This is where you will find materials and links for the Computer Systems part of the course. don't forget to check out our Generally Useful Stuff towards the bottom of the page. You'll find some of that really handy both for reference as you learn, and as revision notes closer to the exams.
This PowerPoint presentation should give you good introduction to the history of electronic computing, and get you doing a bit of your own research (we like you to do some of it for yourself!)
OK, so you've had a little look at the history. Now we're going to look at the building blocks of computers systems. These are the foundation stones on which almost all modern computer systems are built. Understand this stuff, and you have a much better idea HOW the thing works - this helps you to understand what you're talking to, when you get to programming the thing!
Here we hit the biggie, the development in the late 1940s which paved the way for modern computing. Von Neumann Architecture. This is a biggie, take it slowly, and you may want to watch this one twice to let it sink in. Make sure you "get" this stuff, or the next few topics won't make a lot of sense!
Hope you got the idea of the Von Neumann machine; this session takes the idea a step further, and looks at how the VonNeumann idea developed into the modern CPU. Another session it's well worth taking your time to understand, getting these fundamentals really helps later.
This one's coming soon!
Nothing to do with pizza deliveries on a bike! This taster may not make much sense yet, but don't let it scare you!
All you need to know about CPU performance factors (well, at GCSE anyway!) right here on a single-page handout. Enjoy!
Here you'll find a handful of handouts that might just be useful in your studies. The titles should give you a good idea of what each document is!