Computer Systems

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Topics

Below you will find each of the Computer Science paper 1 topics broken down in alignment with the the CIE 0478 2023 - 2025 syllabus.  
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This page is a work in progress in preparation for the introduction of the 2023 syllabus. Pages will become available upon completion.

IF YOU ARE SITTING YOUR EXAM IN 2021 OR 2022 BE CAREFUL NOT TO CONFUSE ANYTHING THAT YOU MIGHT FIND HERE WITH YOUR SYLLABUS!

1. Data Representation

1.1 Number Systems

Topic	Theory
Binary Number System	Learn
Hexadecimal Number System	Learn
Hexadecimal Uses	Learn
Binary Addition & Overflow	Learn
Logical Binary Shifts	Learn
Negative Binary Numbers	Learn

1.2 Text, Sound and Images

Topic	Theory
Character Sets	Learn
Images	Learn
Sound	Learn

1.3  Data Storage and Compression

Topic	Theory
Data Measurement	Learn
Calculating File Size	Learn
Data Compression	Learn

2. Data Transmission

2.1  Types and Methods of Data Transmission

Topic	Theory
Data Transmission	Learn
Packets for Transmission	Learn
USB	Learn

2.2  Methods of Error Detection

Topic	Theory
Transmission Errors & Error Checking	Learn

2.3  Encryption

Topic	Theory
Encryption	Learn

3. Hardware

3.1 Computer Architecture

Topic	Theory
The CPU	Learn
​CPU Cores and Cache	Learn
Instruction Sets​	Learn
Embedded Systems	Learn

3.2 Input and Output Devices

Topic	Theory
Input Devices	Learn
Output Devices	Learn
Sensors	Learn

3.3 Data Storage

Topic	Theory
Primary Storage	Learn
Secondary Storage	Learn
Types of Storage	Learn
Virtual Memory	Learn
Cloud Storage	Learn

3.4 Network Hardware

Topic	Theory
Network Interface Card (NIC)	Learn
MAC Address (MAC)	Learn
IP Addresses	Learn
Routers	Learn

4. Software

4.1 Types of Software and Interrupts

Topic	Theory
Running Applications	Learn
Interrupts	Learn

4.2 Programming Languages

Topic	Theory
High / Low Level Languages & Translators	Learn

5. The Internet and Its Uses

5.1 The Internet and the World Wide Web

Topic	Theory
The Internet Vs WWW	Learn
URLs	Learn
HTTP & HTTPS	Learn
The Web Browser	Learn
Accessing a Web Page	Learn
Cookies	Learn

5.2 Digital Currency

Topic	Theory
Digital Currency	Learn
Blockchain	Learn

5.3 Cyber Security

Topic	Theory
Brute Force Attack	Learn
Data Interception	Learn
Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS)	Learn
Hacking	Learn
Malware	Learn
Phishing / Pharming	Learn
Social Engineering	Learn

Topic	Theory
Access Levels	Learn
Anti-Malware	Learn
Authentication	Learn
Responsible Usage	Learn
Firewalls	Learn
Proxy Servers	Learn
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)	Learn

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