Search CSNewbs
304 results found with an empty search
- 5.1 - Languages & Translators - OCR GCSE (J277 Spec) | CSNewbs
Learn about the two types of language levels - high level languages and low level languages , as well as the use of interpreters and compilers. Based on the J277 OCR GCSE Computer Science specification (first taught from 2020 onwards). 5.1: Languages & Translators Exam Board: OCR Specification: J277 Watch on YouTube : High-Level & Low-Level Languages Translators (Compiler & Interpreter) There are two types of programming languages used within computer systems: High-Level Languages Why do programmers use high-level languages? H igh-level programming languages use code written in a way that is similar to a natural human language , such as English, making it easier to understand and use the language. Using high-level languages leads to fewer errors and allows for more powerful and complex commands compared to low-level languages. However, a high-level language must be translated into machine code (binary) before it can be run, as high-level languages cannot be executed directly by the CPU . Popular high-level languages: PYT HON C++ Ja v a Visual Basic Low-Level Languages Low-level languages do not closely resemble a natural human language , making it harder for humans to understand and write in. Low-level languages are used when a program must be executed quickly or when programmers need to write code that interacts directly with the hardware , such as device drivers. There are two types of low-level language : Machine Code This is the pure binary code that computers can directly process and execute . It is extremely tedious and difficult for humans to understand and write machine code. However, machine code can be used when a programmer needs to perform a very specific command that can't be done in a high-level language. Machine code will be executed faster than high-level programs because it is already in a format the CPU can execute and does not need to be translated . 0010 1011 0101 0101 0110 0111 0101 0001 0101 0101 0101 0100 1010 1010 1010 1010 1111 1110 0010 1001 0100 1001 0010 0111 0111 0101 0011 1010 1000 0101 0110 0111 0000 1010 1010 0011 1101 1001 0010 1101 0010 0100 1001 0011 1010 1001 0101 0101 0010 0101 0111 0101 0101 1000 1011 0111 Assembly Language Assembly language uses specialised command mnemonics to perform actions . See the Assembly Language section in the programming tab for a list of mnemonics such as INP , OUT and HLT . Assembly language is preferred by many programmers over machine code because it is easier to understand and spot errors . It is faster to execute than high-level languages and, like machine code, can be used to directly control the CPU . INP STA Number1 OUT HLT Number1 DAT Translators A translator changes (translates) a program written in one language into another language (usually machine code ). There are two main types of translator : Interpreter An interpreter converts high-level language one line at a time into machine code and executes it. Compiler A compiler converts high-level language into machine code for execution at a later time. The entire program is converted at once . PYT HON PYT HON 0010 1011 0101 0101 0110 0111 0101 0001 0101 0101 0010 1011 0101 0101 0110 0111 0101 0001 0101 0101 Interpreters vs Compilers Interpreter Compiler Execution Method: An interpreter translates source code (high level code) into machine code one line at a time . Execution Speed: An interpreter is slower than a compiler because the code must be reinterpreted each time the program is run. Complexity: Interpreters are smaller, simpler programs . Error Reporting: In error reporting, the interpreter would encounter the errors and report it to the user immediately and stops the program from running. Repetition: Interpreted programs can be edited and run without translating the whole program . Interpreters must reinterpret the program every time it is run. Execution Method: A compiler translates all the source code (high level code) into machine code in one go . A compiler produces an executable file that will run on other machines without the compiler needing to be installed. Execution Speed: Compilers can produce much more efficient code than interpreters making the compiled programs run faster . Complexity: Compilers tend to be large complex programs . Error Reporting: The compiler would analyse the entire program , taking note of where errors have occurred and record them in an error file . Repetition: Compilation requires analysis and the generation of the code only once , whereas interpreters must re-interpret each time. However, compiled programs have to be re-compiled after any changes have been made. x1 ∞ x1 Q uesto's Q uestions 5.1 - Languages & Translators: 1a. Describe three reasons why programmers use high-level languages . [ 3 ] 1b. Explain one limitation of using high-level languages . [2 ] 2a. Describe a key difference between low-level languages and high-level languages . [ 2 ] 2b. Describe when a low-level language would be used instead of a high-level language . [2 ] 2c. Describe an advantage and a disadvantage of writing directly in machine code . [2 ] 2d. Describe what assembly language is. Give one benefit to using assembly language instead of machine code and one benefit to using it instead of a high-level language . [3 ] 3. Compare high-level and low-level languages by stating which is: a. Easier to understand [ 1 ] b. Requiring translation [ 1 ] c. Quicker to execute [ 1 ] 4. Compare interpreters and compilers for each of the following features : a. Execution Method b. Execution Speed c. Complexity d. Error Reporting e. Repetition [ 10 total ] 4.1 - Boolean Logic Theory Topics 5.2 - IDE
