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- 4.6 - Graphical Representation - Eduqas GCSE (2020 Spec) | CSNewbs
Learn about how images are represented in a computer system, including vector and bitmap graphics, file size, resolution, colour depth and metadata. Based on the 2020 Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE specification. 4.6: Graphical Representation Exam Board: Eduqas Specification: 2020 There are two main types of graphics used in computer systems: raster (also known as bitmap ) and vector graphics. Raster (Bitmap) Graphics Vector Graphics Raster graphics are made up of a grid of pixels . Vector graphics use objects (lines and curves ) to mathematically form shapes. If scaled to a larger size, a vector graphic does not lose any image quality . If scaled to a larger size, a raster graphic loses image quality . Raster graphics are generally larger in file size because data is stored for each pixel . Vector graphics are generally smaller in file size . Examples of raster images include photographs and screenshots. Examples of vector graphics include logos and cartoons. How to Calculate File Size File Size = Resolution x Colour Depth The resolution of an image is the width in pixels multiplied by the height in pixels. x The colour depth (also known as bit depth ) is the number of bits that are used to represent each pixel's colour . 1 bit represents 2 colours (0 or 1 / black or white). 2 bits will allow for 4 colours, 3 bits for 8 colours, 4 for 16 etc. A colour depth of 1 byte (8 bits ) allows for 256 different colours . Remember you must multiply the colour depth , not the number of available colours (e.g. 8 not 256). The RGB (Red , Green , Blue ) colour model uses 3 bytes (a byte of 256 red shades , a byte of 256 green shades and a byte of 256 blue shades ) that together can represent 16.7 million different colours. Example Height = 6 bits Resolution = height x width Resolution = 8 x 6 = 48 bits -------------------------- Colour Depth = 1 bit (only 2 colours) -------------------------- File Size = Resolution x Colour Depth File Size = 48 x 1 = 48 bits File Size in bytes = 48 ÷ 8 = 6 bytes File Size in kilobytes = 6 ÷ 1000 = 0.00 6 kilobytes Width = 8 bits Look carefully at the exam question to see if the examiner is expecting the answer in bits, bytes or kilobytes . Always calculate the file size in bits first then: Divide the file size in bits by 8 to convert to bytes . Divide the file size in bytes by 1000 to convert to kilobytes . Metadata for Graphics Metadata is additional data about a file . Common image metadata includes: Dimensions Colour depth Make Model Orientation Exposure time Metadata is important, For example, the dimensions must be known so the image can be displayed correctly . Metadata for a smartphone-taken picture: width in pixels, e.g. 720 height in pixels, e.g. 480 Q uesto's Q uestions 4.6 - Graphical Representation: 1. Describe three differences between raster (bitmap) and vector images . [ 6 ] 2. How many colours can be represented with a colour depth of... a. 1 bit [ 1 ] b . 5 bits [ 1 ] c. 1 byte [ 1 ] 3. How is the file size of an image calculated? [2 ] 4a. An image file has a width of 10 pixels , a height of 8 pixels and a colour depth of 2 . What is the file size in bytes ? [3 ] 4b. An image file has a width of 120 pixels , a height of 120 pixels and a colour depth of 1 . What is the file size in kilobytes ? [3 ] 4c. An image file has a width of 32 pixels , a height of 21 pixels and a colour depth of 1 . What is the file size in bytes ? [3 ] 5. State what is meant by metadata and give three examples of metadata for a graphics file. [ 3 ] 4.5 Character Sets & Data Types Theory Topics 4.7 - Sound Representation
- 11.1 - Impacts of Technology - Eduqas GCSE (2020 Spec) | CSNewbs
Learn about the cultural, environmental, ethical and legal impacts of technology. Based on the 2020 Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE specification. 11.1: Impacts of Technology Exam Board: Eduqas Specification: 2020 What are the issues created by technology? As the use of computers and technological devices continues to rise every year, this increase brings with it a range of different types of issues . Categories of issues described on this page include: Cultural issues Environmental issues Ethical issues Legal & Privacy issues Cultural Issues Culture relates to society and how different parts of the world vary in terms of computer and internet usage . The Digital Divide This term relates to the gap between those people who have access to modern digital technology (such as computers and the internet) and those who have limited access . 'Limited access' could be devices at home or shared devices or having lower-performance (cheaper) computers and low-speed internet connections. The digital divide can be seen in different ways , such as: People in cities vs. People in rural areas . Younger people vs. Elderly people. Developed countries vs. Developing countries. The digital divide is an important ethical issue because digital technologies have led to numerous international benefits including boosted growth , improved product delivery , enhanced communication and increased opportunities . However, this impact is uneven and these positive impacts are mostly occurring in technologically-advanced regions such as North America , Western Europe and Japan . Regions like some nations in Africa and Central Asia have limited digital infrastructure and government instability , leading to poor internet speeds , high costs and limited resources . Discussion Points: What do you think can be done to bridge the digital divide? Whose job is it to bridge the gap? Who will pay for the