Binary and hexadecimal number systems, data units, and how text, sound and images are represented as binary.
Lossy and lossless compression, why files are compressed, and how encryption keeps data secure.
Serial and parallel transmission, simplex/half-duplex/full-duplex, USB, error-checking methods and packet switching.
The role and components of the CPU, the von Neumann architecture, registers, buses and the fetch–decode–execute cycle.
RAM and ROM, virtual memory, the three types of secondary storage, and common input and output devices.
System and application software, the functions of an operating system, the user interface, and the role of translators.
The internet vs the WWW, URLs and HTTP/HTTPS, web browsers and cookies, and the main cyber-security threats and defences.
Automated systems and sensors, robotics, artificial intelligence, and the ethical and environmental impact of computing.
The six logic gates and their truth tables, building and reading logic circuits, and writing logic expressions.
Decomposition and abstraction, flowcharts and pseudocode, standard algorithms (search, sort, totalling/counting), trace tables and testing.
Variables and constants, data types, sequence, selection and iteration, arrays, and procedures and functions.
Tables, records and fields, primary keys, data types, validation, and querying a single-table database.