Revision - 02/05

Interpret and run simple dry algorithms:

Dry run involves hand tracing the running of an algorithm to see how variables will update, what outputs will occur etc.

You use a trace tables and go through you code line by line finding errors.

Choice of Algorithm:

choice may be influenced by data structure and data values

Note how choice of algorithm will be influenced by type of data e.g. random, partially sorted, few unique.

Instructions coded as bit patterns:

Computer programs are compiled into machine code before they can run on a computer.

Instructions to a CPU are processed as part of the fetch-execute cycle.

Opcode and operand- Revise.

How the PC knows weather its reading instructions or data:

The CPU can differentiate between instructions and data.

Some systems use a software flag which assigns sole locations in memory as 'instructions' or 'data'.

Other systems use hardware flag to distinguish, here an extra bit may be allocated showing which one.

MAC address- Media access control address:

Is a unique identifier assigned to NIC interfaces.

Content of the notes (1)