technology? Changes to Work The internet , the development of new technologies such as cloud storage and increased video communication have transformed the way that many businesses operate across the world. Staff may be able to work from home or access documents collaboratively outside of the traditional workplace, such as cafes or on public transport. Some jobs have moved abroad to save costs, such as help centres for online issues. Tasks can be outsourced to freelancers in other countries where people are content to be paid less for their time and services. For example, some companies will hire temporary web developers from countries such as India to work for them for a lower salary than local workers. Another change to work that technology has brought is the loss of jobs , especially low-skilled jobs such as factory workers that have seen their roles replaced by technology and automation . However, technology has also created millions of new jobs , including installing and maintaining the machines that replace other roles. Environmental Issues Environmental issues concern the natural world and the negative effects of producing , using and discarding computer systems and devices. Energy and Material Consumption In the past 30 years, the number of technological devices has increased astronomically and thousands of new devices are manufactured each day . These devices need to be assembled using a range of materials , including plastics , metals and some rarer elements and need a considerable amount of electrical power to run. Certain systems like web servers and data centres must be powered on all day , every day, which uses a large amount of energy . Pollution and Waste Generating the electricity to power computers creates pollution - an average PC could require up to 50% more energy per year than a fridge. Computers are difficult to recycle and discarded components can lead to land, water and air pollution due to harmful materials , such as lead and mercury , leaking into the environment. Smartphone trends are also negative for the environment as new devices are released yearly , with minor upgrades that people buy to appear fashionable and up-to-date. To lessen the environmental impact, people should reuse and recycle their devices. Ethical Issues Ethics relates to what is considered right or wrong . Often this is subjective - people may have differing opinions on the issue. Drones Uses of drones: Filming and photography for television, movies and special events. Monitoring pollution levels in the atmosphere. Tracking and monitoring wildlife , such as rhino populations in Africa. Disaster zone response , such as searching for survivors following an earthquake. Delivery companies are developing drones to quickly deliver goods across cities. Drones are used by the military to target sites in other countries, such as American soldiers deploying surveillance drones in Syria. Discussion Points: Should you need a licence to buy and fly a drone? Should drones be used to monitor the public? Like flying CCTV? Should drones be used to deliver items? Like Amazon packages? If a drone hits a plane and it crashes, what should the punishment be? A drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV ) that is remotely operated and can be used for a wide range of purposes. Self-Driving Cars Self-driving cars (also known as autonomous vehicles ) are currently in the development and testing stage with companies like Tesla and Amazon. Benefits of self-driving cars include: In theory, driving will be safer because cars are less likely to make mistakes that humans do and they can’t become distracted or tired . Self-driving cars should be more fuel-efficient because they take the most direct route to destinations and do not get lost. ‘Drivers’ in the car can perform other tasks instead of driving, such as work or planning. Autonomous vehicles could include trucks and vans to automate the delivery and freight industries . Trucks could drive overnight to deliver goods whereas currently, human drivers must take breaks every few hours. Drawbacks of self-driving cars include: Cars could still crash as code and software processes may fail. The technology is still in development and will be very expensive for the first few years when self-driving cars are available to purchase. Jobs may be lost such as delivery and truck drivers whose vehicles are equipped with self-driving technology. Other industries like motorway services and hotels may also be affected. Discussion Points: Would you trust a car to drive itself? Who is to blame if a self-driving car crashes? The car maker? The people in the car? The software writers? What should happen to the people whose jobs are taken by self-driving vehicles? Artificial Intelligence Artificial Intelligence (AI ) is the act of computers replacing humans to analyse data and make decisions . In recent years AI has become more common in the home and on devices like smartphones; assistants such as Siri and Alexa are prime examples of modern home AI. The weather today is cloudy. Benefits of AI include: Processes are sped up as computers can analyse large amounts of data much quicker than a human. AI can be used when a human is unavailable , such as using a symptom checker on the internet for a minor illness rather than booking and waiting for a doctor. Repetitive or time-consuming tasks can instead be completed by a computer , such as searching and sorting scientific data. Drawbacks of AI include: AI can store and process a lot of personal data , especially personal assistants like Alexa which are always listening for ‘wake words’. This data can be viewed by the company that develops it and could be hacked by attackers. AI is