Paper 1 · 1 h 45 min · 75 marks · 50% of IGCSE
Computer Systems
How computers represent, store and move data, the hardware and software that run them, the internet, cyber security and emerging technologies.
1. Data representation
- 1.1 Number systems: Binary number system, Hexadecimal number system, Hexadecimal uses, Binary addition and overflow, Logical binary shifts, Negative binary numbers
- 1.2 Text, sound and images: Character sets, Sound, Images
- 1.3 Data storage and compression: Data measurement, Calculating file size, Data compression
2. Data transmission
- 2.1 Types and methods of data transmission: Data transmission, Packets and packet switching, USB
- 2.2 Methods of error detection: Errors and parity checks, Checksums, Echo checks, Check digits, Automatic repeat query (ARQ)
- 2.3 Encryption: Encryption and symmetric keys, Asymmetric encryption, Cracking encryption (extension)
3. Hardware
- 3.1 Computer architecture: Von Neumann and the FDE cycle, Inside the CPU, Buses, Cores and clock speed, Cache, Instruction sets, Embedded systems
- 3.2 Input and output devices: Input devices, Output devices, Sensors
- 3.3 Data storage: Primary storage: RAM and ROM, Secondary storage: HDD and SSD, Off-line storage: optical, tape and flash, Cloud storage
- 3.4 Network hardware: NICs and MAC addresses, IP addresses and routers
4. Software
- 4.1 Types of software and interrupts: System and application software, Operating systems and user interfaces, How the operating system manages the computer, Interrupts
- 4.2 Programming languages, translators and IDEs: High-level and low-level languages, Assembly language and assemblers, Compilers and interpreters, Integrated development environments (IDEs)