- Greenfoot Guide #5 | Play Sounds | CSNewbs
Learn how to play sound files in Greenfoot. Part 5 of the Greenfoot Tutorial for the Eduqas / WJEC GCSE 2016 specification. 5. Play Sounds 1. Check the Sounds Folder Greenfoot Tutorial Sound files must be placed the ' sounds ' folder of your Greenfoot project to be used in the game. In the Component 2 exam of the WJEC / Eduqas 2016 specification , an audio file will be placed in the sounds folder already . For this example game you can download the audio clips to the right and paste them into your sounds folder . Watch on YouTube: Click the audio icon to download a zip folder of the two sound files below . Copy the files into the sounds folder of your Greenfoot project . < Part 4 - Remove Objects 2. Add the playSound Method Add the code to play the sound at the same time as when the collectible object is removed . The name of the file and its extension (e.g. .wav or .mp3 ) must be written in speech marks after the playSound method. Part 6 - The Counter >
- 2.4c - Character Storage - OCR GCSE (J277 Spec) | CSNewbs
Learn about the main character sets - ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) and Unicode. Based on the J277 OCR GCSE Computer Science specification (first taught from 2020 onwards). 2.4c: Character Storage Exam Board: OCR Specification: J277 Watch on YouTube : Character Sets ASCII Unicode Text File Size What is a Character Set? A character set is a table that matches together a character and a binary value . Each character in a character set has a unique binary number matched with it . Character sets are necessary as they allow computers to exchange data and humans to input characters . Two common character sets are ASCII and Unicode : H = 01001000 ASCII Unicode ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange ) is a common character set which does not take up much memory space . It is important to understand that the number of characters that can be stored is limited by the bits available - ASCII uses 1 byte (8 bits ) which only gives 256 possible characters . This is enough for the English language but it can’t be used for other languages or all punctuation symbols. Unicode is a more popular character set because it uses 2 bytes (16 bits ) that allow for 65,536 possible characters . The extra byte allows many different languages to be represented , as well as thousands of symbols and emojis . However Unicode requires more memory to store each character than ASCII as it uses an extra byte . Character sets are logically ordered . For example, the binary code for A is 01000001 , B is 01000010 and C is 01000011 as the code increases by 1 with each character. The file size of a text file is calculated as shown below: bits per character x number of characters Example: A small text file uses the ASCII character set (which uses 8 bits per character ). There are 300 characters in the file . 300 x 8 = 2,400 bits This could be simplified as 300 bytes or 0.3 kilobytes . File Size of Text Files 01101010 = 256 possible characters 8 bits (1 byte) 1000101101001111 = 65,536 possible characters 16 bits (2 bytes) Q uesto's Q uestions 2.4c - Character Storage: 1. What is a character set and why are they needed ? [ 2 ] 2. Describe 3 differences between ASCII and Unicode . [6 ] 3. The binary code for the character P in ASCII is 01010000 . State what the binary code for the character S would be. [1 ] 4a. A text file uses the ASCII character set and contains 400 characters . What would the file size be in kilobytes ? [ 2 ] 4b. A text file uses the Unicode character set and contains 150 characters . What would the file size be in kilobytes ? [ 2 ] 2.4b - Binary Addition & Shifts Theory Topics 2.4d - Image Storage
- OCR CTech IT | Unit 1 | 1.1 - Computer Hardware | CSNewbs
Learn about input and output devices used with computer systems. Based on the 2016 OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT specification. 1.1 - Computer Hardware Exam Board: OCR Specification: 2016 - Unit 1 Input Devices An input device allows data, such as text, images, video or sound, to be entered into a computer system. Common input devices: Mouse Keyboard Scanner Controller Microphone Webcam Chip Reader OCR / OMR Scanner Barcode Scanner Graphics Tablet Sensors (e.g. light or temperature) Touch Screen Remote Control Biometric Scanner (e.g. fingerprint or iris) Concept Keyboard Output Devices There are many outputs created by a computer system, including printed documents, on-screen data and sound. Common output devices: Monitor Printer (e.g. inkjet or laser) Plotter Speakers Projector Alarm Light Headphones Touch Screen Braille Terminal Communication devices can be found in 1.5 . Biometric Devices A biometric device uses a human characteristic as part of its security mechanism, such as a fingerprint , iris (eye), face o r voice . Organisations using biometrics must instruct each employee to first input their information to a database , by scanning their fingerprint for example. Whenever the scanner scans a finger it searches in its database to see if the fingerprint matches one that it already holds . Only authorised employees will have already scanned their fingerprints so if there is no