programmed by humans and mistakes in code could have disastrous consequences if the AI is used to make important decisions , such as military deployment. Discussion Points: If a robot harms a human who is to blame? The robot? The programmer? The manufacturer? Us? Would you trust a walking, talking robot assistant in your home? Should AI make decisions for us? Legal & Privacy Issues Legal and privacy issues regard laws that have been introduced by the UK government to protect data, systems and networks from unauthorised access . See 11.2 for explanations about important computing legislation in the UK. Loss of Privacy & Hacking There has been a lot of criticism in the last few years about how internet companies and governments are using personal data to invade privacy and track civilians . Facebook was involved in a scandal with using personal data for reasons that were not the original intention. In reverse, WhatsApp and Apple have been criticised for encrypting messages sent by terrorists that police have been unable to track and read. Every week a new company seems to announce that its data has been hacked . Attackers are constantly using botnets and infected systems to crack poorly secured databases and attempting to phish individuals for usernames and passwords. In the past few years, major hacking breaches include Sony, Yahoo and TalkTalk. Discussion Points: Should the UK government be able to see the websites you have visited in the last year? What should happen if a major company is hacked and bank details are stolen? Should they be fined? Pay customers? Prison? Should WhatsApp allow authorities to access encrypted messages? What if they know a terrorist is using it to communicate? Should the UK debate privacy laws before they go into place? Online Crime Unlawfully obtaining personal information and using it for identity theft or fraud . Harassment and threatening others on social media or private messages; blackmail . Cyber attacks are more common - see 3.8 for information about DOS attacks , IP spoofing , SQL injection and more. Sharing copyrighted material such as television programmes, music and video games. Distributing prohibited material such as drugs or weapons on the dark web. See 11.2 for explanations about different laws that have been created to tackle online crime . The increased popularity of the internet and the rising number of users has led to a wave of online crime , taking many different forms, including: Q uesto's Q uestions 11.1 - Impacts of Technology: Cultural Impacts 1a. What is the digital divide ? [ 2 ] 1b. Describe 2 examples of how the digital divide can be seen . [ 2 ] 2. Describe in detail 3 ways that technology has changed the way people work . [9 ] Environmental Impacts 1. Describe the different ways that the increasing use of technology negatively impacts the environment . [ 5 ] Ethical Impacts 1a. What is a drone ? [1 ] 1b. Make a list of all of the positive impacts and the negative impacts of using drones . You should have at least 3 on each side. [ 6 ] 2. Describe 2 benefits of using self-driving cars and 2 negative consequences . [4 ] 3. Describe how artificial intelligence can be used for good . [ 2 ] Legal & Privacy Impacts 1. A hack on a bank has occurred. Describe what you think the impacts would be on the following groups of people: a. The customers . b. The bank managers . c. The general public . [ 6 ] 2. Describe 4 different types of online crime . [ 8 ] 10.3 - Programming Errors Theory Topics 11.2 - Legislation
- OCR CTech IT | Unit 1 | 5.2 - Operational Issues | CSNewbs
Learn about operational issues including disaster planning, change management and data security. Based on the 2016 OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT specification. 5.2 - Operational Issues Exam Board: OCR Specification: 2016 - Unit 1 What are operational issues? Operational issues refer to potential problems that could disrupt the workflow and efficiency of an organisation . They relate to processes within an organisation and the way that the company operates on a daily basis . Security of Information Definition: Organisations must ensure that data is stored securely to minimise the chances of data loss , corruption or unauthorised manipulation . Having information stolen through a hacking attempt, for example, would negatively impact the company and its customers and possibly lead to consequences such as poor publicity , a loss of business and reputation , fines and bankruptcy . One principle of the Data Protection Act is that data must be stored securely . Organisations can use security methods such as firewalls , antiviruses or physical protection such as biometrics to keep personal information secure . Health & Safety Definition: Ensuring that employees, clients and visitors are physically protected on-site . The organisation should create a health and safety policy that staff need to read and possibly sign at the start of their work placement. The policy should include information about how to avoid injury when using the systems, how to safely maintain the equipment and whom to contact for help . Disaster & Recovery Planning Important data is often stored on a computer network, so a detailed and effective disaster recovery policy must be in place in case an unexpected disaster occurs. Disasters include natural disasters (e.g. fire, flood, lightning), hardware failure (e.g. power supply unit failing), software failure (e.g. virus damage) and malicious damage (e.g. hacking). There are three clear parts to a disaster recovery policy: Before the disaster: All of the possible risks should be analysed to spot if there are any weaknesses in preparation. Preventative measures should be taken