System parts
A computer system is more than a box: it combines hardware, software, data and users to turn data into information. Sort the parts of three everyday systems.
Inside the box
Press each part of the PC to see what it does and what happens when it fails. Then sort the peripherals by the direction of the data.
Software types
Separate hardware from software, sort programs into the four types and see why firmware lives inside devices. Then compare a compiler with an interpreter.
Right computer for the job
Match real needs with the type of computer that fits best, then compare the six types.
The OS layer cake
Follow a request from you to the hardware and back, one layer at a time. Switch between the graphical interface and the command line.
Kernel architectures
Break a part of the kernel, or add new hardware, and compare how monolithic, layered, modular and microkernel designs react.
OS classifier
Pick an operating system and classify it by users, multitasking, licence, number of CPUs and structure.
Licence detective
Learn what each licence type allows, then solve licence puzzles and legal cases.
Practice
Ten random questions, and a hardware check with a new exercise each time. You get the explanation after every answer.