match then access is not allowed . Advantages of biometric devices: Security is improved as biometrics can't be shared like passwords can. Even if a password is exposed the system can't be accessed without having the biometric too. Biometric scanners verify that a user is who they claim to be. Using a biometric device (e.g. fingerprint scanner) might be quicker and easier than entering a username and password. Disadvantages of biometric devices: Can be expensive to install and all users must take the time to initially set up by entering their biometric into the database so they will be recognised by the system. Unreliable in that it can be affected by the environment (e.g. dirty fingers can't be used with a fingerprint scanner or voice recognition may not work in a loud environment). Disabled users might not be able to provide the biometric required. Privacy concerns - users might not want their personal characteristics stored on a computer system. Q uesto's Q uestions 1.1 - Computer Hardware: 1. Make a list of 5 input devices and 5 output devices . Challenge yourself to look up and include devices from this page you may not be familiar with. [10 ] 2a. State 3 human features that may be recorded by a biometric device . [3 ] 2b. Describe how a biometric device works . [3 ] 2c. A school is considering installing biometric devices to allow only sixth form students to enter certain parts of the school. Describe 3 advantages and 3 disadvantages to the school of using biometrics in this way. [10 ] Topic List 1.2 - Computer Components
- 1.6 - Information Formats | Unit 2 | OCR Cambridge Technicals | CSNewbs
Learn about different formats for presenting data on the internet including webpages, blogs, streamed video and audio, document stores and RSS feeds. Based on the 2016 OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT specification for Unit 2 (Global Information). 1.6 - Information Formats Exam Board: OCR Specification: 2016 - Unit 2 The following formats are used to display information on the internet . Web Pages Web pages can be used for a diverse range of purposes including advertising products, reporting information , displaying images and eCommerce (online shopping). There are two types of web page: Static web page Static web pages contain content that is pre-built and remains the same each time the page is loaded . Static web pages are cheaper and easier to create and load quicker ; they use basic HTML. It can be changed by the site editor but will appear the same for everyone who has access to it, such as a classic promotional website for a small company. Dynamic web page Dynamic web pages are generated when they are loaded and can appear different to different users . Dynamic web pages are harder to code but they can be linked to databases to allow them to show personalised content to whoever is viewing the site; they are written in server-side languages like PHP. The Amazon homepage is an example of a dynamic web page as personalised deals based on previous user history will be shown if you are logged in with an account. Blogs Blogs are used to share information with like-minded individuals, such as those who enjoy the same hobbies or beliefs . Charities , game developers and other businesses also use blogs as a way of updating their customer base with what they have done or what they are working on. Blogs can feature multimedia such as text, images, videos and links to other sites. Advantages of Blogs Disadvantages of Blogs ✓ Share information with followers in the format of text, images and video . ✓ Blogs and vlogs can unite people with similar interests , such as a cookery blog or travel vlog. X Takes a lot of effort and time to create posts, especially if videos need to be edited before posting. Potential customers could be lost if blogs aren't updated regularly . X It can be difficult to build up a customer base directly from a blog. Posts must be engaging , researched and correct . Podcasts A podcast is a downloadable audio file , usually on a certain topic such as sports or gaming that can be listened to when convenient for the user. Spotify and Apple Music have a wide library of podcasts. Advantages of Podcasts Disadvantages of Podcasts ✓ Podcasts are not (usually) recorded live , so they can be edited and uploaded at a certain time each week. ✓ Podcasts can be listened to when convenient for the user, so they can't 'miss' it and can catch up when is best for them. ✓ Podcasts are becoming more and more popular , so the possible audience base is growing each year. Celebrity guests are one way to entice more listeners. X Takes time to record a podcast, especially if they need to be edited to add in music or sound effects or to remove mistakes . X It can be difficult to build up an audience directly from a podcast. Podcasts should be on a topic that interests people and spoken in an engaging way. Streamed Audio & Video Streaming is the process of receiving video / audio data in a continuous flow . This allows the user to access the video / audio immediately , without having to wait for the file to download entirely. For example, the BBC provide live radio streaming online for their radio shows and BBC iPlayer allows users to watch 'catch up' programs that previously aired. YouTube is a widely-used streamed video platform and Spotify is a popular streamed audio service. Advantages of Streamed Media Disadvantages of Streamed Media ✓ Streaming does not require data to be