after the analysis, such as making rooms flood-proof or storing important data at a different location . Staff training should take place to inform employees what should happen in the event of a disaster. During the disaster: The staff response is very important – employees should follow their training and ensure that data is protected and appropriate measures are put in place. Contingency plans should be implemented while the disaster is taking place, such as uploading recent data to cloud storage or securing backups in a safe room and using alternative equipment until the disaster is over. After the disaster: Recovery measures should be followed, such as using backups to repopulate computer systems. Replacement hardware needs to be purchased for equipment that is corrupted or destroyed. Software needs to be reinstalled on the new hardware. Disaster recovery policies should also be updated and improved . Organisational Policies Definition: Creating policies that outline acceptable computer and network use . Workplaces and schools often require people to sign an acceptable use policy ( AUP ) before being allowed to use the network . An AUP may include the philosophy of the organisation , rules for the personal use of IT resources and the consequences of breaching the policy . An AUP is similar to codes of practice from 5.1 . Change Management Definition: Change management is a formal approach by an organisation to lead a change in the way a business or project is run . This may include editing budgets , redefining expected deadlines , reconsidering how resources are used or changing staff roles . Advantages of change management: Reduces the likelihood of things going wrong during development. Creates a clear log of changes and improvements that are to be made. Allows changes to be approved and discussed before they happen. Formalises the process and sets out clear rules for changes . Disadvantages of change management: Can make the process of change more complicated . It can reduce the responsiveness of developers if everything must go through a formal process. It can be challenging to implement successfully. To work effectively, it needs everyone to follow the process . Scales of Change There are two main reasons why major change will occur in an organisation. Change Drivers Definition: Companies must change to stay up to date with the times and new technology . Change drivers are factors that force a business to change , such as: New legislation New competitors in the market New platforms (e.g. mobile technology and game consoles) to sell products on Economic changes Changes in business practice Social changes Change Needs Definition: Companies must change if the needs and focus of the organisation are altered over time . This reflects the changing needs of the business , often due to advancements in technology , such as: New equipment (e.g. replacing a slow network with a faster fibre optics network) Customer interaction (e.g.communicating with customers in new ways, such as social media apps) Workplace shifts (e.g. providing remote access for employees to access work and services at home) Q uesto's Q uestions 5.2 - Operational Issues: 1. Describe 3 possible consequences to an organisation if data is not stored securely . [6 ] 2. Describe the purpose of a health and safety policy and state 3 things that may be included in one. [4 ] 3a. Describe, giving specific examples , different types of possible disaster . [5 ] 3b. Describe the steps an organisation should take before , during and after a disaster occurs . [10 ] 4. Describe 3 things that may be included within an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP ). [3 ] 5a. What is change management ? Give 2 examples of when change management may be used. [4 ] 5b. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of a company deciding to implement change management . [8 ] 6a. Describe the difference between change drivers and change needs . [2 ] 6b. Describe 3 examples of change drivers and 3 examples of change needs . [6 ] 5.1 - Ethical Issues Topic List 5.3 - Threats
- Privacy Policy | CSNewbs
Computer Science Newbies Privacy Policy Updated 5th April 2025 1. Information Collected I do not collect any personal information from visitors as the website: Does not require users to create accounts. Does not process any transactions or collect payment details. Is intended solely for educational purposes, providing information about Computer Science. 2. Cookies and Analytics The Wix platform may automatically collect non-personal information such as: Your IP address Browser type Device information Pages viewed This is used for general site performance monitoring and visitor statistics. You can manage cookies through your browser settings. The following essential cookies are used on this site: RF-TOKEN (Used for security reasons during your session on the site.) hs (Used for security reasons during your session on the site.) svSession (Used in connection with user login.) SSR-caching (Used to indicate the system from which the site was rendered. Duration of 1 minute.) _wixCIDX (Used for system monitoring/debugging. Duration of 3 months.) _wix_browser_sess (Used for system monitoring/debugging during your session on the site.) consent-policy (Used for cookie banner parameters. Duration of 12 months.) TS* (Used for security and anti-fraud reasons during your session on the site.) Session (Used for system effectiveness measurement. Duration of 30 minutes.) fedops.logger.sessionId (Used for stability/effectiveness measurement. Duration of 12 months.) To learn more about cookies please visit All About Cookies . 3. Use of Information Any information collected automatically by Wix is used solely to: Improve the performance and content of the website. Ensure the website runs smoothly and securely. I do not sell, rent, or share visitor information. 4. Third-Party Services As the website is hosted on Wix.com, their privacy practices also apply. You can view the Wix Privacy Policy here . 5. Changes to This Policy I may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated date. 6. Contact If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact me at:
