Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of different types of software including open-source, closed-source, off-the-shelf and bespoke. Based on the 2016 OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT specification. 2.1: Software Types Exam Board: OCR Specification: 2016 - Unit 1 Software refers to the programs and applications that run on a computer system. Open Source Software Source code is the software code written by programmers . If the software is open source it means that users can view and modify the code . Linux, Python and Firefox are examples of open source software. Benefits Drawbacks Because the source code is available to edit , it can be customised to the organisation's needs . Often shared in the public domain so users can work together to modify, debug and improve a product. Unwanted features can be removed to make the software run faster . There are security risks - some editors may add malicious code to the program. Open source software is often low in price and sometimes free. It may be difficult to receive support as development is often distributed between people in different locations. The code may be prone to errors as it may not have been tested fully. It requires technical skills to be able to adapt source code efficiently and to maintain the code . Closed Source Software If the software is closed source it means the code is restricted for users to view or modify . You buy the right to use the software but you don't actually own it. Microsoft Office, Fortnite and Spotify are examples of closed source software. Closed source software is also known as proprietary software because it is another company's property and protected by law. Benefits Drawbacks The code is well tested and has been professionally developed. Updates will generally be secure . Users must rely on the company to provide updates and fix issues. This might be infrequent or stop completely. The company can be held to account if it does not perform as listed in the terms and conditions upon purchase. Often not free (see Freeware below for free closed source software). Most developers will provide some form of help/support . Users cannot modify, debug or improve the code for their own benefit. Off-the-Shelf Software This is any software made for general use , with features that can be used in different ways and for different purposes . Examples include office software (e.g. Microsoft Office), video games (e.g. Minecraft) and image editors (e.g. Adobe PhotoShop). Back before internet downloads, people had to actually go to shops and buy software off the shelf and install it at home, hence the name. Benefits Drawbacks Should have been tested thoroughly so users can be confident that features will work as expected . Secure updates will be regular. It can be expensive to purchase some software , especially for a single user rather than a business. Some software, such as anti-virus protection, requires yearly licenses . It can be cheaper to purchase than bespoke software as it is not customised for a specific user or organisation. The software may contain additional features that the user / organisation doesn’t need which can reduce the performance of the system. The end users might be familiar with the software and trust the company (e.g. Microsoft Word). Bespoke Software This is any software that has been custom made for a specific organisation or user. For example, programmers might be hired by a company to create software for a specific task. Hospitals and schools use bespoke software to track and manage patients / students. It can be expensive to commission bespoke software as programmers and user interface designers need to be hired and there could be issues with rights to any created software. Benefits Drawbacks The software is built to the company's requirements , it is unique to their needs. Unwanted features can be removed to make the software run faster . Bespoke software is expensive to develop because it is tailor-made for the company. Staff may require training on using the system because it is unique . The look of the software (e.g. design & layout ) can be customised to fit the company's image. Because it has been custom-made, the original programmers may be needed to maintain the software and fix errors . Shareware This software allows the user to trial the program for a limited time before forcing them to buy the product or stop using it. For example, WinRAR is utility software that asks the user to buy the full version after 40 days. This allows the user to get a taste of what the software offers before choosing whether to buy it fully or not . Freeware This is software that is freely available to download and use . These are usually closed-source software that earn money through adverts or additional purchases. Rights to the software remain with the author despite the free access. App developers may release their app as freeware to allow users to try the software and then encourage them to purchase a full version with more features. Unlike shareware, the user should be able to keep using the product for free indefinitely, though their version may have features restricted or adverts enabled. Examples of freeware software include iTunes , Clash of Clans and Adobe Acrobat Reader (for PDFs). Embedded Software An embedded system is when a smaller computer system is installed within a larger device , such as a washing machine, traffic light or car. Embedded systems have a dedicated purpose and often run in real-time . Because of the small size, the embedded software will usually have memory and storage restrictions . Q uesto's Q uestions 2.1 - Software Types: 1. Describe the 7 types of software , listing the advantages and disadvantages of each. a. Open Source b. Closed Source c. Off-the-Shelf d. Bespoke e. Shareware f. Freeware g. Embedded [6 each ] 1.8 & 1.9 - Number Systems Topic List 2.2 - Applications Software

Learn about the factors that affect the performance of networks, as well as different types of network types such as LAN and WAN. Based on the J277 OCR GCSE Computer Science specification (first taught from 2020 onwards). 3.1a: Network Types & Performance Exam Board: OCR Specification: J277 Watch on YouTube : LAN & WAN Network Performance Client-Server Network Peer-to-Peer Network Star Topology Mesh Topology What is a network? A network is more than one computer system connected together allowing for communication and sharing of resources . Network Types Networks can be split into different types , usually categorised by their geographical distance apart and the area that they serve. Local Area Network Wide Area Network Client-Server Network Clients make requests to a server , the server manages that request and responds. For example, if the user (client) makes a request to access www.bbc.co.uk to a web server. Large services like Amazon and Google will need very powerful servers to handle millions of requests a second. The client is completely dependent on the server to provide and manage the information. The server controls network security , backups and can be upgraded to manage higher demand. Advantages: The network can be controlled centrally from the server to easily backup data and update software . Hardware, software and resources can be shared across the network, such as printers, applications and data files . The network allows for improved scalability , meaning more clients can be easily added to the central server . Disadvantages: Large amounts of traffic congestion will cause the network to slow down . If a fault occurs with the server then the whole network will fail . IT technicians may be required to manage and maintain the network . Malware , such as viruses, can spread quickly across the network. Peer-to-Peer Network For peer-to-peer networks , data is shared directly between systems without requiring a central server . Each computer is equally responsible for providing data. Peer to peer is optimal for sharing files