Category Archives: 6. External Sites

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

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!

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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

Fitting in studying for Computing

So you have a lot of exams between now and Computing and you might even have some after Computing, how can you fit in some extra revision?

Well the best way to revise is a little and often, however, let assume you have left it too late and are cramming.

  1. Print out a Computing past paper
  2. When you get bored cramming for the exam you have next, take out the past paper
  3. Do about 10/15 marks worth of the paper using one of the text books to verify your answer. Don’t use the Marker Information, use the text book, that you you need to search for it, further stimulating your brain.
  4. Get back to studying the next exam.

You should be able to do this for multiple subject and if you rotate them you should avoid feeling bored. Remember though when Computing is your next exam, give it your full attention 🙂

Parameter Passing

I was asked a question on parameter passing today. So we came up with mnemonic to try and help you out.

Knowledge to remember

  • By Reference = Input/Output = Changing the value of the original data
  • By Value = Input = Changing the copy of the data.

Mnemonic – Remember you only need to remember one way to work out the reverse.

  • PRO – Passing Reference Original/Output
  • PVC – Passing Value Copy

Revision

Computer Systems & Software Development

  • Anti-Virus software
  • Benefits of modular programming
  • Download speeds
  • Find Maximum
  • Software Compatibility
  • Software documentation
  • Software Evaluation
  • Software Reliability
  • Software Testing
  • Types of maintenance

Multi Media

  • Anti Aliasing
  • Authoring software
  • Calculation of image file sizes
  • Calculation of sound file sizes
  • CLUT
  • Codecs
  • Common file types for sound
  • Container files
  • Dithering
  • Embedded file types
  • Features of a sound card
  • Features of MP3 compression
  • Image file types
  • Implications of video usage
  • Normalisation
  • Object oriented file types
  • RIFF file format
  • RLE compression
  • The software development cycle as it relates to multimedia
  • Transparency
  • VRML