- OCR CTech IT | Unit 1 | 5.5 - Digital Security | CSNewbs
Learn about digital methods of protecting data such as anti-malware, firewall, usernames and passwords, levels of access and encryption. Based on the 2016 OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT specification. 5.5 - Digital Security Exam Board: OCR Specification: 2016 - Unit 1 ****** Usernames & Passwords Usernames must be matched with a secure password to minimise the chances of unauthorised users accessing a system. Passwords should contain a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters , punctuation and numbers . Passwords should be of a substantial length (at least 8 characters) and should be regularly changed . Digital Security Measures Firewall Firewalls (see 2.3 ) prevent unauthorised access to or from a network . Firewalls filter data packets and block anything that is identified as harmful to the computer system or network. Firewalls can also be used to block access to specific websites and programs. Encryption Encryption is the conversion of data ( plaintext ) into an unreadable format ( ciphertext ) so it cannot be understood if intercepted . Encrypted data can only be understood by an authorised system with a decryption key . Anti-Malware Anti-virus software (see 2.3 ) scans a system and removes viruses . If left to infect a system a virus could delete data or permit access to unauthorised users . Anti-spyware software removes spyware on an infected system so hackers cannot view personal data or monitor users. Organisations should install and regularly update anti-virus and anti-spyware programs. Permissions Permissions is the creation of different levels of file access so that only authorised people can access and change certain files . There are different levels of file access : No access Read-only Read/write Q uesto's Q uestions 5.5 - Digital Security: 1a. Describe why usernames and strong passwords are necessary. [2 ] 1b. State 3 rules for choosing a strong password . [3 ] 2. Describe the purpose of anti-virus and anti-spyware software. [4 ] 3. Describe the roles of a firewall . [4 ] 4. Explain what encryption is. [3 ] 5. What are permissions ? What are the 3 levels of access ? [5 ] 5.4 - Physical Security Topic List 5.6 - Data & System Disposal
- HTML Guide 9 - Colours & Fonts | CSNewbs
Learn how to use the style tags in an HTML document to edit the background colour and font text and colour. 9. Style (Colours & Fonts) HTML Guide Watch on YouTube: Before you add any colours or font styles, you need to add tags. The style tags must be written within your head of your HTML document! Add them below your title tags: Add the
- Python | 6a - For Loops | CSNewbs
Learn how to create and use for loops in Python. Try practice tasks and learn through text and images. Perfect for students learning GCSE Computer Science in UK schools. top Python 6a - For Loops Types of Loop The third construct of programming (after Sequence and Selection) is Iteration . If you iterate something, then you repeat it. There are two key loops to use in Python: for loops and while loops . A for loop is count controlled – e.g. “For 10 seconds I will jump up and down”. The loop will continue until the count (e.g. 10 seconds) has finished . A while loop is condition controlled – e.g. “While I am not out of breath, I will jump up and down.” The loop will continue as long as the condition remains true . Simple For Loops (1 Range Value) for i in range (5): print ( "This is a loop!" ) This is a loop! This is a loop! This is a loop! This is a loop! This is a loop! for i in range (8): print ( "Jaffa Cakes aren't biscuits" ) Jaffa Cakes aren't biscuits Jaffa Cakes aren't biscuits Jaffa Cakes aren't biscuits Jaffa Cakes aren't biscuits Jaffa Cakes aren't biscuits Jaffa Cakes aren't biscuits Jaffa Cakes aren't biscuits Jaffa Cakes aren't biscuits The i is a count variable , it is used to measure each iteration (turn) of the loop. In the range brackets write the number of times to loop the indented code. Don’t forget the colon at the end and remember that everything you want to repeat must be indented (press tab key once). For Loops Task 1 (Repeat Your Name ) Example solutions (shortened): Create a simple for loop that prints your name twenty times. For Loops Task 2 (Are We There Yet? ) Christopher Christopher Christopher ... Create a simple for loop that prints the sentence 'Are we there yet?' 150 times. Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? ... Counting Using i (2 Range Values) For loops can be used to count by referring to the iteration inside the loop itself using i : for i in range (5): print ( "Loop number" , i) Loop number 0 Loop number 1 Loop number 2 Loop number 3 Loop number 4 for i in range (1,6): print ( "Loop number" , i) Loop number 1 Loop number 2 Loop number 3 Loop number 4 Loop number 5 There are two important things to know about how Python counts using for loops. Python will automatically start counting at 0 rather than 1. The second value in the range is an exclusive limit - it will stop 1 before this value. For example, if you wanted to count 1 to 10 you would need to write range(1,11) . For Loops Task 3 (100 to 150 ) Create a for loop that prints all numbers from 100 to 150 . You don't need to print any additional text, just the i variable. Example solution (shortened): 100 101 102 ... ... 