that can then be downloaded. Disadvantages: Without a dedicated server there is no central device to manage security or backups . Backups must be performed on each individual system. Computer performance will decrease with more devices connected to the network, especially if other machines are slow. Advantages: This is a simpler network than client-server to set up as no server is required . Clients are not dependent on a server . Perfect for quickly sharing files between systems , such as downloading media files. A local area network (LAN ) has computer systems situated geographically close together , usually within the same building or small site , like a school or office . The network infrastructure of a LAN (such as servers and routers) is usually owned and managed by the network owner . A wide area network (WAN ) has computer systems situated geographically distant to each other, possibly across a country or even across the world . WANs often use third party communication channels , such as connections by internet services providers like BT or Virgin Media. Data Packets 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. What is a network topology? Network topology refers to layout of computer systems on a local network . Devices in a network topology diagram are often called 'nodes' . Two types of typology are star and mesh . Star Topology Each computer system is connected to a central device , usually a hub or switch . How it works: Each computer system is connected to the central hub or switch and transfers its data packets there. The hub or switch looks at the destination address and transfers the packets directly to the intended computer. Advantages: A star topology has improved security because data packets are sent directly to and from the hub / switch in the centre and not necessarily all devices like in a bus or ring topology. New systems can be attached directly to the central system so the network doesn't need to be shut down . System failures of attached computers won't usually cause complete network failure. Transfer speeds are generally fast in a star topology as there are minimal network collisions . Disadvantages: Extra hardware (the hub or switch) is required to be purchased, installed and maintained. If the central system (the hub or switch) fails then the whole network will be unusable until the error is fixed. Mesh Topology In a full mesh network, each computer system is connected to every other computer system . There is also a partial mesh network where only some nodes (e.g. a printer) are connected to every other node. How it works: Data packets are transferred to the destination address along the quickest path , travelling from node to node. If a pathway is broken , there are many alternative paths that the packets can take. Advantages: If one cable or system fails then data packets can take an alternative route and still reach the destination address. Because of the large possible number of systems and connections, a mesh topology can usually withstand large amounts of data traffic . New systems can be added to the network without disrupting the entire topology . Disadvantages: Because of the possibly large amount of cables required (especially in a full mesh topology) this network layout can be expensive to install and maintain . Redundant cabling should be avoided - this is when cables are connected between systems that won't ever need to communicate . Performance There are several different factors that can affect the performance ( speed ) of a network, such as: The bandwidth available * Interference (e.g. thick walls) Number of users at the same time Distance to travel / signal strength Number of data collisions Amount of data to transfer * Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can be sent across a network at once . Q uesto's Q uestions 3.1a - Network Types & Performance: 1a. Describe the difference between a LAN and WAN . [2 ] 1b. Give an example of how a LAN and a WAN could each be used . [ 2 ] 2 a. Describe how peer-to-peer networks and client-server networks function. 2b. Give one use for both types of network. 3. Draw and label diagrams of client-server , peer-to-peer , star and mesh networks. [8 ] 4. An office currently uses a star topology but is considering changing to a mesh topology . Describe two advantages and two disadvantages of both topologies. [ 8 ] 5. State five factors that could affect the performance of a network . [5 ] 2.5 - Compression 3.1b - Network Hardware & Internet Theory Topics

Learn about the eight rules of Boolean algebra expressions. Based on the 2020 Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE specification. 2.2: Boolean Algebra Exam Board: Eduqas Specification: 2020 Boolean algebra is used to simplify Boolean expressions so that they are easier to understand. Because calculations can use dozens of logical operators, they are simplified in Boolean Algebra using symbols rather than words. Take your time and don't panic. In an exam, you might get a list of identities (rules) to use. One tip to solving boolean algebra is to imagine that A and B are real expressions . In the examples on this page, imagine: A represents the true statement 'the sky is blue' B represents the true statement 'grass is green' 0 always means FALSE 1 always means TRUE Boolean Symbols A = NOT A A . B = A AND B A + B = A OR B Boolean Identities are the rules that are used to simplify Boolean expressions. Each identity (law) has an AND form and an OR form , depending on whether AND or OR is being used . Commutative Law AND form: OR form: This law just switches the order of the expressions . For example, 'sky is blue' AND 'grass is green' makes logical sense in either order. Idempotent Law = AND form: OR form: This law removes repetition . Complement Law NOT AND form: The sky cannot be blue and not blue at the same time, so it must be 0 (FALSE). OR form: The sky is blue or not blue must be 1 (TRUE) as it has to be one of these options. Identity Law AND form: 1 represents TRUE . Both statements are true so it can be simplified as just A . OR form: 0 represents FALSE . Because A is true, you can ignore the false statement and it can be simplified as just A . Annulment Law AND form: 0 represents FALSE . Even though A is true, a statement cannot be true and false at the same time, so it must be 0 (FALSE). OR form: 1 represents TRUE . Both statements are true so this can be simplified as just 1 (TRUE). Absorption Law AND form: OR form: Absorption law reduces a bracket into one value. If the first A is true then both values in the brackets are true but if the first A is false then both values are false. Therefore this equation relies entirely on A and can be simplified as just A . Association Law ( ) AND form: OR form: This law separates a bracketed expression that uses the same operator inside and outside the brackets by removing the brackets . Distribution Law ( ) = ( ) ( ) AND form: OR form: The value outside of the bracket (e.g. A) is multiplied by both values inside the brackets , forming two new brackets which are linked by the logical operator formerly within the bracket . Notice that the logical operator role is switched , e.g. AND switches from within the brackets, to between the new brackets. A note about distribution law - The three values may not necessarily be three separate letters (e.g. A, B and C) as B or C could be NOT A for example. A NOT value is considered a new value , e.g. A and Ā are separate values. Another note about distribution law - Exam questions may ask you to perform the distribution law (or any law) in reverse . For example, converting (A+B) . (A+C) into A + (B.C) Boolean Algebra Exam Question Some previous exam questions have listed helpful laws for you but others haven't, so you should know each individual law . In a previous exam, the candidates were given three general laws to help them . P, Q and R just represent three different values. P . 