downloaded entirely before use - users can watch / listen as soon as the connection starts . ✓ Streaming is harder for users to share than downloading a file . Netflix uses this as a form of piracy protection . X Streaming requires high bandwidth so users may suffer performance issues on slower devices and networks . X Streaming requires a constant network connection compared to downloadable media which can be used when offline / outside. Social Media Channels Social media channels provide a huge amount of data on users in an informal space. Organisations can receive feedback through user posts and comments . Real-time statistics like views, likes and shares provide an insight to user opinion . Social media channels include traditional sites such as Facebook and Twitter as well as business and recruitment platforms such as LinkedIn . Discussion boards and forums , such as Reddit , are increasingly popular for users to discuss similar hobbies and interests such as politics, gaming and healthy eating. Advantages of Social Media Disadvantages of Social Media ✓ Social media can increase a business' online presence as it is online 24/7 for users to comment and interact with posts. ✓ Posts can be shared between users and their contacts, allowing a post to 'go viral' and be seen by potentially millions of viewers . ✓ Posts can be shared in different information styles such as text , images , video or hyperlinks to other websites. ✓ Businesses can use social media to communicate with their customer s , such as direct messages on Facebook if a customer is unhappy. X Businesses may need to hire a social media manager to interact with customers , update posts and remove spam. X Negative posts can be shared and spread very quickly , such as if a customer complains about how a business treated them poorly. X Businesses must be cautious about what they post , to not accidentally offend others and damage their reputation . Emails Emails can be used to provide information to a large amount of people almost instantly . A company may use an email to advertise new products , inform potential customers of a marketing promotion or target specific users based on previous interactions. Advantages of Emails Disadvantages of Emails ✓ Faster (almost instant) and cheaper (usually free) to send an email compared to traditional letters . ✓ Files can be attached to the email, such as images, videos or forms to complete. ✓ An audit trail can be kept, recording communication between the company and its customers. ✓ Emails can be sent, delivered and read at the user's convenience and to any internet-enabled device across the world . X An internet connection is required to open and read the email. Larger attachments may not open on mobile devices. X Malware can spread through email attachments. Phishers use emails to gain access to personal information and account details . X Some attachments sent via email may be unreadable on different devices / operating systems. X Emails may automatically go into the spam / junk folder and be deleted without being read . Document Stores Document stores allow users to store online files in cloud storage . Common services are Google Drive , Dropbox and Microsoft's OneDrive . Storing documents in the cloud allows users to edit and access them from any location with an internet connection and opens up opportunities for collaboration . Many organisations offer cloud storage space for free up to a certain amount before charging customers for more data. Document stores are very convenient for users and replace the need for portable storage devices like USB sticks. Teachers can use documents stores to share resources with other staff in a school . Documents stores can only be accessed with an internet connection so files will be unavailable during maintenance or network failure. Users rely on the cloud hosting provider, such as Microsoft and Google to keep the data secure and available . RSS Feeds RSS Feeds (short for Rich Site Summary ) allow users to subscribe to updates from their favourite websites. It is a web feed that updates whenever a subscribed site releases new information. For example, the BBC used to post updates for important news headlines which appeared in a subscribed user's RSS feed. As of 2020 most browsers no longer have built-in RSS functionality and it is rarely used . Q uesto's Q uestions 1.6 - Information Formats: 1. Describe the difference between static and dynamic web pages . [4 ] 2. For each type of information format describe its advantages and disadvantages . a. Blogs [8 ] b. Podcasts [8 ] c. Streamed Audio / Video [8 ] d. Social Media [8 ] e. Emails [8 ] 3. Explain how document stores could be used by organisations and individuals . [4 ] 4. Explain what an RSS feed is and how an organisation could use it . [3 ] 1.5 - WWW Technologies Topic List 1.7 & 1.8 - Internet Pros & Cons
- 4.8 - Compression - Eduqas GCSE (2020 Spec) | CSNewbs
