National 5 Computing Science

Unit 2: Computer Systems

Revision Booklet

Computer systems
Data representation Describe and exemplify the use of binary to represent positive integers.

Describe floating point representation of positive real numbers using the terms mantissa and
exponent.

Convert from binary to denary and vice-versa.

Describe extended ASCII code (8-bit) used to represent characters.

Describe the vector graphics method of graphic representation for common objects:
 rectangle
 ellipse
 line
 polygon

with attributes:
 co-ordinates
 fill colour
 line colour

Describe the bit-mapped method of graphics representation.

Computer structure Describe the purpose of the basic computer architecture components and how they are linked
together:

 processor (registers, ALU, control unit)

 memory locations with unique addresses
 buses (data and address)

Explain the need for interpreters and compilers to translate high level program code to binary
(machine code instructions).

Environmental impact Describe the energy use of computer systems, the implications on the environment and how
these could be reduced through:

 settings on monitors
 power down settings
 leaving computers on standby

Security precautions  Describe the role of firewalls.

 Describe the use made of encryption in electronic communications.
Computer Systems
Describe and exemplify the use of binary to represent positive integers.
Data representation

Convert from binary to denary and vice-versa.

• Everything stored by a computer is stored using Binary – 0 & 1

37 =
128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1

Describe floating point representation of positive real numbers using the terms mantissa and exponent.
• The mantissa and exponent are stored as separate numbers. The computer recreates the number
for calculations when it needs to. The mantissa will store the precision of the number and the
exponent will store the range of the number. The greater the number of bits used to store the
mantissa then more precise the number will be. The greater the number of bits used to store the
exponent then the greater the range of numbers can be represented.

Describe extended ASCII code (8-bit) used to represent characters.

• Each character is given an 8-bit ASCII Code.
• For example – V = 86 = 01010110

Describe the vector graphics method of graphic representation for common objects:
• Vector graphics store a picture by storing each objects attribute – e.g. the instructions to draw the
shape.
• Rectangle - (height, width, x, y, fill colour, line colour)
• Ellipse - (cx, cy, rx, ry, fill colour, line colour)
• Line - (x1, y1, x2, y2, line colour)
• Polygon - any shape with 3 of more sides - (x1, y1, x2, y2, x3, y3, fill colour, line colour)

Describe the bit-mapped method of graphics representation.

• Computers stores, in binary (0 and 1), each pixel in a 2D grid. Number of bits per pixel depends on
the number of colours in the image – more colours, more bits.
Computer structure Describe the purpose of the basic computer architecture components and how they are linked together:
Processor
• Control Unit – controls the sequencing of fetching, decoding and executing instructions.
• Arithmetic Logic Unit – performs all calculations and logical operations
• Registers – temporary memory locations within the processor.

Memory locations with unique addresses

• All memory locations within RAM is given a unique address so that the computer can read and
write data to that location correctly.
Buses
• Address Bus – this identifies the memory location that is going to read from or written to.
• Data Bus – this transfers the data between the processor and memory, and vice-versa.

Explain the need for interpreters and compilers to translate high-level program code to binary.
• Interpreter – translates the program one line at a time into machine code and executes
immediately. Machine code is not retained, so must be translated each time. Good for testing,
errors are highlighted straight away.
• Compiler – translate whole program, and then save machine code version. Translate code can be
run again, and again. Used for programs that are ready for release.

Describe the energy use of computer systems, the implications on the environment
Environmental impact

• It is estimated that two billion computer systems are in use in the world – these all use energy. As
user we need to consider how to reduce unnecessary energy use.

and how these could be reduced through:

• Settings on monitors – reduce brightness, activate efficiency mode, use energy efficient monitors.
• Power down settings – power-down after a period of inactivity, control setting for single
components.
• Leaving computers on standby – power consumption is reduced.

Describe the role of firewalls.

Security precautions

• A firewall protects against suspicious access to a computer. When an external computer tries to
access a computer, the firewall decides if the external computers access should be granted or
denied. It does this by checking incoming data packets against a set of rules.

Describe the use made of encryption in electronic communications.

• Encryption codes the information so that if it is intercepted then they would not be able to make
sense of it. It can only be understood by the sender and received. A key is needed to understand
the message.
1. Name and describe the 3 parts of the processor

2. Describe how the computer can accurately read/write to any memory location.

3. Explain what is meant by a ‘bus’ in Computing.

4. Describe the purpose of both the address and data buses.

Address Bus:
Data Bus:

5. Describe two common features of high level languages.

6. Explain why a high level language program must be translated.
7. Describe how an interpreter translates a high level language program.
8. Describe how a compiler translates a high level language program.
9. Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of translating a program using an interpreter.
10. Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of translating a program using a compiler.
11. Andrew is in the middle of writing his program. He could either use a compiler or interpreter to
translate the program. Which would you suggest he uses and give a reason for your answer.
Translator:
Reason:

12. Andrew program is now finished and working correctly. Which translator would you suggest he uses
and give a reason for your answer.
Translator:
Reason:
1.

a) Show how the denary number 115 would be stored in the computer.

b) Show how the denary number 37 would be stored in a computer.

c) Convert the following into denary

a 1000 1000
b 0010 1010
c 0001 0001

d)
The current meter reading of 15007·11 would be stored in a computer system using floating-point
representation as shown below.
0·1500711 × 105

Identify the mantissa and exponent in the above floating-point representation.

a) Explain how bit-mapped graphics are represented in memory.

b) Explain how vector graphics are represented in memory.

c) Describe how characters are stored in computer memory.

Below is shown a simple black and white graphic.

0 0 1 0 0

d) In the picture above, complete the bit-map for the graphic.

e) How many bits would it take to store the above graphic?
f) How many bytes would it take to store the above graphic? Show working.
g) Explain what would happen to the file size if the above graphic had been drawn using 8-bit colour.

h) Write the vector graphics code that will draw both the diagrams shown below.
i) Draw the graphics that would be drawn using the following code.

polygon(3, 3, 3, 8, 7, 8, 7, 3, grey, black) rectangle(5, 4, 3, 3, grey, black)

1.Describe three ways how the energy use of computer systems could be reduced.
2.Describe the role of the firewall.
3.Describe two ways in which a firewall operates.
4.Explain what is meant by ‘encryption’ in Computing.
5.Describe the process of sending and receiving an encrypted message.
Other revision techniques you could try:
1. Create your own questions and answers
2. Try the assessment questions in each booklet again
3. Have another go at the end of topic test questions
4. Try the BBC Bitesize revision quizzes:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/z3kn7p3
5. Create a mind map for each topic
6. Create flashcards – on one side write the key words and on the other side the
definitions – remember to test yourself
7. Record your own podcast and listen to your creation
8. Have a look at Computer Systems past paper questions using the past paper
available on the SQA website – use the mark schemes to correct your answers.