1 = P (Identity Law) P . Q + P . R = P. (Q + R) (Distribution Law) P + P = 1 (Complement Law) Using the rules above , candidates were asked to simplify the following expression : X = A . B + A . B The general laws have been give n to you for a reason. You need to look at the laws provided and see which one currently matches the expression in front of you . If you look closely in this example, the second law is very similar to the expression you are asked to simplify so you can use it to make the first simplification, just swap P for A, Q for B and R for NOT B: Using this law P . Q + P . R = P. (Q + R) X = A . B + A . B simplifies as: X = A . (B + B) Now you need to see which of the three provided laws can be used with the current expression . The third law is very similar to the expression you now need to simplify further , just swap P for B and NOT P for NOT B: Using this law P + P = 1 X = A . (B + B) simplifies as: X = A . (1) And finally, there is one law left to use. The first law is very similar to the expression you now need to simplify further , just swap P for A. Using this law P . 1 = P X = A . (1) simplifies as: X = A You have now used all three laws and the expression is fully simplified . Remember - Look at the laws that you have been given and see which law matches your expression . Q uesto's Q uestions 2.2 - Boolean Algebra: 1. Draw the example equations and write a brief description of each of the eight Boolean laws : Commutative Law Idempotent Law Complement Law Identity Law Annulment Law Absorption Law Associate Law Distributive Law 2. Below are three Boolean identities: P . P = 0 (P + Q) . R = (P . R) + (Q . R) P + 0 = P Using the three rules above , simplify the following expression: X = (A + B) . Ā This law is called ' Inverse Law ' in the Eduqas 2016 teacher guidance but ' Complement Law ' in the 2020 specification. This law is called ' Zero and One Law ' in the Eduqas 2016 teacher guidance but ' Annulment Law ' in the 2020 specification. This law is called ' Associate Law ' in the Eduqas 2016 teacher guidance but ' Association Law ' in the 2020 specification. This law is called ' Distributive Law ' in the Eduqas 2016 teacher guidance but ' Distribution Law ' in the 2020 specification. 2.1 - Logical Operators Theory Topics 3.1 - Network Characteristics

Learn about computational methods including problem recognition, decomposition, divide and conquer, abstraction, backtracking, data mining, heuristics, performance modelling, pipelining and visualisation. Based on the OCR H446 Computer Science A-Level specification. Exam Board: OCR A-Level Specification: Computer Science H446 3.1f - Standard Algorithms Watch on YouTube : Bubble sort Merge sort Insertion sort Quick sort Linear search Binary search Djisktra's algorithm A* algorithm The OCR A-Level course requires an understanding of algorithms used for sorting , searching and pathfinding including how they can be used for traversing and how to write them in pseudocode or a high-level programming langauge . Bubble Sort Bubble sort repeatedly compares adjacent items and swaps them if they are in the wrong order . Its advantage is that it is very simple to understand and easy to implement . However, it is extremely slow for large lists , with a worst- and average-case time complexity of O(n²) . It performs slightly better (O(n)) if the list is already nearly sorted and the algorithm is optimised t o detect no swaps . Overall, it is easy but inefficient . YouTube video uploading soon Merge Sort Merge sort is a divide-and-conquer algorithm that repeatedly splits a list into smaller sublists , sorts them recursively and then merges them back together . Its major benefit is that it is consistently fast with a time complexity of O(n log n) in the best , average and worst cases , making it very efficient for large datasets . It is also stable and works well with linked lists . However, a drawback is that it requires additional memory to store the temporary sublists , making its space complexity O(n) . Merge sort is therefore reliable but not memory-efficient . YouTube video uploading soon This page is under active development. Check here for the latest progress update. Insertion Sort Insertion sort works by taking each item and inserting it into the correct position in a growing sorted portion of the list . It is efficient for small or nearly sorted datasets and has a best-case complexity of O(n) , making it useful in real-time systems or hybrid algorithms . However, for large , randomly ordered datasets it becomes slow , with average- and worst-case performance of O(n²) . It uses very little memory space - (O(1) - which is one of its key benefits compared to more complex sorts like merge or quick . YouTube video uploading soon Quick Sort Quick sort is a divide-and-conquer algorithm that chooses a pivot , partitions the list into smaller elements and larger elements , and recursively sorts the partitions . Its main advantage is speed : the average-case time complexity is O(n log n) and it is often faster in practice than merge sort due to good cache performance and in-place partitioning . However, if poor pivot choices are made (e.g., always picking the first item in an already sorted list ), the worst case becomes O(n²) . Despite this, quick sort is widely used because good pivot-selection strategies minimise this risk . YouTube video uploading soon Linear Search Linear search checks each item in a list one by one until it finds the target value or reaches the end . Its benefit is that it works on any list (sorted or unsorted ) and is extremely simple to use and implement . The drawback is inefficiency for large datasets because its best , average and worst time complexity is O(n) . This means the time taken grows directly with the size of the list , making it suitable only for small collections of data . YouTube video uploading soon Binary Search Binary search repeatedly halves a sorted list to locate a target value , making it much faster than linear search . Its key benefit is efficiency : the time complexity is O(log n) for best , average and worst cases , meaning performance scales extremely well with large datasets . However, its major limitation is that the data must be sorted beforehand , and maintaining a sorted list can itself be costly . When this condition is met , binary search is one of the most efficient searching algorithms available. YouTube video uploading soon Dijkstra's Algorithm Dijkstra’s algorithm is a pathfinding algorithm used to find the shortest path from a starting node to all other nodes in a weighted graph with non-negative edge weights . It works by gradually exploring the graph , always choosing the next closest unvisited node , updating the shortest known distances to its neighbours and marking nodes as 'visited ' once the shortest path to them is confirmed . The algorithm continues until all nodes have been processed or the destination is reached , guaranteeing the shortest path . YouTube video uploading soon A* Algorithm The A* algorithm is an informed pathfinding algorithm that also finds the shortest path in a weighted graph , but it uses a heuristic (an estimate of the distance to the goal ) to guide its search more efficiently toward the target . A* combines the actual cost from the start to a node with a heuristic estimate of the remaining distance , allowing it to prioritise exploring nodes that appear more promising . YouTube video uploading soon Q uesto's K ey T erms Sorting Algorithms: bubble sort, flag, pass, merge sort, insertion sort, quick sort, pivot Seraching Algorithms: linear search, binary search, precondition Pathfinding Algorithms: Dijsktra's algorithm, A* algorithm, heuristic D id Y ou K now? Halo: Combat Evolved released on the Xbox in 2001 and introduced groundbreakingly convincing enemy AI for the time. Pathfinding algorithms were used more realistically than older games so that enemies wouldn't just run directly at the player but behaved in different ways depending on the situation , such as cooperating , flanking or retreating by reacting dynamically to the player . 3.1e - Data Structure Algorithms A-Level Topics

