" , "Libya" , "Algeria", "Morocco" , "Cameroon" Example solution: Task Six Create a dictionary (see 8c ) that asks users questions about yourself, such as first name, favourite colour or birthday. Let the user answer each question and display the answer if they get it correct. Use the 'Using a Dictionary to Make a Game ' section of 8c to help you. Example solution: ⬅ 8c - Dictionar ies 9a - String Handling ➡

Learn how to use variables in Python. Try practice tasks and learn through text and images. Perfect for students learning GCSE Computer Science in UK schools. top Python 1d - Using Variables Printing Variables Within Sentences Join sentences and variables together using a plus symbol (+ ). Joining strings together like this is called concatenation . name = "Marina" print( "Hello " + name + ", nice to meet you." ) = Hello Marina, nice to meet you. Remember to use speech marks for your printed statements but no speech marks for variable names . You need to use the + symbol before and after each variable. direction = "north" country = "Wales" print ( "Have you been to the " + direction + " of " + country + "?" ) = Have you been to the north of Wales? Commas can be used an alternative to the + symbol but they will automatically add a space . day = "Saturday" print ( "My birthday is on a" + day + "this year." ) print ( "My birthday is on a" , day , "this year." ) = My birthday is on aSaturdaythis year. My birthday is on a Saturday this year. Using Variables Task 1 ( Pizza Toppings) Use a variable named topping1 and another named topping2. Print a sentence that uses both variables names. Example solution: My favourite pizza is ham and mushroom. Printing Number Variables Within Sentences To join strings and number values then you must use a comma as a plus will not work: cookies = 4 print ( "Munch! There's only" , cookies , "left." ) = Munch! There's only 4 cookies left. You need to use a comma before and after each variable. Using Variables Task 2 ( Stars ) Make a variable named stars and set it to a large number. Print a sentence with the stars variable. Example solution: I think there are 827392012 stars in the sky! Using Variables Task 3 ( Age & Month) Use a variable named age and set it to your current age. Make a variable named month and set it to the month you were born. Remember to use speech marks for text , e.g. month = "August" but no speech marks for numbers (your age). Print a sentence that uses both variables names . Example solution: I am 14 and I was born in August. Using f-Strings Another method of using variables within a printed sentence is to use f-strings . Type the letter f before your output and place your variable names in curly brackets - { } Variables of any data type can be used with f-strings. name = "Tony Stark" alias = "Iron Man" print( f"Did you know {name} is actually {alias} ?" ) = Did you know Tony Stark is actually Iron Man? Using Variables Task 4 ( F-Strings) Create and give a value to three variables : movie_name actor year Use an f-string to print a sentence that uses all three variables. Example solution: Did you know that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix stars Daniel Radcliffe and was released in 2007? ⬅ 1c - Creating Variables Sec tion 1 Practice Tasks ➡

Learn how to set up a brand new HTML page using Notepad ++. Find out how to format the document ready for tags to be entered. 1. Setting up a HTML document HTML Guide Watch on YouTube: This guide assumes that you have Notepad++ already installed. If you are working at home and need to download Notepad++ then click here . Save as .html file Notepad++ assumes you are writing a text file so you must change the file type . Open Notepad++ Click File then Save As... Change Save as type: from Normal text file (.txt) to Hyper Text Markup Language file (.html) Change File name: to Fanpage Website.html These steps are necessary to set up your HTML web page correctly. Open Notepad ++ and save your file as a .html document. Editor vs. Browser View In newer versions of Notepad++ click on View then View Current File in and choose a browser installed on your computer such as Chrome . Some versions of Notepad++ enable you to view the document in a web browser by selecting Run then an option such as Launch in Chrome . It is good practice to have both Notepad++ and a web browser open at the same time so that you can easily check if any changes have been made correctly. Remember to press the save icon ( ) before you refresh your browser . Don't expect your web browser to show anything yet. Next it is time to add our essential tags for the structure of the web page. HTML Guide 2. Essential Tags