Learn about the benefits of compression and the differences between lossy and lossless compression. Also, learn how compression ratios work. Based on the 2020 Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE specification. 4.8: Compression Exam Board: Eduqas / WJEC Specification: 2020 + What is compression? To compress a file means to make its size smaller . Benefits of compression include: Files take up less storage space (so more files can be stored). Files can be transferred quicker (because they are smaller). Files can be read from or written to quicker . There are two methods that are used to compress files: Lossy and Lossless . Lossy Compression Lossy compression uses an algorithm (set of instructions) to analyse a file and remove data that cannot be heard or seen by humans . For example, a lossy algorithm would analyse the sound waves of an audio file and remove any frequencies which humans cannot hear. This process reduces the size of the file . Further lossy compression will remove data that humans can see / hear . For example, the dog image to the right has been strongly compressed using a lossy algorithm and some data has clearly been removed. Lossy compression removes the data permanently , so the file can never return to its original form . Lossy compression is often used with images , audio and video to reduce the file size, for example to send over the internet. Lossless Compression Lossless compression reduces the size of a file without permanently removing any data . Because of this, the file is returned to its original form when decompressed, so no quality is lost . A file that is compressed with a lossless algorithm is usually larger than a file compressed with a lossy algorithm because no data has been permanently removed. Lossless compression is used with files that would not work if data was removed, for example executable files (e.g. programs and games) or word documents . Remember that lossy and lossless compression do not just refer to images. Below is an audio file that has been compressed with lossy compression . Data has been removed so the audio quality has decreased. 197 KB 81 KB 43 KB Compression Ratios Original File Size Compression Ratio = Compressed File Size 4 Mb = 5:1 20 Mb Example: A file has been compressed from 20 megabytes down to 4 megabytes. This is a compression ratio of 5:1. To calculate the size after compression , divide the original size by the first ratio value, then multiply it by the second value. For example, the new size for file 1 is (210 ÷ 10) x 3 = 63 MB. Triple-click the final column to see the right answers. Q uesto's Q uestions 4.8 - Compression: 1. Describe 3 benefits of compressing a file . [ 3 ] 2. Describe the differences between lossy and lossless compression . [4 ] 3. A student needs to compress a Microsoft Word document to send in an email. Suggest which type of compression they should use and why . [ 2 ] 4a. A text file was 72 KB and was compressed to 8 KB . State the compression ratio . 4b. An audio file was 4.5 MB and has been compressed to 0.9 MB. State the ratio. 4c. A 20 MB file is compressed with a ratio of 5:2 . What is the size of the compressed file ? [ 1 each ] 63MB 164KB 96KB 4.7 Sound Representation Theory Topics 5.1 - Data Structures
- 3.1b - Hardware & Internet - OCR GCSE (J277 Spec) | CSNewbs
Learn about network devices such as a switch, router, modem and NIC. Also learn about internet terms and services including DNS and the Cloud. Based on the J277 OCR GCSE Computer Science specification (first taught from 2020 onwards). 3.1b: Network Hardware + The Internet Exam Board: OCR Specification: J277 Watch on YouTube : The Internet Network Hardware DNS Servers The Cloud Network Devices 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. Wireless Access Point A Wireless Access Point provides a link between wireless and wired networks . It creates a wireless local area network that allows WiFi-enabled devices to connect to a wired network. Examples of a wireless access point in a public space could be a WiFi or Bluetooth hotspot , for example a WiFi hotspot in a coffee shop or airport to provide access to the internet. A wireless access point may be a separate device or built into another device such as a router. Router Routers are used to transfer data packets between networks . Routers receive data packets and use the IP address in the packet header to determine the best route to transmit the data. Data is transferred from router to router across the internet towards the destination. A router stores the IP address of each computer connected to it on the network and uses a list called a routing table to calculate the quickest and shortest route to transfer data. Switch A switch is used to connect devices together on a LAN . It receives data packets from a connected node, reads the destination address in the packet header and forwards the data directly to its destination. A switch will generate a list of the MAC addresses of all devices connected to it when it receives data , and must scan for a matching destination address before sending. An alternative to a switch is a hub but a hub is slower and less secure as it forwards a copy of received data to all connected nodes . Network Interface Controller / Card A Network Interface Controller (NIC ) commonly also known as a Network Interface Card is an internal piece of hardware that is required for the computer to connect to a network . The card includes a MAC address which is used when sending data across a LAN . An ethernet cable is plugged into the network card to allow data to be exchanged between the device and a network. A NIC used to be a separate expansion card but is now typically embedded on the motherboar d . Transmission Media Although not technically a device, the communication channel along which data is transferred will affect performance . Three common types of transmission media include: Ethernet cables - used typically on a LAN to transfer data between nodes and hardware such as