Learn about how data is input to an application to be converted and output as information. Covers types of data and information such as numbers, text, audio and images as well as the black box concept to show data flow in a diagram. Resources based on Unit F161 (Developing Application Software) for the OCR Cambridge Advanced Nationals in Computing (H029 / H129) AAQ (Alternative Academic Qualification). Qualification: Cambridge Advanced Nationals in Computing (AAQ) Certificate: Computing: Application Development (H029 / H129) Unit: F161: Developing Application Software 2.2 - Data Flow Watch on YouTube: Data vs Information Data Input Information Output Black Box Concept You need to know the difference between the terms 'data ' and 'information ' and how data is input to be converted to information as an output . There are specific types of input and output , including numbers , text , movement , audio and images . You need to understand how data and information flows through application software and can be stored . You must be able to represent data flow in a diagram using the black box concept . What You Need to Know Data and Information Data is raw , unprocessed facts and values , while information is data that has been processed and given meaning or context so that it is useful . Data is converted into information through processing , such as calculating , sorting , filtering , comparing or organising it. For example, individual test scores are data and then calculating the class average produces information . Data flows into an application through inputs , is processed and/or stored and then flows out as useful information through outputs . Data Processed to give meaning Information Data Input & Information Output 83 blue Numbers are numerical data entered into or produced by a system, including a whole number ( integer ) and decimal values ( real ). For example, entering a person's age , recording a temperature from a sensor or displaying a player's score . Text includes letters , numbers , symbols or words entered into or displayed by a system. For example, entering a username , typing a search query , displaying instructions or showing an error message . Movement is data about the position , direction or motion of a person or object , often captured using sensors or cameras . Examples include a phone detecting that it has been tilted , a fitness tracker detecting steps or a games console detecting controller movements . Audio is sound that is captured as input or produced as output by a system. Examples are speaking into a microphone for voice recognition , recording music , playing sound effects or receiving spoken directions from a navigation app . Moving images are a sequence of images displayed rapidly to create the appearance of movement , usually as video or animation . For example, recording video with a camera , watching a video tutorial , a video call or an animation in a game . Static images are single images that do not move , such as a photograph , drawing or diagram . Examples are taking a photo with a phone camera , scanning a QR code , displaying a logo or showing an image in an app. Storage Locations Black Box Concept The black box concept is a way of representing a system by focusing on what data enters the system , what is stored and what information leaves the system , without needing to understand the internal processes or any code . For example, consider a school quiz application : Flow-in is data that is entered into the system from an external source . Such as when a student selects an answer to a multiple-choice question , which is sent into the quiz application . Flow to storage is data that the system saves so that it can be accessed later . For example, the student's answer and score are saved to a database so their results can be viewed later . Flow-out is information that is sent out of the system to a user or another system , such as the quiz application displaying the student's final score on the screen. Flow In product choices & payment details Flow to Storage customer's order & account details Flow Out order confirmation & receipt Online Shopping System Storage See section 1.3 for information about the two main storage locations required for application software : on-site storage and cloud storage . Q uesto's Q uestions 2.2 - Data Flow: 1. Explain the difference between data and information , giving an example of each. [ 3 ] 2. Explain how application software can process data to turn it into useful information . [2 ] 3. Describe the following types of input/output data and give an example of each: number , text , movement , audio , moving images and static images . [2 each ] 4. Explain the black box concept and the terms flow in , flow to storage and flow out . [4 ] 5. Using an application of your choice , describe how data could flow into the application , be processed or stored , and flow out as useful information . [ 4 ] A controller isn't the only way to play a video game ! The Nintendo Wii and Nintendo Switch can use movement as input , music games like SingStar use audio from microphones , and the EyeToy on the PlayStation 2 used images from a connected camera . D id Y ou K now? 2.1 - Data Formats & Types Topic List 2.3 - Data States

Test your understanding of string and number handling techniques in Python. Try practice tasks and learn through text and images. Perfect for students learning GCSE Computer Science in UK schools. top Python - Section 9 Practice Tasks Task One It is the national hockey championships and you need to write the program for the TV channel showing the live games. Let the user enter the name of the first country that is playing. Then let the user enter the name of the second country . Shorten country 1 to the first two letters . Shorten country 2 to the first two letters . Bonus: Display the teams in uppercase . Example solution: Welcome to the National Hockey Championships!!! Enter the first country: Montenegro Enter the second country: Kazakhstan Scoreboard: MO vs KA G Task Two In some places, the letter G is seen as an offensive letter. The government want you to create a program to count how many times the letter G appears in a sentence . Let the user input any sentence that they like. You need to count how many g’s there are. Then print the number of g’s there are. Example solution: Enter your sentence: good day! great golly gosh, got a good feeling! There were 7 instances of that awful letter! Task Three A pet shop has just ordered in a batch of new dog collars with name tags. However, there was a mistake with the order and the tags are too small to display names longer than 6 characters . You need to create a program that checks the user’s dog name can fit. Let the user enter their dog’s name . Calculate the length of their name. Use an if statement to see if it is greater than 6 characters . If it is then print – Sorry but our dog tags are too small to fit that. Otherwise print – Excellent, we will make this dog tag for you. Example solutions: Welcome to 'Dogs and Cats' Pet Shop! What is the name of your dog? Miles Excellent, we will make this dog tag for you! Welcome to 'Dogs and Cats' Pet Shop! What is the name of your dog? Sebastian Sorry, our dog tags are too small! Task Four It’s literacy week and the Head of English would like you to create a vowel checker program to ensure that year 7s are using plenty of vowels in their work. Let the user enter any sentence they like. For each letter in the sentence that they have just entered you need to use if statements to check if it is a vowel . You will need to use the OR operator between each statement to separate them. After the for loop you need to print the number of vowels they have used. Example solution: Enter your sentence: Put that thing back where it came from, or so help me! You used 14 