This paper briefly describes the learning outcomes of several topics already covered in the ongoing course, which include digital basics, digital data representation, digital processing, and password security.
Digital Basics
Digital basics relate to how digital circuits, also known as integrated circuits, function on the basis of a transistor or sets of transistors being used as a switch or sets of switches to control large amounts of power using minimal input. The basic principle in digital basics is that electronic/computer engineers and technicians can be able to use the same design used in a light switch to create an electronic switch with the capacity to produce varied voltages based on how the switches and inverters are arranged in the integrated circuits.
It is important to note that engineers and technicians are able to obtain logic blocks to undertake a multiplicity of tasks based on how the switches and inverters are arranged, with some of the mostly used arrangements being “AND-GATE”, “OR-GATE”, “NAND-GATE”, and “NOR-GATE” (Patt & Patel 51-59).
Digital Data Representation
Digital data representation basically denotes the process of representing data or information in a digital format so that it can be effectively used by a digitally-enabled device such as a computer. Unlike analogue data representation which displays data or information in a continuous stream with an infinite range of values that shift gradually, digital data representation (also known as discrete data representation) displays data or information in terms of discrete, symbolic values often known in electronic and computer engineering domains as codes.
This explanation illuminates why most computer programmers and software developers use codes to program computers or develop software products for use in the market. Digital data can be synchronized, compressed, replicated, and transmitted indefinitely without resulting in errors (Patt & Patel 1-16).
Digital Processing
In electronic and computer systems technology domains, digital processing basically entails the development of the tools for new media applications in digital image, video, and audio systems. In digital processing, students are expected to gain knowledge and understanding of a multiplicity of media applications such as image processing, audio/video streaming and 3D gaming using DirextX, along with the various techniques used in these applications, such as morphing and warping techniques, JPEG and MPEG compression, as well as mirrors and picking in 3D worlds. It is important to note that, in digital data processing, the binary digits (bits) 0 and 1 are a natural way to interpret the presence or absence of a phenomenon, and that the binary numbers and arithmetic are like decimals except that they are limited by the two numerals 0 and 1 (Lyons 3-7).
Password Security
Password security basically revolves around ensuring that all user accounts are secure against being illegally accessed by cyber criminals or compromised by unauthorized users seeking to steal important information. Owing to the fact that passwords serve as the initial line of defense against cyber criminals, internet users are advised to
- use unique and strong passwords for each of their important online accounts,
- update their passwords regularly,
- use long passwords made up of numbers, letters, and symbols to make them hard to compromise,
- set up password recovery options and keep them up-to-date, and
- keep their passwords in a secret location that is not easily visible to other people (Cheswick, Bellovin, & Rubin 135-145).
Works Cited
Cheswick, William R., Steven M. Bellovin and Aviel D. Rubin. Firewalls and Internet Security: Repelling the Wily Hacker. 2nd ed. 2003. Boston, MA: Addison-Wesley Professional. Print.
Lyons, Richard G. Understanding Digital Signal Processing. 3rd ed. 2010. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Print.
Patt, Yale and Sanjay Patel. Introduction to Computing Systems: From Bits & Gates to C & Beyond. 2nd ed. 2003. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math. Print.