This AQA GCSE Computer Science Revision Passport contains the full content of the specification answering all of the specification - covers from Cloud Storage all the way to Data Compression. These notes will also contain advantages, disadvantages, diagrams and explanations of topics and will be bu...
SE
C
G
Computing Revision
ns
GCSE - Full Content
io
pt
rO
te
as
M
1
, Explain the terms hardware and software ● Hardware are the physical aspects of a computer
system that can be touched
● Software are programs, written to run on a
computer system, includes programs that can
control and use the hardware.
● Hardware is the physical components of a system
whereas software is code that runs on the
hardware
Types of software ● Application software
SE
○ Application software enables the user to
carry out productive tasks
○ E.g web browser, word processor, video
editing, spreadsheet
● System software
○ Set of computer programs that are
designed to manage the computer
system
C
○ Includes the OS and utility software
○ The OS is essential for the hardware to
run and for the user to interact with the
system
G
Operating systems ● Operating system is the software that is used to
manage the hardware within a computer system
● Examples include e.g microsoft windows, Mac OS,
ns ●
●
android
Operating system is a link between the hardware
and the software
Functions of an operating system include:
○ Managing the human-computer
io
interface
○ Moving data to and from secondary
storage and file management
○ Sharing memory between software
○ Scheduling the processor and
pt
multitasking of software
Utility programs ● Utilities are software tools that complement the
operating system in managing the smooth running
rO
of the computer system
○ Encryption
■ Software scrambles a file so
that if it is accessed by an
unauthorised user it can't be
understood
○ Anti-spam
te
■ Software attempts to reduce
the amount of unwanted
emails received by an email
client
○ Backup
as
■ Utilities make automatic
backups of files and disks
○ Defragmentation
■ Utilities reorganise the data
stored on a disk so that large
data files and program files
M
are kept together rather than
spread out across a data
■ Speeds up data access
speeds
○ File compression
■ Utilities make files smaller in
size so that more can be fitted
onto a storage medium or to
make data transmission
2
, ● Describe two different functions performed by an
operating system.
○ Memory management
■ Manages the computer's
memory
■ Schedules which processes
are to be executed
○ Processor management
■ Manage the computer's
processors (CPU)
■ Schedules which processes
SE
are to be executed
○ Managing storage
■ Manage secondary storage
devices
■ Loading data and programs
into the computer's memory
■ Storage space management
C
Explain the ‘Von Neumann architecture’ ● Identified that data and programs could be stored
in the same memory
● Means only one set of RAM is required for storing
G
both data and programs
● Don't need two separate sets of memory
Explain the role and operation of main memory and the ● ALU
ns following major components of a central processing unit
(CPU):
•
•
•
arithmetic logic unit
control unit
clock
● CU
○
○
Manages the execution of instructions
Makes sure that all the components
perform their tasks at the correct time
io
○ FDE Cycle
• bus ● Clock
○ Signal that synchronises tasks
○ Clock cycle
○ Each tick of clock CPU processes one
pt
or more instructions
○ More clock speed more faster
instructions processed
● Bus
○ The CPU includes system bus
rO
○ Set of wires connecting (CPU,Memory,
I/O)
○ Data bus (instructions and data items)
○ Control bus (control signals)
○ Address (memory addresses)
te
as
M
Explain the effect of the following on the performance of
the CPU:
● Clock speed
• clock speed
○ Number of clock cycles per second
• number of processor cores ○ More times a second the clock ticks,
• cache size more instructions carried per second
○ Overclocking (cause overheat and some
• cache type processes not being completed before
next instruction is started)
● Number of processor cores
○ A core is the processing unit which
3
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller MasterOptionsGCSE. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £12.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
