Higher National Computing, 2nd ed

by Anderson; Howard

• ISBN13: 9780750661256
• ISBN10: 0750661259
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2004-05-05
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Higher National Computing 2e is a new edition of this extremely successful course book, updated specifically to cover the compulsory core units of the 2003 BTEC Higher National Computing schemes. Full coverage is given of the four core units for HNC, the two additional core units required at HND, and the Core Specialist Unit 'Quality Systems', common to both certificate and diploma level. Students following the HNC and HND courses will find this book essential reading, as it covers the core material they will be following through the duration of their course. Knowledge-check questions and activities are included throughout, resulting in a clear and straightforward text which encourages independent study. Like the syllabus itself, this book is ideal for students progressing to HNC / HND from GNVQs, as well as A-Level and BTEC National, with content designed to cover the requirements of students following General Computing, Software Engineering and Business IT courses. * Full coverage of the seven compulsory core units of the new BTEC Higher National Computing schemes from Edexcel, for both Certificate and Diploma * Student-centred approach ideal for courses with an element of independent study * Knowledge-check questions and activities included throughout, to aid student learning

Table of Contents

Introduction	vii
Computer platforms	1	(63)
The basic components of a PC	1	(3)
Elements in the history of microprocessors	4	(4)
What is a microprocessor?	8	(7)
More complex processors, CISC and RISC	15	(1)
Latest processors	16	(1)
Motherboards and expansion buses, PCI, ISA, etc., chipsets, BIOS and the bootup sequence, POST and operating system loader, I/O ports	16	(9)
Memory: RAM and ROM	25	(4)
Video graphics	29	(6)
Printers	35	(7)
Hard drives	42	(7)
CD-ROM and DVD drives	49	(3)
Computer performance	52	(5)
User requirements	57	(7)
Systems analysis	64	(80)
Systems analysis lifecycle	65	(9)
Systems analysis tools and techniques	74	(42)
Systems investigation	116	(8)
Functional and data modelling	124	(20)
Programming concepts	144	(49)
High-level languages	144	(1)
How does a 3rd generation language work?	145	(1)
First steps in Pascal programming	146	(4)
Elements of Pascal 1	150	(8)
Elements of Pascal 1: practice	158	(3)
Elements of Pascal 2	161	(8)
Elements of Pascal 2: Practice	169	(5)
Elements of Pascal 3	174	(8)
Elements of Pascal 3: practice	182	(2)
Design of larger programs	184	(2)
Translating a design into code	186	(3)
Debugging inside the IDE	189	(2)
Prototyping	191	(1)
Program documentation	191	(2)
Concepts of database design	193	(36)
Database environments	193	(4)
Data models	197	(7)
Users within a database environment	204	(1)
Database case studies	205	(1)
Database management systems	205	(4)
Data manipulation	209	(11)
Designing and using databases	220	(9)
Networking concepts	229	(38)
The size of a network	230	(1)
Cost-benefit analysis	230	(2)
Network architectures	232	(3)
Layering in networks	235	(3)
Virtual circuits in local area networks	238	(3)
Some fundamental ideas, bandwidth, decibels, etc.	241	(4)
Network protocols	245	(2)
Synchronous and asynchronous communications	247	(2)
Small computer local communication standards	249	(1)
Network specification	250	(3)
The physical communication media	253	(3)
Connecting to networks from remote sites	256	(2)
Network operating systems	258	(4)
Network administration	262	(1)
Network security	263	(4)
Personal skills development	267	(40)
Transferable skills	268	(18)
Working and contributing to groups	286	(2)
Problem solving	288	(3)
The learning experience	291	(16)
Quality systems	307	(83)
Quality assurance	308	(18)
Quality control	326	(15)
Project management	341	(20)
Systems development review	361	(29)
Appendix A: Hexadecimal and other number bases	390	(5)
Appendix B: ASCII character set	395	(4)
Appendix C: Colour	399	(2)
Appendix D: A brief network glossary	401	(2)
Mapping of learning outcomes	403	(6)
Answers	409	(26)
Index	435