Chapter 1 - Data Storage

Outcomes

  • Recognize that the fundamental building blocks of computers are logic gates and be able to determine the output of a simple collection of gates given their inputs.

  • Apply an understanding of how computers represent various kinds of values to a variety of situations in both CS classroom and daily life, e.g.,
    • Estimate storage requirements for various kinds of data based on size needed for representation and elements being represented (e.g., bits needed for individual values and the number of values needed).
    • Justify the choice of a particular compression technique for a data file.
    • Explain surprising or incorrect results from computer programs.
    • Discuss situations where inexactness of computer calculations matter and don't matter explaining the source of the inexactness.

  • Apply an understanding of computer memory/storage to a variety of situations in both CS classroom and daily life, e.g.,
    • Provide a rationale for choosing amounts of various kinds of memory when purchasing a computer based on speed and cost considerations.
    • Explain primary uses for various kinds of memory and the impact of speed and persistence/permanence.

  • Recognize that computers are not infallible—that errors can occur and can, in some cases, be recognized and corrected.

  • Apply understanding of representation and storage knowledge to social issues, e.g.,
    • Liability in various scenarios.
    • Ethics of actions in various scenarios.
    • Consequences of decisions in various scenarios.

 

Activities

Reading Guide

In order to guide your reading we have designated each section into one of three categories:

  • Essential - You should thoroughly read this material and be prepared to answer questions about this material on assessments.
  • Important - You should thoroughly read this material and be prepared to participate in in-class discussions/activities about this material.
  • Useful - We feel that this material is worth knowing and may supplement other material in the chapter. However, we do not plan on assessing or discussing (unless you ask questions).
Section Essential Important Useful
1.1 Bits and Their Storage      
     Boolean Operations X    
     Gates X    
     Flip Flops   X  
     Hexadecimal   X  
1.2 Main Memory X    
1.3 Mass Storage X    
1.4 Representing Information as Bit Patterns X    
1.5 The Binary System      
     Binary Notation X    
     Binary Addition   X  
     Fractions in Binary X    
1.6 Storing Integers      
     Twos Complement   X  
     Addition in Twos Complement   X  
     The Problem of Overflow X    
     Excess Notation     X
1.7 Storing Fractions X    
1.8 Programming   X  
1.9 Compression   X  
1.10 Communication Errors      
     Parity Bits X    
     Error Correcting Codes   X  

 

Video Resources

 

Activities

In order to explore logic gates you can use the following website

 

In order to explore the different encodings/values of one byte you can use the following scratch program.

 

 

Study Guide

The competency demo for this chapter will consist of several questions from the following study guide. As you study this chapter we suggest you work through the materials in this study guide and ask questions if you need clarifications.

 

 

Study Questions

After you complete the readings for this unit/chapter you should arrange to meet with your groupmates and work on the following activities.

 

Based on these questions we will prepare additional materials to help clarify issues.

 

Additional Materials

The following materials are links to optional materials we think you might find helpful in understanding this chapter and/or when working with your own students.