148 149 150 Using a Step (3 Range Values) A third value can be added to the range brackets of a for loop to define a step . A step is the number to go up (or down ) with each iteration . for i in range (2,11,2): print ( i) 2 4 6 8 10 for i in range (18,0,-3): print ( i) 18 15 12 9 6 3 In most programs defining a step is not essential , Python will assume it is +1 if you don't include it. For Loops Task 4 (Even Numbers 10 to 30 ) Example solution for Task 4 (shortened): Create a for loop that prints all even numbers from 10 to 30 . Use a step . For Loops Task 5 (Countdown ) Use a for loop with a negative step to print a countdown from 10 to 1 . 10 12 14 ... ... 26 28 30 Using Variables with For Loops Variables can be used to make for loops suitable for a range of different purposes. loopnum = int ( input ( "Times to repeat: " )) for i in range (loopnum): print ( "Hello!" ) Times to repeat: 4 Hello! Hello! Hello! Hello! The loop above uses a variable in the range brackets to repeat the loop the specific number of times that the user enters . loopnum = int ( input ( "Times to repeat: " )) word = input ( "Word to repeat: " ) for i in range (loopnum): print (word ) Times to repeat: 3 Word to repeat: velociraptor velociraptor velociraptor velociraptor The loop above uses two variables that are input by the user ; one to define the range and another that is printed . For Loops Task 6 (Many Happy Birthdays ) Example solution for Task 6 (shortened): Ask the user to input their age then print 'Happy Birthday! ' that many times. For Loops Task 7 (House Number and Name ) Ask the user to enter their house number (e.g. 15 if they lived at 15 Cherry Road) and their name . Print their name as many times as their house number . For example, if Hannah lived at 103 Apple Lane then Hannah would be printed 103 times . Enter your age: 5 Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! ⬅ Section 5 Practice Task s 6 b - While Loops ➡
- OCR CTech IT | Unit 1 | 2.7 - Protocols | CSNewbs
Learn about the different protocols used to transfer data across a network, including TCP/IP, FTP, SMTP and Ethernet. Based on the 2016 OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT specification. 2.7 - Protocols Exam Board: OCR Specification: 2016 - Unit 1 What is a protocol? A protocol is a set of rules that allow devices on a network to communicate with each other . Protocols to Transfer Data: TCP / IP / UDP TCP ( Transmission Control Protocol ) breaks data down into small packets to be transferred across a network and reorders them back into the original data at the destination . TCP checks for errors when sending data packets, which makes it slower than UDP for data transfer, but it guarantees that no packets have been lost on the way. IP ( Internet Protocol ) is in charge of routing and addressing data packets to ensure data is transferred across networks to the correct destination . It is also an addressing system - every device on a network is given a unique IP address . TCP and IP are often used together to transfer data across the internet. UDP ( User Data Protocol ) is a faster alternative to TCP for transferring data. It is used where low latency ('low lag') is important, such as online gaming and video chat . However, UDP does not automatically check for errors so packets are more likely to be lost or received out of order . HTTP is a protocol that can be used to transfer web pages on the world wide web so that users can view them in a web browser . All URLs start with either HTTP or HTTPS (e.g. https://www.csnewbs.com ). HTTPS is a more secure version of HTTP that works with another protocol called SSL (Secure Sockets Layer ) to transfer encrypted data . You should see a padlock symbol in the URL bar if your connection to that website is secure. HTTP/HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) FTP (File Transfer Protocol) FTP ( File Transfer Protocol ) is used to transfer files across a network. It is used most often to upload or download files to/from a file server . ICMP ( Internet Control Message Protocol ) collects network status information (such as router errors) and is used for troubleshooting . SNMP ( Simple Network Management Protocol ) is a protocol that records network statistics , such as router usage . Network Management Protocols Email Protocols SMTP ( Simple Mail Transfer Protocol ) is a protocol used to send emails to a mail server and between mail servers . POP ( Post Office Protocol ) is for downloading and storing emails from a mail server. TCP/IP Protocol Stack The TCP/IP protocol stack is a model split into 4 layers . The model is used to visualise the different parts of a network as each of the four layers has a specific role . Splitting a network design into layers is beneficial to programmers as it simplifies design , making it easier to modify and use . Each layer has a certain purpose and is associated with different protocols . 4 Allows humans and software applications to use the network e.g. browsers (HTTP /HTTPS ), email (SMTP / POP ), file transfer (FTP ) and network management (SNMP ) applications. 3 TCP breaks the data down into data packets . This layer makes sure the data is sent and received in the correct order and reordered at the destination without errors. UDP can also be used for faster , but less reliable , data transfer . 2 The network layer is also known as the ' Internet Layer '. IP is responsible for addressing and routing data packets . The optimal route for the data to take is calculated in this layer. ICMP may be used here for network monitoring . 