vowels in your sentence. Task Five Remember the national hockey championships? Well, the company that hired you just fired you… Never mind though, a rival scoreboard company want to hire you right away. You need to let the user enter two countries like last time. But this time you don’t want to calculate the first two letters, you want to print the last three letters . Example solution: Welcome back to the National Hockey Championships!!! Enter the first country: Montenegro Enter the second country: Kazakhstan Scoreboard: GRO vs TAN Task Six Too many people are using inappropriate names on Instagram so they have decided to scrap the username and will give you a code instead. The code is the 2nd and 3rd letters of your first name , your favourite colour and then the middle two numbers of the year you were born . Let the user input their name, then their favourite colour and then the year they were born. Using their data, calculate their new Instagram name! Example solution: Welcome to Instagram What is your name? Matthew What is your favourite colour? red Which year were you born in? 1987 Your new profile name is: ATRED98 Task Seven Copy the text on the right and create a program that will split the text at each full stop. Count the number of names in the list. Print the longest name. Example solution: The list contains 20 names The longest name is alexandria annabelle.clara.damien.sarah.chloe.jacques.mohammed.steven.rishi.raymond.freya.timothy.claire.steve.alexandria.alice.matthew.harriet.michael.taylor ⬅ 9b - Number Handling 10a - Open & Write To Files ➡

Navigate between all Unit 1 (Fundamentals of IT) topics in the OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT 2016 specification. OCR Cambridge Technicals IT Level 3 Unit 1: Fundamentals of IT These pages are based on content from the OCR Cambridge Technicals 2016 Level 3 IT specification . This website is in no way affiliated with OCR . This qualification stopped in July 2025. The pages on the site will remain for at least two years. LO1 (Computer Hardware ) 1.1 - Computer Hardware 1.2 - Computer Components 1.3 - Types of Computer System 1.4 - Connectivity 1.5 - Communication Hardware 1.6 - Hardware Troubleshooting 1.7 - Units of Measurement 1.8 & 1.9 - Number Systems & Conversion LO2 (Computer Software ) 2.1 - Types of Software 2.2 - Applications Software 2.3 - Utility Software 2.4 - Operating Systems 2.5 - Communication Methods 2.6 - Software Troubleshooting 2.7 - Protocols LO3 (Networks & Systems ) 3.1 - Server Types 3.2 - Virtualisation 3.3 - Network Characteristics 3.4 - Connection Methods 3.5 - Business Systems LO4 ( Employability & Communication ) 4.1 - Communication Skills 4.2 - Communication Technology 4.3 - Personal Attributes 4.4 - Ready for Work 4.5 - Job Roles 4.6 & 4.7 - Bodies & Certification LO5 (Issues & Security ) 5.1 - Ethical Issues 5.2 - Operational Issues 5.3 - Threats 5.4 - Physical Security 5.5 - Digital Security 5.6 - Data & System Disposal

Learn about arrays, records and SQL (structured query language) including the SELECT, FROM and WHERE commands. Based on the J277 OCR GCSE Computer Science specification (first taught from 2020 onwards). Exam Board: OCR Specification: J277 2.3: Additional Programming Techniques Watch on YouTube : String Manipulation File Handling Arrays Subprograms Random Numbers SQL This section of the specification includes programming topics that are outlined in 1.2 (Designing Algorithms). You must have an understanding of more complex programming techniques , such as how to manipulate strings , handle files and use subprograms . The best practice for learning is to try the tasks in the Python pages on this website (see the link to the right). Visit the Python section of CSNewbs ---> Subprograms What is a subprogram? Large programs are often broken down into smaller subprograms (also called subroutines ). Each subprogram focuses on a specific function of the code, helping to decompose a complex problem into more manageable chunks . Defining subprograms A subprogram is defined (identified) using the def command in Python. A program may use many subprograms , which are usually defined at the start of the code . Calling subprograms Running a line of code that includes the name of a subprogram will call (activate) it. When called , the program will run the subprogram code before returning back to the line that called it . Subprograms are only run when called , so depending on decisions made, a program may end without calling every (or any) subroutine. Parameters A parameter is a value that is passed into a subprogram when it is called , allowing the value to be used within the subprogram . A subprogram may not use a parameter , e.g. multiply() , or one parameter , e.g. multiply(num) , or several e.g. multiply(num1,num2) . Any parameters must be identified when the subprogram is defined , e.g. def multiply(num): Return The return command will send a value back to the line the subprogram was called on, allowing it to be used there . For example, the 'quad' subprogram in the example below returns the value of the 'result' variable back to the main program, allowing it to be printed . A subprogram will end either by reaching the last line of code within it, or when it reaches a return command . Subprograms that return a value are called functions . Subprogram example This subprogram is defined using the identifier 'quad ' with a parameter named number . The subprogram is called in the main program, multiplies the number passed in as a parameter by 4 and returns a value back to the main program to be printed. def quad (number): result = number * 4 return result #Main Program number = int ( input ( "Enter a number: " )) print ( "The number quadrupled is" , quad(number)) Enter a number: 5 The number quadrupled is 20 Functions and Procedures There are two types of subprograms . A function is a subprogram that returns a value , using the return command, which allows the value to be used in the line of code the function was called in. The 'divide' function below returns the value of the variable 'total' to the main program to be printed. A procedure is a subprogram that does not return a value . Example of a Procedure def multiply (num): total = num * 2 print ( "The number doubled is" , total) #Main Program num = int ( input ( "Enter a number: " )) multiply(num) Enter a number: 4 The number doubled is 8 Example of a Function def divide (num): total = num / 2 return total #Main Program num = int ( input ( "Enter a number: " )) print ( "The number halved is" , divide(num)) Enter a number: 9 The number halved is 4.5 Advantages of using subprograms Subprograms break a complex program down into smaller parts , making it easier to design and test . Each subroutine can be tested separately and abstraction can be used to simplify a complicated problem . Using subprograms allows code to be easily reused in other programs , as it has already been written , making it quicker to develop new programs or build on existing work. Using subprograms avoids code repetition , as they can be called as many times as necessary . This makes programs shorter and quicker to develop , making them easier to maintain and debug . Work can easily be split up between team members to work on different subprograms at the same time . Array An array is a static data structure that can hold a fixed number of data elements . Each data element must be of the same data type i.e. real, integer, string. The elements in an array are identified by a number that indicates their position in the array. This number is known as the index. The first element in an array always has an index of 0 . You should know how to write pseudo code that manipulates arrays to traverse , add , remove and search for data . The following steps use Python as an example, although Python does not use arrays and uses a similar data structure called a list (that can change in size as the program runs ). See the 8a and 8b Python pages for tasks