Learn about the six parts of a data packet and how packet switching works. Based on the 2020 Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE specification. 3.2: Data Packets & Switching Exam Board: Eduqas / WJEC Specification: 2020 + What is a data packet? When sending data across a network, files are broken down into smaller parts called data packets . Whole files are too large to transfer as one unit so data packets allow data to be transferred across a network quickly . Each packet of data is redirected by routers across networks until it arrives at its destination. Data packets may split up and use alternative routes to reach the destination address. When all the packets have arrived at the destination address the data is reassembled back into the original file. Contents of a Data Packet Data packets contain six distinct pieces of data which are used to redirect the packets towards the destination address. Packet Switching vs. Circuit Switching The key difference is that a circuit-switched network sends data along the same route . A packet-switched network sends data packets along different routes . Packet Switching With a packet-switched network the data is split into packets . The data packets are transmitted over a network and may take different routes to its destination. When all the packets have arrived the data is reassembled . The Internet is an example of a packet-switching network. Advantages of Packet Switching: Transmission is more secure as it is harder for a hacker to intercept complete data because it can take different routes . If a network device fails the data packets can take an alternative route . Data packets can be sent efficiently and individually across less busy routes . Disadvantages of Packet Switching: Reassembling the data takes longer because packets may arrive out of order . It is less reliable than circuit switching as some data packets may not reach the destination (this is called packet loss ). Circuit Switching When data is transmitted over a circuit-switched network all of the data takes the same route to the destination address in one continuous stream . The data is quickly reassembled at the destination because it is already in the correct order . The old telephone system is an example of a circuit-switched network. Advantages of Circuit Switching: Reassembling the data is quick because the packets arrive in the order that they were sent. It is more reliable than packet-switching because data is sent in one continuous stream . The transmission is fast and should encounter fewer errors - once the connection has been securely established . Disadvantages of Circuit Switching: Less secure as hackers could intercept the data and more easily access the data as it all takes the same route. Establishing a connection takes time to set up. If any device fails on the route then the whole connection breaks and data transfer will be incomplete. Q uesto's Q uestions 3.2 - Data Packets & Switching: 1. Draw the data packet diagram and label all 6 pieces of information . [ 6 ] 2a. Describe how packet switching works . [3 ] 2b. Describe the advantages of packet switching . [3 ] 2c. Describe the disadvantages of packet switching . [2 ] 3a. Describe how circuit switching works . [3 ] 3b. Describe the advantages of circuit switching . [3 ] 3c. Describe the disadvantages of circuit switching . [3 ] 3.1 - Network Characteristics Theory Topics 3.3 - Network Topology

Test your understanding of data types, calculations and modulo. Try practice tasks and learn through text and images. Perfect for students learning GCSE Computer Science in UK schools. top Python - Section 3 Practice Tasks Task One: Square Number Create a program that asks the user to input a number and then prints the square of that number - to do this, multiply the number by itself . Remember: Break up variables and parts of a sentence in a print line by using commas. Example solutions: Enter a number: 12 The square of 12 is 144 Enter a number: 7 The square of 7 is 49 Task Two: Multiplying Numbers X Example solutions: Create a program that asks the user to input two numbers (num1 and num2 ). Multiply the two numbers together and print the total . Remember: Break up integer variables in a print line by using commas between each part of the sentence. Enter number one: 7 Enter number two: 9 7 x 9 = 63 Enter number one: 8 Enter number two: 12 8 x 12 = 96 Task Three: Turning 65 Example solutions: Create a program to input how old the user will turn this year and then print the year they will turn 65 . You could do this in just two lines but before trying that work out on paper the steps to calculating your own age you will turn 65. What steps did you take? Try to recreate those steps in Python. You might need to create another variable to make it easier. How old will you turn this year? 15 You will turn 65 in 2073 How old will you turn this year? 42 You will turn 65 in 2046 Task Four: Multiplication Table Let the user enter a number then print the first five multiplications in its times table. This can be done more simply when you learn about for loops but for now you will need to multiply the number by 1 , then multiply it by 2 etc. Try to make this program better by displaying the number and the value it is multiplied by in your print statements. Simple example solution: Enter a number: 8 8 16 24 32 40 Better example solution: Enter a number: 7 7 x 1 = 7 7 x 2 = 14 7 x 3 = 21 7 x 4 = 28 7 x 5 = 35 ⬅ 3b - Simple Calculations 4a - If Statements ➡

The list of topics in the 2020 Eduqas / WJEC GCSE Computer Science specification. Eduqas / WJEC GCSE Computer Science These pages are based on the Eduqas GCSE Computer Science 2020 specification . The content can also be used by students studying WJEC GCSE Computer Science in Wales . This website is in no way affiliated with Eduqas / WJEC . 1. Hardware 1.1 - The Central Processing Unit (CPU) 1.2 - The FDE Cycle 1.3 - Primary Storage 1.4 - Secondary Storage 1.5 - Performance 1.6 - Additional Hardware 2. Logical Operators & Boolean 2.1 - Logical Operators 2.2 - Boolean Algebra 3. Networks & Security 3.1 - Network Characteristics 3.2 - Data Packets & Switching 3.3 - Network Topology 3.4 - Network Hardware & Routing 3.5 - Protocols 3.6 - 7-Layer OSI Model 3.7 - The Internet 3.8 - Cyber Threats 3.9 - Protection Against Threats 4. Data 4.1 - Number Systems 4.2 - Signed Binary 4.3 - Binary Calculations 4.4 - Arithmetic Shift 4.5 - Character Sets & Data Types 4.6 - Graphical Representation 4.7 - Sound Representation 4.8 - Compression 5. Data Organisation 5.1 - Data Structures & File Design 6. Operating Systems 6.1 - Operating Systems 6.2 - Utility Software 7. Principles of Programming 7.1 - Language Levels 8. Algorithms & Constructs 8.1 - Programming Principles 8.2 - Understanding Algorithms 8.3 - Writing Algorithms 8.4 - Sorting & Searching Algorithms 8.5 - Validation & Verification 9. Software Development 9.1 - IDE Tools 10. Program Construction 10.1 - Translators 10.2 - Stages of Compilation 10.3 - Programming Errors 11. Technological Issues 11.1 - Impacts of Technology 11.2 - Legislation Component 2 (Programming Exam) Python Removed content from the 2016 Specification