1 This layer handles transmission errors and passes data to the physical hardware such as routers . It also sets out the final format of data packets . Q uesto's Q uestions 2.7 - Protocols: 1. Describe each of the following protocols . Also, state the protocol's full name and draw an icon or diagram for each: a. TCP b. IP c. UDP d. HTTP & HTTPS e. FTP f. ICMP g. SNMP h. SMTP i. POP [1 each ] 2. State which protocol would be used in the following scenarios: a. Transferring a music file to a friend over the internet. b. Sending an email to a friend in Japan. c. Checking for errors on a network. d. Having a video call with a colleague in London. e. Receiving an email from the bank. f. Watching a video on YouTube. g. Checking the statistics of usage on a network [1 each ] 3. Summarise each layer of the TCP/IP stack and identify the protocols used in each layer . [ 8 ] 2.6 - Software Troubleshooting Topic List 3.1 - Server Types
- 5.1 - Data Types & Sources | Unit 2 | OCR Cambridge Technicals | CSNewbs
Learn about the different types of data and information sources. Based on the 2016 OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT specification for Unit 2 (Global Information). 5.1 - Data Types & Sources Exam Board: OCR Specification: 2016 - Unit 2 Sources of Information Internal Source Information that comes from within an organisation , such as financial reports, data analysis or employee surveys. External Source Information that comes from outside of an organisation , such as government reports, financial data of competitors or price lists from suppliers. Types of Data Primary Data Data that has been created and collected by yourself or another employee within an organisation . For example, interviews or questionnaires sent within the company. Secondary Data Data that has been created and collected by someone outside of the organisation , such as national census data collected by the government or surveys taken by a competitor. Some secondary data may need to be purchased . Qualitative Data This is descriptive data , often composed of text , that can be observed but not measured . For example, survey responses where customers are asked why they visit a particular shop. Quantitative Data This is measured data , often in the form of numbers , percentages or statistics . For example, survey responses of the amount of time it takes to reach a shop. Q uesto's Q uestions 5.1 - Data Types & Sources: 1. A supermarket wants to find out how many of their customers have bought peaches this year compared to customers at a rival shop . Describe data that they could use for each of the source and data types below (e.g. stock information for peaches in the supermarket would be an internal source of information). Internal source External source Primary data Secondary data Qualitative data Quantitative data [6 ] "Why do you visit this supermarket?" 'Because it is close to home.' 'I like the easy access to parking.' 'I've always gone here.' "How many minutes does it take you to get here ?" 10 25 30 4.3 - Green IT Topic List 5.2 - Data Flow Diagrams
- 10.2 - Stages of Compilation - Eduqas (2020 Spec) | CSNewbs
Learn about the six stages of compilation - lexical analysis, symbol table construction, syntax analysis, semantic analysis, code generation and code optimisation. Based on the 2020 Eduqas (WJEC) GCSE specification. 10.2: Stages of Compilation Exam Board: Eduqas Specification: 2020 A compiler translates source code (high-level language written by a programmer) into machine code in five separate stages : 1. Lexical Analysis The term 'lexical' refers to words and phrases . Source code needs to be broken down into tokens that can later be analysed. In lexical analysis: Spaces and comments are removed from the code. Identifiers , keywords and operators are replaced by tokens . A token is similar to a variable with a name and a value . A symbol table is created. T his table stores the addresses of all variables , labels and subroutines used in the program. 2. Syntax Analysis The term 'syntax' refers to sentence structure . In syntax analysis: The tokens created in the first stage are checked to see if they follow the syntax (spelling and grammar ) rules of the programming language. This process is called ' parsing ' . During parsing, if a syntax error is found then an error message is displayed and compilation stops . 3. Semantic Analysis The term 'semantic' refers to logic . Variables are checked in this stage to ensure they are used correctly: Variable checks ensure they are correctly declared and use a valid data type (for example integers are not assigned to decimal values). Operation checks ensure they are correct for the data type used ( for example dividing a number must result in an real value ). 4. Code Generation The machine code (data in a binary format ) is generated . 0010 1011 0101 0101 0110 0111 0101 0001 0101 0101 0101 0110 5. Code Optimisation The code is optimised so it is fast , efficient and uses as little of the computer's resources as possible. Q uesto's Q uestions 10.2 - Stages of Compilation: 1 a. List the 6 stages of compilation in order . [6 ] 1b. Create a poster or flowchart describing each of the 6 stages of compilation : 1. Lexical Analysis 2. Symbol Table Creation 3. Syntax Analysis 4. Semantic Analysis 5. Code Generation 6. Code Optimisation [ 10 total ] 10.1 - Translators Theory Topics 10.3 - Programming Errors
- 6.1 - Security Principles | Unit 2 | OCR Cambridge Technicals | CSNewbs
