KS3 Computer Science

11-14 Years Old

48 modules covering EVERY Computer Science topic needed for KS3 level.

GCSE Computer Science

14-16 Years Old

45 modules covering EVERY Computer Science topic needed for GCSE level.

A-Level Computer Science

16-18 Years Old

66 modules covering EVERY Computer Science topic needed for A-Level.

Code Generation

Overview A calculation is stated to interpret a generally low-level moderate portrayal of a plan into gathering code or machine program for an objective PC. The calculation is table navigation. A development calculation is utilized to deliver the bar from the utilitarian depiction of the objective machine. This technique creates top-notch code for some monetarily …

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Rapid Application Development (RAD)

What is Rapid Application Development? The Rapid Application Development (RAD) model was introduced as a response to plan-driven Waterfall processes. The first type of RAD was developed by Barry Boehm, which is known as the “Spiral Model” (discussed in another article). Boehm had emphasized an approach that developed using prototypes as-well as or instead of …

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Spiral Model

What is the Spiral Model? The Spiral Model was first introduced in a paper titled “A Spiral Model of Software Development and Enhancement” in 1986 written by Barry Boehm who was an American software engineer. Later on in 1988 he published a similar paper to a wider audience. The model was not the first model …

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Agile Methodology

During the 1970s, the Waterfall methodology was prevalent as being superior to all other methodologies of use (although there weren’t that many). Using Waterfall meant spending a huge amount of time and effort gathering resources upfront and panning with a lot of key decision based on assumption. Though it was just not working out for …

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Waterfall Methodology

Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Software Development Life Cycle is a systematic approach to develop software. This cycle creates a structure for the developer to design, create, and produce/deliver high-quality software (that depend on the client requirements or end user). Furthermore SDLC also provides a methodology for improving the quality of the product. The main …

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Extreme Programming (XP)

What is Extreme Programming? Just before the year 2000, Ken Beck, had developed Extreme Programming (XP) during his line of work at Chrysler Comprehensive Compensation System payroll project. Beck had become the project leader of this project, and thus he had refined the development methodology used, which ultimately led him to write a book about …

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Interrupts

Originally, hardware interrupts were introduced as an optimisation, which eliminate unproductive waiting time in polling loops whilst waiting for external events. Polling loops: Polling refers to actively sampling the status of an external device by a client program as a synchronous activity. The first system to use this type of approach was in 1954 and …

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Device Drivers

When a user adds a new component to the computer system, for instance a printer, the device drivers will allow the communication and recognition of the component with the operating system, so that the new piece of hardware can function properly. In the early days of programming and computers, device drivers would be created using …

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Memory Management

What is Memory Management? Memory management is an activity, which is carried out in the kernel of the operating system. The kernel itself is the central part of an operating system, it manages the operations of the computer and its hardware, however it’s most known for managing the memory and the CPU time. One of …

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Virtual Memory

One of the main processes in an operating system is memory management. This technique allows the processes (which allow applications/programs/tasks that you require to function) to move back and forth between the main memory and hard disk memory during the time of execution. Memory management keeps track of all memory locations in order to allocate …

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Multi-Task Operating Systems

An operating system (OS), is a collection of software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services for computer programs. An operating system is the core software, which allows a computer system to operate and execute its command as it was intended to do so. The operating system manages the user interface, hardware, and …

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Arithmetic Logic Unit

INTRODUCTION Arithmetic Logic Unit is the part of a computer that performs arithmetic operations on binary numbers.  On the contrary, FPU (Floating Point Unit) works on decimal values. This ALU is comprised of CPU (Central Processing Unit), Floating Point Unit (FPU), GPU (Graphical Processing Unit. Thus, a single CPU or FPU might contain many ALU’s. …

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Harvard Architecture

INTRODUCTION Microcontrollers generally use two types of Architecture. Von Neumann Architecture Harvard Architecture  Von Neumann Architecture consists of Control Unit, Arithmetic and LOGIC unit, Input/ Output, and Registers. In Von Neumann Architecture, which is used by many microcontrollers, memory space is on the same bus and thereby instructions and data intend to use the same …

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Computational Thinking

We may think that computers “think” and that they outsmart humans “just like that”. However that’s not the case, computers do exactly what we humans tell them to do, or better said, what we program them to do. Once programmed a computer can only execute problems and produce solutions more efficiently than humans. Computational thinking …

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Von-Neumann vs Harvard Architecture

The term Computer architectures refer to a set of rules stating how computer software and hardware are combined together and how they interact to make a computer functional, furthermore, the computer architecture also specifies which technologies the computer is able to handle. Computer architecture is a specification, which describes how software and hardware interact together …

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RISC and CISC Processors

The general definition of a processor or a microprocessor is: A small chip that is placed inside the computer as well as other electronic devices. In very simple terms, the main job of a processor is to receive input and then provide the appropriate output (depending on the input). Modern-day processors have become so advanced …

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Distributed Operating System

What is an Operating System? An operating system (OS), is a collection of software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services for computer programs. An operating system is the core software, which allows a computer system to operate and execute its commands as it was intended to do so. The operating system manages …

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Real Time Operating Systems

Before we dig deep into the real time operating systems (RTOS), it is good practice to remind ourselves, what an operating system is. An operating system is the core software, which allows a computer system to operate and execute its command as it was intended to do so. The operating system manages the user interface, …

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Contemporary Processors

What are contemporary processors? We humans use our brain as our processor, however computational devices have contemporary processors. Devices such as desktops, smartphones, or any form of device that receives an input and output have a processor. This processor can be referred to as the CPU (Central Processing Unit). The CPU carries out logical and …

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Multi-User Operating System

INTRODUCTION Let’s first understand what an operating system is. An operating system is a big piece of software that acts as an interface between the user and the computer hardware, which does multiple functions such as  Memory Management File Management Processor Management In General, The Operating System that we use on our computers at home, …

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Embedded Systems

What are Embedded Systems? Embedded systems have become an integral part of human lives, they are designed with a specific function. Characteristics like, compressed size, low cost, and an overall simple design, makes them very popular nowadays. Embedded systems, in today’s society play a vital role in many devices, such as: home appliances, equipment instrumentation, …

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