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Northern IrelandDigital Technology

AS 2 Fundamentals of Digital Technology

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does the processor fetch and execute instructions, and what affects its performance?

The components of the CPU, the role of memory and buses, the fetch-decode-execute cycle, and the factors that affect processor performance.
A CCEA A-Level Digital Technology answer on computer architecture: the components of the CPU, the role of memory and buses, the fetch-decode-execute cycle, and the factors that affect processor performance.
11 min answer →

What is the difference between data and information, and how is data quality protected on entry?

The distinction between data, information and knowledge, data types, and the validation and verification techniques that protect data quality.
A CCEA A-Level Digital Technology answer on data and information: the distinction between data, information and knowledge, common data types, and the validation and verification techniques that protect data quality on entry.
10 min answer →

How are numbers, text, images and sound represented in binary inside a computer?

Representing data in binary, hexadecimal and denary, converting between bases, and how characters, images and sound are encoded digitally.
A CCEA A-Level Digital Technology answer on data representation: binary, denary and hexadecimal and converting between them, character encoding with ASCII and Unicode, and how images and sound are represented digitally.
11 min answer →

What are the main types of memory and storage, and when is each used?

Primary memory (RAM, ROM, cache), secondary storage (magnetic, optical and solid state) and the characteristics that decide which is appropriate.
A CCEA A-Level Digital Technology answer on hardware: primary memory (RAM, ROM and cache), secondary storage technologies (magnetic, optical and solid state) and the characteristics, capacity, speed, cost and portability, that decide which is appropriate.
10 min answer →

What is the difference between system and application software, and what does an operating system do?

System software and application software, the functions of an operating system, and the role of utility software.
A CCEA A-Level Digital Technology answer on software: the difference between system and application software, the main functions of an operating system, and the role of utility software.
10 min answer →

What types of user interface are there, and what makes an interface well designed?

Types of user interface (graphical, command-line, menu and natural language), human-computer interaction, and the principles of good interface design including accessibility.
A CCEA A-Level Digital Technology answer on the user interface: the types of interface (graphical, command-line, menu and natural language), human-computer interaction, and the principles of good interface design including accessibility.
10 min answer →