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ScotlandComputer Science

Area 2: Computer Systems

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What are the main parts of a processor and how do they work together to run a program?

The structure of a computer: the processor (ALU, control unit and registers), the buses (data and address) used to read from and write to memory, and the difference between an interpreter and a compiler.
An SQA Higher Computing Science answer on computer structure, covering the processor (ALU, control unit and registers), the data and address buses used to access memory, and the difference between an interpreter and a compiler.
11 min answer →

How are text characters and program instructions stored as binary?

Representing characters using ASCII, extended ASCII and Unicode, and the principle that program instructions and all real-world data are ultimately stored as binary.
An SQA Higher Computing Science answer on representing text and instructions in binary, covering ASCII, extended ASCII and Unicode character sets and the principle that all data and instructions are stored as binary.
10 min answer →

How does a computer store positive and negative whole numbers and very large or very small real numbers in binary?

Representing positive and negative integers using two's complement, and representing real numbers using floating-point with a mantissa and exponent.
An SQA Higher Computing Science answer on representing numbers in binary, covering positive and negative integers using two's complement and real numbers using floating-point representation with a mantissa and exponent.
12 min answer →

What is the environmental cost of computer systems, and how can it be reduced?

The environmental impact of computer systems: their energy consumption, ways to reduce that impact, and the environmental considerations of intelligent systems.
An SQA Higher Computing Science answer on the environmental impact of computer systems, covering their energy consumption, practical ways to reduce that impact, and the environmental considerations raised by intelligent systems.
10 min answer →