on how to use lists . What Traversing an Array To traverse (' move through ') an array a for loop can be used to display each data element in order. Example code for traversing: Output: 'Inserting' a value In an array the size is fixed so you cannot insert new values, but you can change the value of elements that already exist. Overwriting the fourth element (Daphne) with a new value (Laura) will change it from Daphne to Laura. Example code for inserting: Output: 'Deleting' a value In an array the size is fixed so you cannot delete values, but you can overwrite them as blank . Overwriting the second element (Shaggy) with a blank space makes it appear deleted. Example code for deleting: Output: Searching an Array For large arrays a for loop is needed to search through each element for a specific value . This example checks each name to see if it is equal to Velma. Example code for searching: Output: Two-Dimensional Array Often the data we want to process comes in the form of a table . The data in a two dimensional array must still all be of the same data type , but can have multiple rows and columns . The two-dimensional array to the right shows the characters from Scooby Doo along with their associated colour and their species. Each value in the array is represented by an index still, but now the index has two values . For example [3] [0] is 'Daphne'. Unless stated in an exam , measure row first , then column . Searching a two-dimensional array: To print a specific data element you can just use the index number like Daphne above. To search for a specific value you will need two for loops , one for the row and another for the values of each row . The example to the right is looking for the value of ' Velma ' and when it is found it prints the associated data from the whole row . Example code for printing: Output: Example code for searching: Output: Records Unlike arrays, records can store data of different data types . Each record is made up of information about one person or thing . Each piece of information in the record is called a field (each row name). Records should have a key field - this is unique data that identifies each record . For example Student ID is a good key field for a record on students as no two students can have the same Student ID. A 2D array may be used to represent database tables of records and fields . SQL SQL (structured query language ) is a language that can be used to search for data in a database . The format of an SQL statement is: SELECT field1, field2, field3… FROM table WHERE criteria Example of an SQL statement using the Cars table: SELECT Make, Colour FROM Cars WHERE Miles > 1000 AND Age > 8 Cars table SQL uses wildcards which are symbols used to substitute characters . The * symbol represents ALL fields . Example: SELECT * FROM Cars WHERE Colour = “blue” < Click the banner to try a self-marking quiz (Google Form) about records and SQL. Q uesto's Q uestions 2.3 - Additional Programming Techniques: 1a. Describe what the following terms mean: subprogram , parameter , function , procedure . [ 2 each ] 1b. Describe three advantages of using subprograms . [ 6 ] 2. Describe the differences between a 1D array , 2D array and record . [ 3 ] 3. A one-dimensional array looks like this: TigerBreeds["Sumatran","Indian","Malayan,"Amur"] Write the code to: a. Print the element with the index of 3. [ 2 ] b. Change Indian to South China. [ 2 ] c. Remove the Amur element. [ 2 ] d. Search through the array for 'Malayan'. [ 2 ] 4a. Use the Cars table above to write the SQL statement to display the make and miles for cars that are grey OR blue . [ 3 ] 4b. Write an SQL statement to display all fields for cars that are 10 years old or less . [ 3 ] 2.2 Data Types Theory Topics 3.1 - Defensive Design

Learn how to input strings (text) in Python. Try practice tasks and learn through text and images. Perfect for students learning GCSE Computer Science in UK schools. top Python 2a - Inputting Text Inputting Text (Strings) in Python A string is a collection of characters (letters, numbers and punctuation) such as: “Wednesday” , “Toy Story 4” or “Boeing 747” . Use the input command to ask a question and let a user input data , which is automatically stored as a string . Variable to save the answer into. Give it a suitable name based on the input. name = input ( "What is your name? " ) = What is your name? Paulina Type your answer directly into the editor and press the Enter key. Statement that is printed to the screen. Leave a space to make the output look clearer. Once an input has been saved into a variable, it can be used for other purposes, such as printing it within a sentence : name = input ( "What is your name? " ) print ( "It is nice to meet you" , name) = What is your name? Jake the Dog It is nice to meet you Jake the Dog Always choose an appropriate variable name when using inputs. colour = input ( "What is your favourite colour? " ) print ( "Your favourite colour is " + colour + "? Mine is yellow." ) = What is your favourite colour? blue Your favourite colour is blue? Mine is yellow. Inputting Text Task 1 ( Holiday) Write an input line to ask the user where they last went on holiday . Write a print line that uses the holiday variable (their answer). Example solution: Where did you last go on holiday? Scotland I hope you had a nice time in Scotland Inputting Text Task 2 ( New Neighbour) Write an input line to ask the user for a title (e.g. Mr, Mrs, Dr). Write another input line for an object . Write a print line that uses both input variables (title and object ). Example solutions: Enter a title: Dr Enter an object: Fridge I think my new neighbour is Dr Fridge Enter a title: Mrs Enter an object: Armchair I think my new neighbour is Mrs Armchair Using a Variable Within an Input To use a variable you have previously assigned a value t o within the input statement you must use + (commas will not work). drink = input ( "What would you like to drink? " ) option = input ( "What would you like with your " + drink + "? " ) print ( "Getting your" , drink , "and" , option , "now...." ) = What would you like to drink? tea What would you like with your tea? biscuits Getting your tea and biscuits now... What would you like to drink? apple juice What would you like with your apple juice? cake Getting your apple juice and cake now... Inputting Text Task 3 ( Name & Game) Ask the user what their name is. Ask the user what their favourite game is. Use their name in the input statement for their game. Print a response with their name and the game they entered. Example solutions: What is your name? Rory Hi Rory, what's your favourite game? Minecraft Rory likes Minecraft? That's nice to know. What is your name? Kayleigh Hi Kayleigh, what's your favourite game? Stardew Valley Kayleigh likes Stardew Valley? That's nice to know. ⬅ Section 1 Practice Ta sks 2b - I nputting Numbers ➡

