GCSE Computer Science WJEC

This subject is broken down into 86 topics in 13 modules:

  1. Fundamentals of Computer Science 17 topics
  2. Programming and System Development 9 topics
  3. Computer Architecture, Data, Communication and Applications 8 topics
  4. Hardware 6 topics
  5. Logical Operations 4 topics
  6. Communication 8 topics
  7. Organisation and Structure of Data 11 topics
  8. System Software 2 topics
  9. Principles of Programming 1 topics
  10. Software Engineering 1 topics
  11. Program Construction 5 topics
  12. Security and Data Management 8 topics
  13. Ethical, Legal and Environmental Impacts 6 topics
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  • 13
    modules
  • 86
    topics
  • 33,500
    words of revision content
  • 4+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Computer Science

Fundamentals of Computer Science

Hardware and Communication

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Hardware and Communication

Hardware

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system which you can physically touch.

  • Central Processing Unit (CPU): Known as the 'brain of the computer.' This is where most calculations take place.

  • Random-access Memory (RAM): This is the computer's "working memory". RAM temporarily stores data that is being used or processed by the CPU.

  • Hard Drive: This is where data is stored on a long-term basis. Even when the computer is switched off, data remains on the hard drive.

  • Motherboard: This is the main circuit board of a computer. All other hardware components connect to the motherboard.

  • Input/Output Devices: Input devices like the keyboard and mouse allow users to interact with the machine. Output devices like monitors and printers enable the computer to communicate information to the user.

Communication

Communication refers to the processes by which computers exchange information.

  • Networks: Computers can be connected together to form a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). Networks allow computers to share resources and communicate with each other.

  • Internet: The Internet is a global network of networks. It connects computers all over the world and provides services like the World Wide Web and email.

  • Protocols: These are standardised ways of sending and receiving data over networks. They ensure that data is transmitted accurately and in a way that can be understood by the receiving computer. Examples include HTTP, TCP/IP, and SMTP.

  • Wireless communication: Data can be sent wirelessly using technologies like Wi-Fi (used for local area networks) and 3G/4G/5G (used for wider connectivity, as in mobile phone networks).

  • Routers and Switches: These are devices that help direct data along the correct path in a network. Routers are typically used in home networks to connect multiple devices to the Internet, whilst switches are commonly found in business and data centres to connect large numbers of machines.

Security

Maintaining security of hardware and communication is paramount.

  • Firewalls: These are hardware or software systems used to prevent unauthorised access to a network.

  • Encryption: This is the process of converting data into a secure format to prevent unauthorised access. Data must be decrypted before it can be read.

  • Virus protection software: This software helps protect against malicious software (malware) such as viruses, worms, and trojans.

  • Updates: Regular software and hardware updates are important to ensure security features are up to date and can protect against the latest threats.

  • Data backup: Regularly backing up data ensures it can be restored if lost due to hardware failure, accidental deletion, or a security breach.

Course material for Computer Science, module Fundamentals of Computer Science, topic Hardware and Communication

Computer Science

Logical Operations

Simplifying Boolean expressions using Boolean identities and rules

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Simplifying Boolean expressions using Boolean identities and rules

Understanding Boolean Identities And Rules

  • Boolean identities and rules are fundamental concepts in logic, providing the basis for simplifying Boolean expressions.
  • They can be likened to algebraic laws (like the commutative law in maths) but apply specifically to Boolean algebra.

Common Boolean Identities

  • There are several standard identities in Boolean algebra. Among the most common are Identity Law, Null Law, Idempotent Law, Complementation Law, Double Negation Law, Commutative Law, Associative Law, Distributive Law, Absorption Law and De Morgan's Law.

Identity Law

  • The Identity Law states that any value ANDed with true will be the value itself (

    A AND true = A

    ), and any value ORed with false will be the value itself (

    A OR false = A

    ).

Null Law

  • The Null Law holds that any value ANDed with false will result in false (

    A AND false = false

    ) and any value ORed with true will equate to true (

    A OR true = true

    ).

Idempotent Law

  • As per the Idempotent Law, any value ANDed or ORed with itself will result in the value itself (

    A AND A = A

    and

    A OR A = A

    ).

Complementation Law

  • The Complementation Law posits that ORing a value with its negation yields true, while ANDing a value with its negation produces false (

    A OR NOT A = true

    and

    A AND NOT A = false

    ).

Double Negation Law

  • The Double Negation Law simply indicates that the NOT of the NOT of a variable is the variable itself (i.e.,

    NOT (NOT A) = A

    ).

Commutative Law, Associative Law and Distributive Law

  • Commutative Law establishes that the order of operations doesn't affect the outcome in AND and OR operators.

    A AND B

    is the same as

    B AND A

    and likewise for OR.
  • Associative Law suggests that grouping doesn't change the result.

    (A AND B) AND C

    equals

    A AND (B AND C)

    . The same holds true for OR operations.
  • The Distributive Law points to the fact that

    A AND (B OR C)

    equals

    (A AND B) OR (A AND C)

    , and similarly,

    A OR (B AND C)

    equals

    (A OR B) AND (A OR C)

    .

Absorption Law and De Morgan's Law

  • The Absorption Law indicates that

    A AND (A OR B)

    is equal to

    A

    , as is

    A OR (A AND B)

    .
  • De Morgan's Law states that

    NOT (A AND B)

    is the same as

    (NOT A OR NOT B)

    , and

    NOT (A OR B)

    equals

    (NOT A AND NOT B)

    .

Simplifying Boolean Expressions

  • Applying these Boolean identities and laws to Boolean expressions can aid in simplifying complex expressions.
  • Simplifying boolean expressions can make them easier to understand and more efficient in terms of computational resources.
  • Simplification often means reducing the number of logic gates in a digital circuit, thus making the circuit simpler, cheaper, and more reliable.
  • Familiarise yourself with these identities and rules until you can recognise and apply them almost automatically. Practice makes perfect!

Course material for Computer Science, module Logical Operations, topic Simplifying Boolean expressions using Boolean identities and rules

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