ITD102: Introduction to Computer Systems

Workbook 2: High Level Technologies (24C2)

This document contains the further investigation questions relevant to the first part of this unit. You must undertake the questions individually.

DUE DATE: Further investigation should be done individually.  The due date for the Further Investigation Workbook 2 is Friday @11:59 PM of Week 10 (complete electronic copy only via Canvas). The late submission period is valid for this assessment (further investigation questions only). Late submissions after this, without an official extension, cannot be marked. The submission link will open early and allow multiple attempts. Only the last valid submission will be assessed.

The use of generative AI tools, e.g. Chat GPT, is allowed for the purpose of responding specifically as outlined in each question explanation. Any generated content needs to be appropriately referenced and notes provided as to what prompts were used to generate the content. When referencing the content generated by the AI software for guidance go to QUT Cite|Write APA-Internet Sources-Generative AI. Generative AI is not,  however, to be used in the other tasks in the assessment. The use of such tools when not authorised may be treated as a breach of MOPP Academic Integrity S6 (13)  and appropriate penalties imposed.

Plagiarism checking: Please note once your work is submitted, it will be checked against an extensive database of student submissions (including past semesters/college submissions), publications and Internet content. Copied sections and AI generated content are not eligible to receive a grade, i.e. we will assess only your work.

Further investigation questions

Topic 5: Languages and Libraries

This weeks’ content describes the two key methods by which we manage complexity in computer systems: high level programming languages and software libraries. These techniques are used extensively at all levels of a computer system from low level hardware and software to business processes and workflows. These questions explore programming languages, and software libraries and their APIs.

Use one of the following questions as a prompt for your text generation AI of choice. Your solution should be two to three pages – there is a lot of copying and pasting. Please provide well thought-out answers; use critical thinking and try to be insightful: do not trust the AI or repeat marketing hype from companies. Remember to correctly cite and reference all material you use (http://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/cite/ ). Your answer must have a list of references and in text citations. Answers without correct referencing will not pass.

Have the AI answer one of the following questions and provide your analysis in the table on the next page:

1. Version Control

Explain how version control is used to manage complexity in large projects. Choose two
implementations of version control software and compare their features and benefits.

2. Programming Languages

Investigate one of the following new programming languages: Julia, rust or Swift. Explain its design and implementation and how they relate to their intended use and benefits over more traditional languages.

Topic 6: The Web

This weeks’ content concerns the world wide web: what it is, how it evolved and how it works. The web is ubiquitous and has become the fabric which connects almost everyone for business, education, healthcare, government, and leisure. Thus, it is important for everyone to understand the basics of how it works and how it is evolving. These questions concern current and new web technologies.

Use one of the following questions as a prompt for your text generation AI of choice. Your solution should be two to three pages – there is a lot of copying and pasting. Please provide well thought-out answers; use critical thinking and try to be insightful: do not trust the AI or repeat marketing hype from companies. Remember to correctly cite and reference all material you use (http://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/cite/ ). Your answer must have a list of references and in text citations. Answers without correct referencing will not pass.

Have the AI answer one of the following questions and provide your analysis in the table on the next page:

1. Web site technologies

Pick one of the following technologies and describe how it simplifies modern web site development: Ember, Django, or Bootstrap.

2. Web Developments

Describe an interesting recent development of the web (within the last year or upcoming),
please focus on the interesting technical aspects of the development.

In your analysis, please explain how the response relates to what we have been studying.

Topic 7: Security

This weeks’ content concerns computer security at the operating system, network and hardware level. The more our world becomes connected and automated the more important computer security becomes. Computer security affects all aspects of computer systems. These questions investigate security technologies and how computer security is achieved in different contexts.

Use one of the following questions as a prompt for your text generation AI of choice. Your solution should be two to three pages – there is a lot of copying and pasting. Please provide well thought-out answers; use critical thinking and try to be insightful: do not trust the AI or repeat marketing hype from companies. Remember to correctly cite and reference all material you use (http://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/cite/ ). Your answer must have a list of references and in text citations. Answers without correct referencing will not pass.

Have the AI answer one of the following questions and provide your analysis in the table on the next page:

1. Securing Business Systems

Describe some of the challenges in securing computers used in an enterprise environment Discuss networking, software and hardware solutions to address these challenges.

2. Biometrics

Describe some new developments in security biometrics and the problems they solve.

Topic 8: Mobile, Cloud and the Internet of Things

This weeks’ content discussed how Moore’s Law is giving rise to new classes of technology, including the cloud, mobile devices and the Internet of Things (IoT). These questions investigate different technologies associated with these computing systems.

Use one of the following questions as a prompt for your text generation AI of choice. Your solution should be two to three pages – there is a lot of copying and pasting. Please provide well thought-out answers; use critical thinking and try to be insightful: do not trust the AI or repeat marketing hype from companies. Remember to correctly cite and reference all material you use (http://www.citewrite.qut.edu.au/cite/ ). Your answer must have a list of references and in text citations. Answers without correct referencing will not pass.

Have the AI answer one of the following questions and provide your analysis in the table on the next page:

1. Wearables

Explain some new technical developments in wearable computing: explain the technology, how it works and what features or services it offers and how they can be used.

2. Internet of Things

Describe a (recent) real application of the internet of things; please focus your explanation on
the novel computer systems which make this work.