Learn how to create and use a simple graphical user interface (GUI) in Python. Try practice tasks and learn through text and images. Perfect for students learning GCSE Computer Science in UK schools. Python 11 - GUI Graphical User Interface In Python, you don’t have just to use a text display; you can create a GUI (Graphical User Interface ) to make programs that look professional. This page demonstrates the basic features of Python’s built-in GUI named tkinter . You can add images, labels, buttons and data entry boxes to develop interactive programs . Hyperlinked sections covered on this page: Setup: Title, Size & Background Creating Elements: Labels, Entry Boxes, Buttons, Images, Message Boxes Displaying Elements: Pack, Place, Grid Inputs & Outputs GUI Tasks Setup Setup: Title, Size & Background Firstly, import the tkinter command and set tkinter.Tk() to a variable such as window . GUI code can be quite complicated with multiple elements so it is sensible to use a comment for each section. Setting the title , size and background colour of your window is optional but can be easily set up at the start of your code. The .geometry() command sets the size of the window. The first number is the width , and the second number is the height . The .configure() command can be used to set the background colour . For a full list of compatible colours, check here . import tkinter #Setting up the Window window = tkinter.Tk() window.title( "Graphical User Interface" ) window.geometry( "400x400" ) window.configure(background = "lightblue" ) import tkinter #Setting up the Window window = tkinter.Tk() window.title( "Example Number Two" ) window.geometry( "300x400" ) window.configure(background = "darkorchid3" ) Creating Elements Creating Elements: Labels, Entry Boxes, Buttons, Radio Buttons, Images, Message Boxes Labels label1 = tkinter.Label(window, text = "Hello there" ) label1 = tkinter.Label(window, text = "Hello there" , fg = "black" , bg = "lightblue" , font = ( "Arial" , 12)) Simple label with default formatting: Label with custom formatting: No elements will appear in your window until you write code to put them there. See the 'Displaying Elements' section further down. Entry (Text) Boxes Simple entry box with default formatting: entry1 = tkinter.Entry(window ) Entry boxes will appear blank , the 'Example Text' shown in the images has been typed in. Entry box with custom formatting: entry1 = tkinter.Entry(window, fg = "blue" , bg = "gray90" , width = 12, font = ( "Arial" ,12)) Buttons The command property of a button is a subroutine that will be called when the button is pressed . The subroutine must be written above the button creation code. def ButtonPress (): #Code here runs when the button is pressed button1 = tkinter.Button(window, text = "Click Me" , fg = "black" , bg = "gold2" , command = ButtonPress) Radio Buttons The Radiobutton element is a multiple-choice option button . A variable needs to be created to track which option has been selected, in this example it is ‘choice ’. Each radio button needs to be linked to the variable and given a unique value (e.g. 0, 1, 2). The radio button with the the value of 0 will be automatically selected when the window opens . Although not shown below, the .set() command can also be used to select a specific radio button , e.g. choice.set(2) . choice = tkinter.IntVar() radio1 = tkinter.Radiobutton(window, text = "Breakfast" , variable = choice, value = 0) radio2 = tkinter.Radiobutton(window, text = "Lunch" , variable = choice, value = 1) radio3 = tkinter.Radiobutton(window, text = "Dinner" , variable = choice, value = 2) Message Boxes You need to import messagebox from tkinter before you can use message boxes . You only need to do this once in your program and it sensible to have it at the very start after you import tkinter (and any other libraries). from tkinter import messagebox tkinter.messagebox.showinfo( "Information" , "Welcome to the program!" ) tkinter.messagebox.showerror( "Error" , "There is a problem with the program." ) if (tkinter.messagebox.askyesno( "Warning" , "Have you understood the instructions?" )) == True : tkinter.messagebox.showinfo( "Warning" , "Thank you for understanding." ) else : tkinter.messagebox.showinfo( "Warning" , "Please read the instructions again." ) Yes / No Message Box Clicking Yes (True ) Clicking No (False ) Images Tkinter supports the image file types .png and .gif . The image file must be saved in the same folder that the .py file is. Resize the image in separate image editing software such as Paint to a specific size . Tkinter does not support all image file types, such as .jpg. Use an application like Microsoft Paint to save an image with a different extension like .png. photo1 = tkinter.PhotoImage(file = "hamster.png" ) photoLabel1 = tkinter.Label(window, image = photo1) An image can be turned into a clickable button rather than a label. def ButtonPress (): #Code here runs when the button is pressed photo1 = tkinter.PhotoImage(file = "hamster.png" ) button1 = tkinter.Button(window, image = photo1, command = ButtonPress) photo1 = tkinter.PhotoImage(file = "hamster.png" ) window.iconphoto( True , photo1) The icon of the window can be changed to an image . Displaying Elements: Pack, Place and Grid Pack .pack() puts the element in the centre of the window, with the next packed element immediately below. window.mainloop() should always be your last line of code in every program, after you have packed, placed or gridded your elements. Displaying Elements labelAdd.pack() buttonAdd.pack() labelMinus.pack() buttonMinus.pack() window.mainloop() Place The .place() command allows an element to be placed in specific coordinates , using x (horizontal ) and y (vertical ) axes. labelAdd.place(x = 25, y = 15) buttonAdd.place(x = 12, y = 35) labelMinus.place(x = 90, y = 15) buttonMinus.place(x = 83, y = 35) window.mainloop() Grid The .grid() command is used to create a grid system to set the row and column . Remember Python starts counting at 0 . You can use padx and pady to add extra space (x is horizontal , y is vertical ). labelAdd.grid(row = 0, column = 0, padx = 10, pady = 5) buttonAdd.grid(row = 1, column = 0, padx = 10) labelMinus.grid(row = 0, column = 1, padx = 10, pady = 5) buttonMinus.grid(row = 1, column = 1, padx = 10) window.mainloop() Inputs & Outputs Inputs and Outputs .config to Change an Element .config() overwrites the property of an element. It can be used with elements such as labels and buttons to change how they appear. label1.config(text = "Warning!" ) The example below (not showing setup and packing) adds 1 to a total variable when the button is pressed . Config is used in two ways: to display the updated total and to change the background of the label to green. def AddOne (): global total total = total + 1 labelTotal.config(text = total, bg = "green" ) total = 0 buttonAdd = tkinter.Button(window, text = "Add" , command = AddOne) Below is a similar program in full that increases or decreases and displays a total when the buttons are pressed . #Setup import tkinter window = tkinter.Tk() total = 0 #Button Presses def AddOne (): global total total = total + 1 labelTotal.config(text = total) def MinusOne (): global total total = total - 1 labelTotal.config(text = total) #Create Elements labelTotal = tkinter.Label(window, text = total, font = ( "Arial" ,14)) buttonAdd = tkinter.Button(window, text = "+" , width = 6, bg = "green" , command = AddOne) buttonMinus = tkinter.Button(window, text = "-" , width = 6, bg = "red" , command = MinusOne) #Display Elements buttonAdd.pack() buttonMinus.pack() labelTotal.pack() window.mainloop() .get to Input a Value .get() returns the value of an element such as an entry box , label or the choice variable if using radio buttons . The value of the element should be stored in a variable so it can be used elsewhere, for example: name = entryName.get() number = int (entryNumber.get()) Use int when getting a value that is an integer : The full program example below checks that the values typed into the username and password entry boxes are correct . Error Messages #Setup import tkinter from tkinter import messagebox window = tkinter.Tk() window.title( "Login" ) #Button Presses def CheckDetails (): username = entryUsername.get() password = entryPassword.get() if username == "Bob Bobson" and password == "cabbage123" : tkinter.messagebox.showinfo( "Success" , "Welcome " + username) else : tkinter.messagebox.showerror( "Invalid ", "Those details are incorrect." ) #Create Elements labelUsername = tkinter.Label(window, text = "Username:" ) labelPassword = tkinter.Label(window, text = "Password" ) entryUsername = tkinter.Entry(window) entryPassword = tkinter.Entry(window) buttonLogin = tkinter.Button(window, text = "Login" , command = CheckDetails) #Display Elements labelUsername.grid(row = 0, column = 0) entryUsername.grid(row = 0, column = 1) labelPassword.grid(row = 1, column = 0) entryPassword.grid(row = 1, column = 1) buttonLogin.grid(row = 2, column = 0) window.mainloop() .bind for Key Presses (& Close Window) .get() will run a specific