switches. Examples include Cat5e and Cat6. Fibre Optic cables - very fast but more expensive and fragile cables typically used to send data quickly along a WAN . Data is sent as pulses of light . Coaxial cables - older , slower , copper cables that are not used as much in modern times as they can be affected by electromagnetic interference . The Internet The internet is a global network of interconnected networks . The world wide web (WWW ) is not the same as the internet. It is a way of accessing information , using protocols such as HTTPS to view web pages . Servers provide services on the internet , such as a web server which responds to the web browser (client) request to display a web page . The web server processes the client request to prepare the web page and return it so the web browser can display it to the user . A website must be hosted (stored) on a web server so that it can be accessed by others using the internet . A unique domain name (e.g. csnewbs.com) must be registered with a domain registrar – this is a company that checks the name is valid and not already taken . What is the Internet? DNS Servers A DNS ( Domain Name System ) server stores a list of domain names and a list of corresponding IP addresses where the website is stored. The first thing to understand is that every web page has a domain name that is easy for humans to remember and type in (such as www.csnewbs.com ) as well as a related IP address (such as 65.14.202.32) which is a unique address for the device that the web page is stored on. The steps taken to display a web page: 1. A domain name is typed into the address bar of a browser . 2. A query is sent to the local DNS server for the corresponding IP address of the domain name . www.facebook.com 3. The local DNS server will check if it holds an IP address corresponding to that domain name. If it does it passes the IP address to your browser . 66.220.144.0 4. The browser then connects to the IP address of the server and accesses the web site . If the local DNS server does not hold the IP address then the query is passed to another DNS server at a higher level until the IP address is resolved. If the IP address is found, the address is passed on to DNS servers lower in the hierarchy until it is passed to your local DNS server and then to your browser. Cloud Storage The cloud refers to networks of servers accessed on the internet . Cloud computing is an example of remote service provision . Cloud servers can have different purposes such as running applications , remote processing and storing data . When you store data in 'the cloud', using services such as Google Drive or Dropbox, your data is stored on large servers owned by the hosting company . The hosting company (such as Google) is responsible for keeping the servers running and making your data accessible on the internet . Cloud storage is very convenient as it allows people to work on a file at the same time and it can be accessed from different devices. However, if the internet connection fails , or the servers are attacked then the data could become inaccessible . Cloud Storage Characteristics: ✓ - Huge CAPACITY and you can upgrade your subscription if you need more storage. ✓ / X - Cloud storage is difficult to rank in terms of PORTABILITY , DURABILITY and ACCESS SPEED because it depends on your internet connection. A fast connection would mean that cloud storage is very portable (can be accessed on a smartphone or tablet) but a poor connection would make access difficult . ✓ - Cloud storage is typically free for a certain amount of storage. Users can then buy a subscription to cover their needs - Dropbox allows 2 GB for free or 2 TB for £9.99 a month. Q uesto's Q uestions 3.1b - Network Hardware & Internet: 1a. Explain how a switch works. [ 2 ] 1b. Describe the purpose of a router . [ 2 ] 1c. State what WAP stands for and why it is used . [ 2 ] 1d. State what NIC stands for and why it is required . [ 2 ] 1e. State the differences between the three main types of transmission media . [ 3 ] 2a. State what the internet is and how it is different to the world wide web . [ 2 ] 2b. What is web hosting ? [ 2 ] 3a. What is a DNS server ? [ 2 ] 3b. Describe, using a mix of text and icons / images , how a DNS server is used to display a web page . [5 ] 3c. Describe how a DNS server searches for an IP address if it is not found on the local DNS server . [ 2 ] 4a. Describe what cloud computing is. [ 2 ] 4b. State two advantages and two disadvantages of the cloud . [ 4 ] 3.1a - Network Types & Performance Theory Topics 3.2a - Wired & Wireless Networks
- Python | Extended Task 2 | CSNewbs
Test your ability to create a more complex program in Python based on a given scenario. Perfect for students learning GCSE Computer Science in UK schools. Extended Task 2 Lottery 17 8 4 13 20 Create a program to simulate a lottery draw. First, create an appropriate print line to welcome the user to your lottery draw. Then let the user enter five numbers between 1 and 20. Next, randomise five numbers between 1 and 20. Check to see how many numbers match and output an appropriate response for each scenario (e.g. “You have not matched any numbers, better luck next time!”) Once you have made the base program implement subroutines and lists . Make it as efficient as possible and professional-looking. Use pauses to reveal each number one at a time like a real lottery draw to build suspense. For this task, you will need to create a document and include the following sections (with screenshots where appropriate): An introduction to explain the Purpose of your program . A List of Requirements for a successful program. Screenshots of your code (with comments in your code to show understanding). Testing – Create a plan to show how you will test your program and then explanations of any errors that you found and how they were fixed . An Evaluation of what worked, what didn’t, and how you met each of your requirements from your original list. Also, discuss further improvements that you could have made to improve your program. Example solution: Helpful reminders for this task: Inputting Numbers Random Numbers Logical Operators Subroutines ⬅ Extended Task 1 (Pork Pies) Extended Task 3 (Blackjack) ➡