Learn about the three principles of information security - confidentially, integrity and availability. Based on the 2016 OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT specification for Unit 2 (Global Information). 6.1 - Security Principles Exam Board: OCR Specification: 2016 - Unit 2 There are three key principles of data security that are protected in legislation such as the Data Protection Act (2018 ). Organisations storing personal or sensitive information must ensure that these three principles are upheld at all times . Confidentiality What it means: Information should only be accessed by individuals or groups with the authorisation to do so. How to uphold this principle: An organisation should use protection measures like usernames and passwords to ensure that only authorised people can access the sensitive data. Tiered levels of access or permissions can also limit who has access to the data. Integrity What it means: Information is maintained so that it is up-to-date , correct and fit for purpose . How to uphold this principle: Organisations should carry out regular data maintenance to update information (e.g. confirm contact details once a year). If storing data in a spreadsheet or database, record-locking should be used so that only person can edit at a time, preventing the data from becoming incorrect. Availability What it means: Information is available to the individuals or groups that need to use it. It should only be available to those who are authorised . How to uphold this principle: Staff should have the correct privileges so that they can easily access data when required. Data could be stored online , e.g. cloud storage so that it is available remotely using an internet connection. Data must also be kept safe from unauthorised access . Staff should not make additional copies of information which could be lost or stolen. Q uesto's Q uestions 6.1 - Security Principles: 1a. Describe what is meant by ' confidentiality ' . [1 ] 1b. Explain two ways that an organisation can keep data confidential . [4 ] 2a. Describe what is meant by ' integrity ' . [1 ] 2b. Explain two ways that an organisation can preserve the integrity of its data . [4 ] 3a. Describe what is meant by ' availability ' . [2 ] 3b. Explain two ways that an organisation can keep its data available . [4 ] 5.2 - Data Flow Diagrams Topic List 6.2 - Risks
- OCR CTech IT | Unit 1 | 1.3 - Computer System Types | CSNewbs
Learn about six different types of computer system including embedded, mainframe and quantum. Based on the 2016 OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 IT specification. 1.3 - Computer System Types Exam Board: OCR Specification: 2016 - Unit 1 Different types of computer system are available to purchase and use, each with their own benefits , drawbacks and typical functions . Desktop A computer suitable for use at an ordinary desk. They are bulky and not so easy to move . Individual components (e.g. graphics card) can be upgraded over time . Desktops are versatile , they allow the user to carry out a range of activities , including document creation, data manipulation, game playing, design and communication facilities for personal or business purposes. Tablet / Laptop A small and portable type of computer. Many modern laptops can also fold back , effectively turning them into a tablet with a screen-based virtual keyboard . They can perform many of the functions of the traditional PC, but the screen size can be restrictive , especially if several documents need to be open at the same time. Because it can be transported through public spaces, loss or theft is more likely. Smartphone Embedded Systems Smartphones can be used to run a range of applications including email, social media, videos and music. However, they can negatively affect social interaction (e.g. by using them and ignoring people around you) and reduce spatial awareness when being used. Security is another issue as they can be easily lost or stolen . Security software for phones is not as secure as other computer systems so sensitive data should not be held on smartphones. 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 . The internet of things (IoT) describes a global network of connected objects that were previously 'dumb', such as smart bulbs, smart plugs and thermostats. Mainframe Mainframes are huge and very powerful computers that are reliable . Mainframes are used to process large amounts of data and can be used to solve scientific and engineering problems that require complex calculations with large datasets (e.g. weather forecasting or scientific simulations). Mainframes are reliable and secure because they have large backup capabilities . Mainframes are very expensive and require teams of experts to oversee them, and so are used only by organisations that need to process very large amounts of data quickly, such as banks and airlines . Quantum These are still experimental and in development . They work with quantum bits ( qubits ), which, unlike binary, are not limited to just two states (0 or 1). Qubits represent atomic particles, which can be in several different states at the same time . A fully working quantum computer would potentially be able to process data and perform calculations millions of times faster than currently available computers. Q uesto's Q uestions 1.3 - Computer System Types: 1. For each type of computer system , make a list of benefits , drawbacks and possible uses . a. Desktop [6 ] b. Tablet / Laptop [6 ] c. Smartphone [6 ] d. Embedded System [6 ] e. Mainframe [6 ] f. Quantum Computer [6 ] 2. Suggest and justify which type of computer system is most suitable for the following scenarios: a. Updating a spreadsheet while on a train. [3 ] b. Forecasting the next week’s weather. [3 ] c. A PE teacher recording sports day race times. [3 ] d. Playing a new video game on maximum settings. [3 ] 1.2 - Computer Components Topic List 1.4 - Connectivity











