Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Computers

Core Graphic Design Concepts and Terminology

Vector Graphics and File Types

• Vector allows for resizing without loss in quality.
• Vector graphics are smaller in file size.

• PNG file type (Portable Network Graphics).
• SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics).

Digital Asset Sourcing

• He found the images online, but they were in the public domain.
• The team member created the images himself.

The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Typography and Text Handling

• Kerning: The spacing between specific pairs of characters.
• Leading: The distance between each line of text.

Font Classifications

• Script
• Decorative
• Serif
• Sans Serif

Text Overflow

Even though it's not visible, the excess text is still in the bounding area, and a small plus (+) symbol is displayed at the bottom of the... Continue reading "Essential Terminology for Graphic Design, Printing, and Web Projects" »

Variables

Array

int myInts[6];
int myPins[] = {2, 4, 8, 3, 6};
int mySensVals[6] = {2, 4, -8, 3, 2};
char message[6] = "hello";

Bool

int LEDpin = 5;       // LED on pin 5
int switchPin = 13;   // momentary switch on 13, other side connected to ground
bool running = false;

void setup()
{
  pinMode(LEDpin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(switchPin, INPUT);
  digitalWrite(switchPin, HIGH);      // turn on pullup resistor
}

void loop()
{
  if (digitalRead(switchPin) == LOW)
  {
    delay(100);                        // delay to debounce switch
    running = !running;                // toggle running variable
    digitalWrite(LEDpin, running);     // indicate via LED
  }
}

Char

char myChar = 'A';
char myChar = 65;      // both are equivalent

Double

Double precision... Continue reading "Arduino Programming Reference: Variables, Functions & Syntax" »

SkinnerDB: Regret-Bounded Query Evaluation via Reinforcement Learning

INTRODUCTION AND PROBLEM DEFINITION:

The work is on query optimization, more specifically: SkinnerDB focuses on finding the optimal Join Order. Because it has the most impact in practice.

SkinnerDB aims to get expected near optimal results without needing any a-priori information. It does not make strong assumptions either.

CONTRIBUTIONS:

• Introduced a new quality criterion for query evaluation strategies that compares expected and optimal execution cost.
• Proposed several adaptive execution strategies based on reinforcement learning.
• Formally proved correctness and regret bounds for those execution strategies.
• Experimental comparisations of those strategies, implemented in SkinnerDB,

C Programming Basics

Printing a Message

Variables and Mathematical Calculations

Floating-Point Math

Arrays

List and Briefly Define the Four Main Elements of a Computer

A computer is composed of four fundamental elements:

• Main memory: Stores both data and instructions.
• Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU): Capable of operating on binary data.
• Control Unit: Interprets the instructions in memory and ensures their execution.
• Input and Output (I/O) Equipment: Operated by the control unit to facilitate interaction with the external world.

Define the Two Main Categories of Processor Registers

Processor registers can be broadly classified into two categories:

• User-Visible Registers: These registers are accessible to programmers using machine or assembly language. They help minimize references to main memory by optimizing register usage. High-level language compilers

The ISO OSI Reference Model

Created in 1984 by ISO, the model consists of seven layers:

• Layer 1: Physical Layer – Global connections, transmitting raw bits, no buffering.
• Layer 2: Data Link Layer – Secured channels, reducing connection errors, structuring, and transmission controls.
• Layer 3: Network Layer – Multiple connectivity, chosen quality, and transmission systems.
• Layer 4: Transport Layer – Quality selection, recurring connections, user-to-user connection, and transparent data transport.
• Layer 5: Session Layer – Manages sessions between users and machines.
• Layer 6: Presentation Layer – Acts as the translator.
• Layer 7: Application Layer – Includes protocols like HTTP.

TCP/IP Reference Model

The TCP/IP model is the standard family... Continue reading "ISO OSI and TCP/IP Networking Models Explained" »

• A class is a template used to create objects and declare data types and methods in a program.
• Public - Modifier used to declare classes and interfaces. Void - Method that returns no value. Main - Marks the start and end of program execution.
• Scanner class - Used to get user input for types like String and Int.
• Exceptions: Try-catch block, throw statement.
• Inheritance provides a powerful and natural mechanism for organizing and structuring software programs. It improves clarity in the design of classes.
• A subclass provides specialized behavior based on elements provided by the superclass. Using inheritance, programmers can reuse the code in the superclass many times.
• Reading and Writing to Files:
  1. Import java.io file.
  2. File inputFile = new File("input.

Inheritance

Inheritance is the capability of a class to derive properties and characteristics from another class.

Deep Copy vs. Shallow Copy

Deep Copy

In a deep copy, an object is created by copying the data of all variables and allocating new memory resources with the same values. To perform a deep copy, you must explicitly define a copy constructor and assign dynamic memory if required. This also necessitates dynamic memory allocation in other constructors, requiring custom copy constructors and overloaded assignment operators.

box(box& sample) { 
  length = sample.length; 
  breadth = new int; 
  *breadth = *(sample.breadth); 
  height = sample.height; 
}

Shallow Copy

In a shallow copy, an object is created by simply copying the data of all... Continue reading "C++ Object-Oriented Programming Concepts Explained" »