- Key Stage 3 Python | The Basics | CSNewbs
The first part of a quick guide to the basics of Python aimed at Key Stage 3 students. Learn about comments and printing. Python - #1 - The Basics 1. Start with Commenting Programmers write A LOT of code. They need to understand exactly what they have written, especially if they are working as part of a team or returning to code after working on other projects. To help them understand what they have written, programmers use comments to annotate (explain) their code . Task 1 - Create a new Python program and use # to write a comment that says your name and the date. Save the file as 1-Basics.py In Python, type the # symbol then your message to write a comment. Comments are not printed when you run a program! It is a good idea to start every program with a comment, so you know what the program is about . 2. Printing to the Screen The most basic and common command you will use in Python is print . Inside the print brackets, you can write a message within speech marks . Your print command should turn purple - don't use any capital letters in Python unless it is inside speech marks! Task 2 - Write a nice message by using the print command, brackets and speech marks. Press F5 to run your program. 3. More Printing You can write multiple print lines one after another to print on different lines. Task 3 - Add two more print lines to your program. You can choose any message that you like. 4. New Lines You can use the special command \n to start a new line . This allows you to write on multiple lines but only use one print line. Use the backslash ( \ ) not the forward-slash ( / ). Task 4 - Use \n to write a 3 sentence conversation in only one line of code. Challenge Programs Use everything that you have learned on this page to help you create these programs... Challenge Task 1 - Days of the Week Create a new Python program. Save it as ' 1-Week.py ' Add a comment at the top with your name and the date. Create a program that prints the days of the week, with each day on a new line. BONUS : Try to use only one print line. BONUS : Have no empty spaces at the start of each line. When you run it, it should look like this: Challenge Task 2 - Conversation Create a new Python program. Save it as ' 1-Conversation.py ' Add a comment at the top with your name and the date. Create a program that prints a 6-line conversation between two people. It is up to you what these two people are talking about. BONUS : Try to use only one print line. BONUS : Have no empty spaces at the start of each line. When you run it, it could look something like this: #2 Variables >>>
- 8.3 - Writing Algorithms - Eduqas GCSE (2020 Spec) | CSNewbs
Learn about how to write algorithms, including pseudocode and the different flowchart symbols. Based on the 2020 Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE specification. 8.3: Writing Algorithms Exam Board: Eduqas / WJEC Specification: 2020 + Pseudocode Reminder Generally, pseudocode can be written in any way that is readable and clearly shows its purpose. However, the Eduqas exam board advises that pseudocode for the programming exam should follow the conventions below : Annotation { Write your comment in curly brackets} Define data type price is integer firstname is string Declare a variable's value set price = 100 set firstname = "Marcella" Input / output output "Please enter your first name" input firstname Selection (must have indentation) if firstname = "Steven" then output "Hello" + firstname elif firstname = "Steve" then output "Please use full name" else output "Who are you?" end if Iteration (while loop) while firstname ! = "Steven" output "Guess my name." input firstname repeat Iteration (for loop) for i in range 10 input item next i Define a subroutine Declare Sub1 [Subroutine content indented] End Sub1 Call a subroutine call Sub1 Writing Algorithms In an exam you may be asked to write an algorithm using pseudocode . Previous exams have offered up to 10 marks for a single algorithm . While this may seem daunting, it means you can still gain marks for an incomplete program , so don't leave it blank no matter what! You must decompose the problem and break it down into more manageable chunks . Here's an example question : “A teacher is marking tests. Write an algorithm that allows the teacher to input the number of tests to mark and then the mark of each test. Output the average mark, highest mark and lowest mark. The tests are marked out of 100.” This specific algorithm can be broken down into pre-code and three main parts : Part 0: Declare and assign variables. Part 1: Input the number of tests to mark. Part 2: Input the mark of each test. Part 3: Output the average, lowest