Free course

Representing and manipulating data in computers

Free statement of participation on completion
Representing and manipulating data in computers Copyrighted Icon
More about this course

Course description

Course content

Course reviews

Computers are all around us: in cars, kitchen scales, digital cameras, etc. But how do they store the data they hold? This free course, Representing and manipulating data in computers, will help you to understand how the data in a computer represents something in the outside world. You will also explore how ASCII code and Unicode are used to control data.

Course learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  • understand what all the terms highlighted in bold in the text mean
  • understand how the following types of data are represented in a computer, and what the limitations of such representations are: positive and negative integers; fractions; analogue physical quantities such as weight; true/false quantities; still pictures; text; moving pictures; sound
  • understand at an introductory level what data compression is and why it is useful
  • understand at an introductory level how input and output subsystems support the conversion of various types of information to and from data types usable by a computer
  • describe what a computer program is and how it utilises the memory and the processor.
Enter course

First Published: 09/08/2012

Updated: 29/03/2016

You can start this course right now without signing-up. Click on any of the course content sections below to start at any point in this course.
If you want to be able to track your progress, earn a free Statement of Participation, and access all course quizzes and activities, sign-up.

Course content

Expand all course content
Skip Rate and Review

For further information, take a look at our frequently asked questions which may give you the support you need.

Have a question?
T224_2

Take your learning further

Making the decision to study can be a big step, which is why you'll want a trusted University. The Open University has 50 years’ experience delivering flexible learning and 170,000 students are studying with us right now. Take a look at all Open University courses.

If you are new to University-level study, we offer two introductory routes to our qualifications. You could either choose to start with an Access module, or a module which allows you to count your previous learning towards an Open University qualification. Read our guide on Where to take your learning next for more information.

Not ready for formal University study? Then browse over 1000 free courses on OpenLearn and sign up to our newsletter to hear about new free courses as they are released.

Every year, thousands of students decide to study with The Open University. With over 120 qualifications, we’ve got the right course for you.

Request an Open University prospectus371