All posts by Mr Stratton

Computing teacher and a PT at Coltness High School.
1. Computer Systems, Computing Higher, Homework

Homework Topic 3 – Measuring Performance

Q1 What factors can influence the MIP rate of measuring performance? 2
Q2 Explain what is meant by the cycle time with reference to the clock speed. 2
Q3 Explain why two computers rated at the same clock speed may not have an equivalent performance.2
Q4 Explain what is meant by a benchmark test in measuring a computer’s performance and give an example of one such benchmark. 2
Q5 Explain the effect of the width of the data bus on a computer’s performance. 2
Q6 Why is an interface needed to connect peripherals to the system bus? 2
Q7 Describe the standard functions of an interface. 2
Q8 Explain the difference between serial and parallel transmission. 2
Q9 Explain why the increase in the width of the data bus can improve system performance. 2
Q10 Explain why the increase in the width of the address bus can improve system performance. 2
Total Marks 20
1. Computer Systems, Computing Higher

Fetch Execute Cycle

I was asked for more detail about the fetch execute cycle. So I thought I would look for something new and a simpler way to explain it.  So if you have a look at this BBC page,  you should get a basic overview of what is happening. You can then read what I found on this page, this will help you to understand it a little better.

Then you can read my blog post about it, which also includes a link to an animation.

Continue reading Fetch Execute Cycle →

2. Software Development, Computing Higher

Scholar Online Homework Session

Theme: Arrays
Subjects: Higher Computing
Audience: Student
When: Wednesday, 29 October 2014 7:30 PM
Presented by: Ian King, SCHOLAR Online Tutor for Computing and Information Systems
Session link: http://heriot-watt.adobeconnect.com/scholarhomework (Enter as a Guest)

You can check on other sessions here.

How to Join

To join a Live Online Session simply follow the session link in the relevant table above up to 30 minutes before the published start time. Enter the session as a guest using your forename or maybe a nickname. All sessions are recorded for use on the SCHOLAR site so please do not share any personal information. Please note that the online room is limited to 100 participants so join in early to avoid disappointment!

All modern web browsers support Adobe Connect via the Adobe Flash 10.3 (or higher) plugin, while Android, BlackBerry and iOS apps are available to install on compatible devices. Audio speakers or headphones are required to listen to the presenter. Please make sure to set up your device in advance of sessions. For full technical specifications see: http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/adobeconnect/tech-specs.html

2. Software Development, Computing Higher, Revision

Parameters and data flow

This is always a hot topic at this time of year. It’s been a while since we did procedures, parameters, byVal, Byref & Data Flow

From Shawlands Acc

  • Data flow within a program is handled by parameters
  • A parameter is a value or a variable which is passed into or out from a subroutine
  • The parameters used in a procedure call are ACTUAL parameters
  • The parameters used in a procedure definition are called FORMAL parameters
  • A parameter is passed BY REFERENCE if it is to by passed into and back out of a procedure
  • A parameter is passed BY VALUE if it is to by passed into but NOT back out of a procedure
  • Arrays are ALWAYS passed by reference
  • The use of parameters means that variables can be kept local to subroutines
  • This leads to programs being more reliable and robust
Revision

Targeted Past Papers

Download

  1. Topic Questions
  2. Past Papers
  3. Past Paper Marking Instructions

Ways to use them

  1. Do the topic questions in order or random. Use e-copies to check answers.
  2. Use Acrobat reader to search the past papers or marking instructions for course content, then do those questions. i.e. “Binary” brings up 4 questions, “CLUT” brings up 5 hits.
  3. Use both the past papers and marking instructions to both test your knowledge (past papers) and revise parts of the course (Marking Instructions).
Revision

A week to go!

1 Comment

I hope your revision and exams are going well.  Seven more sleeps till your Computing exam, I know a few of you will have other exams between now and then but this post is only focused on Computing. I’m not here today to get you wound up or to cause you any more stress, but this post, is to focus your attention on what you should be doing between now and then.

Here is what I would do with a week to go.

  1. I wouldn’t study outside – its hot and full of distractions
  2. I would start at 9 and do the following
    1. Past Paper
    2. Break
    3. Marking Past Paper
    4. Break down wrong answers into core and non core (using the list below – core is likely to come up the exam)
    5. Revise core
    6. Lunch
    7. Revise core
    8. Break (its about 2pm if the above tasks took you 2hr for the paper and 30 mins a task)
    9. Revise non core answers
    10. Look over the topics from the units by picking a half dozen topics each day.
  3. Download this document. and use this as the basis for some questions on the topics I found hard, as well as, using it to aid revision of the topics in the units (List of Topics at bottom)
  4. Use the blog, Scholar and other school’s notes to learn the core information I am not sure about.
  5. I would learn the two images below and be able to describe and compare each of the aditdem elements with each other – E.g. what is the difference between Procedural and Event Driven Languages?
  6. I would make sure that I can describe two differences of the attached.
  7. I would look over and memorise the standard algorithms
  8. I would buy a £1 calculator that does binary and learn how to use it.
  9. If I was tired, I would take a break and I would cut down on caffeine.
  10. I would give my mobile/tablet/games console to my parents when I was studying and get it back at breaks (when I was your age this was not an option :) )

The above is not a roadmap to success! However, it might help get you the marks you need to change a grade.

Good luck in the exam! Remember ask questions here or to my email account, I will be checking them over the coming week and will try and get a response out ASAP. If you are finding it too warm to study, the class room has air con and I’m sure I could squeeze you in at a desk.

Core – likely to come up in the exam

Computer Systems

  • Systems
  • application based tests
  • Bit map graphics
  • CCD
  • fetch execute cycle
  • file, print and web servers
  • FLOPS
  • hub, switch, router
  • Interface functions
  • MIPS
  • Network topologies
  • operating system functions
  • peer to peer Vs client server
  • RGB
  • software compatibility issues
  • standard file formats
  • Two’s complement
  • utility programs
  • Vector graphics
  • virus software detection techniques
  • Viruses – types, code actions

Software Development

  • by value and by reference
  • local and global variables
  • concatenation and substrings
  • design notations
  • Evaluation – robustness, reliability, portability, efficiency and maintainability
  • iterative
  • macros
  • maintenance
  • module library
  • one-dimensional arrays
  • personnel
  • procedural, declarative and event-driven
  • real, integer and boolean variables
  • Scope
  • scripting languages
  • software specification
  • stages
  • standard algorithms

Multimedia

  • Authoring software
  • Bluetooth
  • CLUT
  • codec and container file
  • dithering
  • MIDI
  • MPEG
  • PCM, ADPCM
  • RAW, RIFF
  • RLE, LZW
  • Sound file size
  • vector graphics
  • Video file size
  • anti-aliasing
  • re-sampling

Unit / Topic

Computer Systems
Data representation
Computer structure
Peripherals
Networking
Computer software
Software Development
Software development process
Software development languages and environments
High level programming language constructs
Standard algorithms
Multimedia Technology
Development process for multimedia applications
Bit-mapped graphic data
Digitised sound data
Video data
Vector graphics data
Synthesised sound data
Implications of the use of multimedia technology
Not in the exam, Revision

Comments

I’m afraid there appears to be a problem with Akismet getting updates on Glow just now. As a result I have 600+ comments and no way of sorting out the rubbish from the requests. Can you drop me an email to my Glow account if you want a question answered.