and highest marks. Part 0: Variables Read the question carefully and work out the variables you will need in your algorithm. I have highlighted them in blue below: “A teacher is marking tests. Write an algorithm that allows the teacher to input the number of tests to mark and then the mark of each test . Output the average mark , highest mark and lowest mark . The tests are marked out of 100.” There is an additional variable to track as the average mark can only be worked out if we also know the total marks . number_of_tests is integer test_mark is integer average_mark is real highest_mark is integer lowest_mark is integer total is integer number_of_tests = 0 test_mark = 0 average_mark = 0 highest_mark = -1 lowest_mark = 101 total = 0 Before you write the actual program, you must declare the variables you will need and assign values to them. Firstly, declare the data type of each variable . A whole number is an integer and a decimal number is a real . The average must be a real data type because it is the result of division (total ÷ number_of_tests) and could be a decimal number . When assigning values, most numerical variables will be 0 . Most string values would be " " . However this question is a bit more complicated - the highest mark must start as a really low value and the lowest mark must start as a really high value . This is ensure the first mark entered becomes the highest and lowest mark - this will make sense later. Part 1: Input Number of Tests output “Enter the number of tests to mark: ” input number_of_tests After declaring and assigning your variables the next parts will depend on the algorithm you need to write. This example requires the user to input the number of tests . Part 2: Input Each Mark (Loop) for i = 1 to number_of_tests output “Enter the test mark: ” input test_ mark For part 2 we need the teacher to enter each test’s mark . This is best done as a loop as we do not know how many tests the teacher has to mark until they have typed it in (part 1). All code within the loop must be indented . if test_mark > highest_mark then highest_mark = test_mark endif if test_mark < lowest_mark then lowest_mark = test_mark endif We also need to work out what the highest and lowest marks are. This must be done within the loop as the test marks are entered. The test mark is compared to the current highest and lowest marks . If it is higher than the current highest mark it becomes the new highest mark . If it is lower than the current lowest mark it becomes the new lowest mark . This is why we set the highest_mark and lowest_mark to extreme values at the start - so the first mark entered becomes the new highest and lowest . total = total + test_mark next i The final steps of part 2 are to update the total marks and to close the loop . The total is increased by the test mark that has been entered. The ‘next i ’ command states that the current iteration has ended . The indentation has now stopped. Part 3: Outputs average_mark = total / number_of_tests output “The average mark is:” , average_mark output “The highest mark is:” , highest_mark output “The lowest mark is:” , lowest_mark Before the average can be output, it must be calculated by dividing the total by the number of tests . Then the average , highest and lowest marks can be output . Full Answer number_of_tests is integer test_mark is integer average_mark is real highest_mark is integer lowest_mark is integer total is integer number_of_tests = 0 test_mark = 0 average_mark = 0 highest_mark = -1 lowest_mark = 101 total = 0 output “Enter the number of tests to mark: ” input number_of_tests for i = 1 to number_of_tests output “Enter the test mark: ” input test_ mark if test_mark > highest_mark then highest_mark = test_mark endif if test_mark < lowest_mark then lowest_mark = test_mark endif total = total + test_mark next i average_mark = total / number_of_tests output “The average mark is:” , average_mark output “The highest mark is:” , highest_mark output “The lowest mark is:” , lowest_mark This example is slightly more complicated than some of the recent previous exam questions for writing algorithms. Remember to decompose the problem by identifying the variables you need first. Q uesto's Q uestions 8.3 - Writing Algorithms: 1. A violin player performs a piece of music 8 times . They record a score out of 5 how well they think they performed after each attempt. Write an algorithm using pseudocode that allows the violinist to enter the 8 scores and displays the highest score , lowest score and average score . An example score is 3.7. [10 ] 2. A cyclist wants a program to be made that allows them to enter how many laps of a circuit they have made and the time in seconds for each lap . For example they may enter 3 laps, with times of 20.3 , 23.4 and 19.8 seconds . The program should output the quickest lap time , slowest lap time , total amount of time spent cycling and the average lap time . Create an algorithm using pseudocode for this scenario. [10 ] 8.2 - Understanding Algorithms Theory Topics 8.4 - Sorting & Searching
- HTML | CSNewbs
The homepage for the HTML section on CSNewbs. Learn how to create an HTML website from scratch and how each tag works. I'm Arthur the Alligator and I'm here to teach you HTML. HTML GUide Show me how to make a webpage in HTML from scratch. List of Tags Show me a list of tags I can use.
- Python | Section 8 Practice Tasks | CSNewbs
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 ➡








