GCSE Computer Science AQA

This subject is broken down into 87 topics in 14 modules:

  1. Algorithms 5 topics
  2. Fundamentals of Algorithms 4 topics
  3. Design, Testing and Translation 5 topics
  4. Programming 23 topics
  5. Data Representation 10 topics
  6. Fundamentals of Data Representation 8 topics
  7. Components of a Computer System 7 topics
  8. Computer Systems 5 topics
  9. Fundamentals of Computer Networks 4 topics
  10. Networks 5 topics
  11. Cyber Security 5 topics
  12. Issues 3 topics
  13. Relational Databases and SQL 2 topics
  14. Impacts of Digital Technology 1 topics
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  • 14
    modules
  • 87
    topics
  • 29,203
    words of revision content
  • 3+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Computer Science

Algorithms

Computational Thinking

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Computational Thinking

  • "Computational Thinking" is a key aspect of computer science and deals with solving problems, designing systems, and understanding human behaviour.
  • It comprises of four main techniques: decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithms.
  • Decomposition involves breaking down a complex problem or system into smaller, more manageable parts.
  • Pattern Recognition is the identification of similarities or patterns that can be used to solve problems more easily.
  • Abstraction focuses on the important information only, ignoring irrelevant details to simplify the problem and solution.
  • Algorithms are step-by-step instructions created to solve problems and accomplish a task.
  • All four techniques are interchangeable and often used together to solve complex problems.
  • Understanding these techniques helps in designing effective algorithms.
  • These techniques have applications not only in computer science but also in other fields such as biology, business and physics.
  • To be competent in 'computational thinking', the ability to analyse a problem, recognise patterns, abstract from the details and write an algorithm should be possible.
  • The quality of an algorithm can be measured by its efficiency (how quickly it solves the problem) and correctness (the accuracy of its solutions).
  • Valuing Computational Thinking in computer science means placing importance on problem solving rather than learning specific software tools or programming languages.
  • Challenges in Computational Thinking encourages thinking about the different ways that problems can be solved and help improve the development of algorithms.
  • Larger problems often require algorithms to work together. This can involve using decomposed parts of the problem, recognising patterns between them, and using these to create a solution.

Course material for Computer Science, module Algorithms, topic Computational Thinking

Computer Science

Data Representation

Hexadecimal Numbers

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Hexadecimal Numbers

  • Hexadecimal numbers are a base 16 numeric system, using numbers 0-9 and letters A-F to represent values.
  • The digits 0-9 in hexadecimal represent the same values as they do in decimal. For values from 10 to 15, the letters A-F are used. So, A represents 10, B represents 11, C represents 12, D represents 13, E represents 14 and F represents 15.
  • Each digit in a hexadecimal number represents four bits, which is half a byte or a "nibble", thereby providing an easy and straightforward relationship between hexadecimal and binary data representation.
  • As hexadecimal numbers have such a direct relationship with binary numbers, they are often used in computing to simplify the representation of binary codes.
  • To convert a decimal number into hexadecimal, you divide the decimal number by 16 and record the remainder. This process is then repeated with the quotient, until the quotient is 0.
  • In order to translate from hexadecimal to decimal, each digit of the hexadecimal number is multiplied by 16 raised to the power of its respective position (starting from 0), and the results are then summed.
  • Conversion between hexadecimal and binary systems is straightforward. Each hexadecimal digit corresponds to a four-digit binary number. For instance, the hexadecimal digit 'A', which corresponds to the decimal number 10, translates to 1010 in binary.
  • The hexadecimal system is commonly used in programming and web design. For instance, colours in HTML and CSS can be represented by six-digit hexadecimal numbers - where two digits are used for each of the red, green, and blue (RGB) components.

Course material for Computer Science, module Data Representation, topic Hexadecimal Numbers

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