function when a certain key is pressed. The name of the key must be surrounded by < > brackets and speechmarks . Any associated subroutine of a key bind will need a parameter : event has been chosen and set to None . The code below closes the window using the .destroy() command when the Esc key is pressed. def Close (event = None ): window.destroy() window.bind( "" , Close) The code below will activate the button (and display a message box) by clicking on it but also by pressing the Enter ( Return ) key . def ButtonPress (event = None ): tkinter.messagebox.showinfo( "Success" , "The button was activated" ) button1 = tkinter.Button(window, text = "Press Me" , command = ButtonPress) window.bind( "" , ButtonPress) GUI Tasks GUI Programs to Make Making a program using a GUI can be overwhelming and you must decompose the problem - take it step by step : Import tkinter and create the window (set the title, size and background colour). Create the elements you will need such as labels , buttons and entry boxes . Put the components in the window using pack , place or grid . Write the subroutines for any button presses . These are written at the top of the program after the window setup. Consider your variables - do any need to be set at the start ? Have you made them global if they’re needed within a subroutine ? Put window.mainloop() as the final line of code, only have it once. Use #comments in your code to break up the different sections, the key four sections are shown below. #Setup #Button Presses #Create Elements #Display Elements GUI Task 1 (Random Number Generator ) Generate a random number between 1 and 100 when the button is pressed and display it in a label. Extension idea: Use entry boxes to allow the user to manually input the minimum and maximum value. Example solution: GUI Task 2 (Currency Exchange ) Enter a decimal value and convert it from British pounds to American dollars. You can search for the current exchange rate. Extension idea: Show the conversion rate for other currencies such as Euros and Japanese Yen. Example solution: GUI Task 3 (Random Quote Generator ) Create a list of quotes and use the choice command from the random library to select one to be displayed in a label when the button is clicked. Extension idea: Have a separate text box and button to add more quotes to the list. Example solution: GUI Task 4 (Colour Changer ) When the button is clicked change the background colour of the button with .config to the RGB colour code in the entry box. This should be # followed by 6 hexadecimal values (0-9, A-F). Extension idea: Have an error pop up in a message box if the colour code is incorrect - it must be exactly 7 characters long and start with a hashtag. Example solutions: GUI Task 5 (Class Captain Votes ) Use radio buttons to vote for different candidates in a class vote. Use an if statement when the button is pressed to check which radio button is selected using .get() and the variable you've assigned to the radio buttons ('choice' if you've followed the code in the radio buttons section on this page). Use .config to overwrite a label's value. Remember any variables you want to use in subroutines must be globalised. Extension idea: Stop the count after a certain number - e.g. 30 votes recorded. Example solution: ⬅ Section 10 Practice Tasks 12 - Error Handling ➡

Learn how to create more HTML pages and link them together using the anchor tag. 10. More Pages HTML Guide Watch on YouTube: Create a New Page Create a new page by either clicking the new page icon in Notepad ++ or selecting File then New . Then you need to save your new page with an appropriate name as a HTML file . Create a new page, save it and add information to it. Your new page needs the same essential tags as your original page: Then you can add the rest of your content . Link to Other Pages The tag is used to link between pages , just like it is used to hyperlink to other websites. Make sure you type your web pages exactly as you have saved them. Make sure all of your web pages are saved in the same folder . Include links between pages on each new page. A link to the second page. Don't forget a link back to your homepage on each new page. Why not add more pages to make your website more detailed? 9. Colours & Fonts HTML Guide

Learn about different methods of wired and wireless connection methods including Bluetooth, satellite and microwave. Based on the 2016 OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT specification. 1.4 - Connectivity Exam Board: OCR Specification: 2016 - Unit 1 For computers to communicate with other devices and share data a form of connection is required. Wired Connections Copper Cables Copper cables are a cheaper type of wired internet connection that may be poorly insulated and therefore susceptible to electromagnetic interference . Copper cables are more likely to suffer from attenuation (network distortion ). However, they are malleable (easier to bend) and less likely to break than other cables such as fibre optic. They have a lower bandwidth - cannot transmit as much data at once - than fibre optic cables. Fibre Optic Cables Fibre optic cables are a very fast but expensive type of wired internet connection. Signals are transmitted as waves of light through a glass rod . Because of this fibre optic cables are not affected by electromagnetic interference and suffer less from attenuation . Fibre optic cables have a higher bandwidth - they can transfer more data at one time over a long distance than copper cables but they are more fragile . Wireless Connections Bluetooth Bluetooth is a temporary short-range communication between two 'paired ' devices within a limit of about 10 metres . The required close proximity is a disadvantage , however a plus is that no other hardware is required for a connection. An example is the pairing of headphones to a smartphone to listen to music. Infrared Infrared networks have largely been replaced by Bluetooth or WiFi connections because infrared networks require devices to be in direct line of sight . Infrared is still used by some devices, such as remote controls , to transmit signals to a TV, but it only works across short distances . Microwave Microwave connections use radio waves to send signals across a large area via microwave towers . It can transmit a large amount of data but antennas must be in the line of sight of each other with no obstructions . Microwave connections are affected by bad weather , leading to higher chances of attenuation (network distortion ). Laser Satellite GSM / 5G Although not common, laser connections can send data between devices that are in the line of sight of each other as long as there are no barriers . Laser connections can transmit data up to 2km but bad weather severely affects the transmission rate. Laser connections can be used in space as there are fewer barriers between the satellites. 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 (roughly 35,000km), there is a delay between data transmission and it being received. See 3.4 for more information on satellite networks . GSM (Global System for Mobile communications ) is a technology for allowing mobile phones to connect to a network for calls and text messages. Advances in mobile technology are classified by generations such as 4G and 5G (the current generation). Each generation is generally faster, more secure and allows for new opportunities. See 3.4 for more information on cellular networks . Q uesto's Q uestions 1.4 - Connection Methods: 1. Compare the differences between copper and fibre optic cables (possibly in a table) by the following features: a. Price b. Bandwidth c. Inteference d. Attenuation e. Malleability / Fragility [2 each ] 2. Describe each of the different types of wireless connection . Try to list 1 advantage and 1 disadvantage of using each type. a. Bluetooth b. Infrared c. Microwave d. Laser e. Satellite f. GSM / 5G [5 each ] 1.3 - Computer System Types Topic List 1.5 - Communication Hardware