ECAT Computer Science Syllabus

Computer Science syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Computer Science in ECAT, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Information and Number Systems

   3 topics

   • Data and information concepts
   • Binary, octal and hexadecimal systems
   • Number system conversions
2. 2

   Computer Architecture and Hardware

   3 topics

   • CPU and memory hierarchy
   • Input and output devices
   • Storage devices
3. 3

   Operating Systems and Software

   3 topics

   • System and application software
   • Operating system functions
   • Utilities and language processors
4. 4

   Data Communication and Networks

   3 topics

   • Transmission media and modes
   • Network topologies and types
   • The Internet and protocols
5. 5

   Programming Fundamentals in C

   4 topics

   • Data types, variables and operators
   • Control structures
   • Functions and arrays
   • Pointers and structures
6. 6

   Databases and Data Management

   3 topics

   • Database concepts and DBMS
   • Tables, fields and records
   • Relationships and keys
7. 7

   Boolean Algebra and Logic Gates

   2 topics

   • Logic gates and truth tables
   • Boolean expressions and simplification
8. 8

   Security and Social Impacts

   2 topics

   • Computer viruses and threats
   • Data protection and ethics

Computer Science flashcards for ECAT

23 of 50 cards from the Computer Science deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the difference between data and information?

   Data is raw, unprocessed facts and figures with no inherent meaning; information is processed, organized data that is meaningful and useful for decision-making.

2. Define a bit and a byte, and state how many bits are in a byte.

   A bit is the smallest unit of data, holding a single binary value (0 or 1). A byte is a group of 8 bits.

3. List the data size units in ascending order from byte to terabyte.

   Byte, Kilobyte (KB), Megabyte (MB), Gigabyte (GB), Terabyte (TB) — each roughly 1024 times the previous (2^10).

4. What is the base (radix) of the binary, octal, decimal and hexadecimal number systems?

   Binary = base 2, Octal = base 8, Decimal = base 10, Hexadecimal = base 16.

5. Which symbols/digits are used in the hexadecimal number system?

   0–9 and A, B, C, D, E, F (where A=10, B=11, C=12, D=13, E=14, F=15).

6. How do you convert a binary number to decimal?

   Multiply each binary digit by 2 raised to the power of its position (starting at 0 from the right) and sum the results.

7. How do you convert a decimal integer to binary?

   Repeatedly divide the number by 2, recording the remainders; the binary equivalent is the remainders read from bottom (last) to top (first).

8. What is the binary equivalent of decimal 25?

   11001 (16 + 8 + 1 = 25).

9. How do you convert binary to octal?

   Group the binary digits into sets of 3 (from the right, padding with leading zeros if needed) and convert each group to its octal digit.

10. How do you convert binary to hexadecimal?

    Group the binary digits into sets of 4 (from the right, padding with leading zeros if needed) and convert each group to its hex digit.

11. What is the decimal value of the hexadecimal number 1A?

    26 (1×16 + 10 = 16 + 10 = 26).

12. What is the octal equivalent of binary 110101?

    65 (110=6, 101=5).

13. What are the three main components of a CPU?

    The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), the Control Unit (CU), and the registers.

14. What is the function of the ALU in the CPU?

    The Arithmetic Logic Unit performs all arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, etc.) and logical operations (AND, OR, NOT, comparisons).

15. What is the function of the Control Unit (CU)?

    The Control Unit directs and coordinates the operations of the computer by fetching, decoding, and controlling the execution of instructions; it does not process data itself.

16. What is a register in a CPU and why is it fast?

    A register is a small, very fast storage location inside the CPU used to hold data and instructions currently being processed; it is the fastest memory because it is built into the processor.

17. Order the memory hierarchy from fastest/smallest to slowest/largest.

    Registers, Cache memory, Main memory (RAM), Secondary storage (hard disk/SSD) — speed and cost per bit decrease while capacity increases going down.

18. What is the main difference between RAM and ROM?

    RAM is volatile read/write memory that loses its contents when power is off; ROM is non-volatile read-only memory that retains its contents permanently.

19. Differentiate between SRAM and DRAM.

    SRAM (static RAM) uses flip-flops, is faster, more expensive, and needs no refreshing; DRAM (dynamic RAM) uses capacitors, is slower, cheaper, and must be refreshed periodically.

20. What is cache memory and where is it located?

    Cache is a small, high-speed memory located between the CPU and main memory that stores frequently used data and instructions to speed up processing.

21. What is the purpose of an input device? Give three examples.

    Input devices feed data and instructions into the computer. Examples: keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, joystick.

22. What is the purpose of an output device? Give three examples.

    Output devices present processed information from the computer to the user. Examples: monitor, printer, speaker, plotter.

23. Classify a touchscreen and a modem as input, output, or both.

    A touchscreen is both an input and output device; a modem is also both (it sends and receives data).

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