WIthin the lab, Logic Gates and Digital CIrcuits, we focus on the matter of creating sample circuits of which represent the concepts of input and output, as well as how Logic Gates have an effect on such matters.

Of the lab, the most definitive sections within are the Logic Gates: AND Gates, XOR Gates, and NOT Gates. Beginning, a NOT Gate allows for the input to be reversed (1 to 0, 0 to 1). AND Gates requires two inputs to be of high value (1), or else the output will be of 0. Finally, the XOR Gate allows for the addition between two inputs(0+1=1, 1+1=0).

Throughout the lab, these are the main factors towards the experiment, in which test the possible forms of output when these three logic gates are used. These include the binary adder and flip flop circuits.  These demonstrate not only the different effects it has on the outcome, but also how the circuits may also come together and affect the flow of the input, and subsequently, the outcome.

Through the sorting algorithm test, the lab demonstrates through the differences of different forms of sorting algorithms: permutation, insertion, and merging. Through the forms of the lab, the three sorting algorithms are demonstrated through their methods of evaluation, and subsequently their efficiency.

To start, we begin the evaluation of the insertion sorting method. With this method, the algorithm creates a sorting array of which involves such going through one frame at a time. As such, this demonstrates inefficiency due to a number of arrays that form a common algorithm, as such proving to be taxing work, much like how a person is required to solve such a complex problem without a computer’s productivity.

Another sorting algorithm is the permutation method. Though this method, the function creates the possible outcomes of the input’s integration. Through which, it sets up the paradigm. After, with these, it searches through the possible solutions until the sorted solution is identified. However, this itself is also inefficient, as the requirement to sort the algorithm into the correct array requires numerous attempts, or which result in the necessary time to sort the algorithms and to locate the correct solution.

Finally, we arrive at the merge sorting algorithm, in which an algorithm is sorted through the method of dividing between the variables, which allows for the order of the elements, and subsequently an equal between the input and output. This method is the most efficient out of the three as to how it allows for the answer to be reached through sorting the array, ultimately coming to the output through the process of elimination, narrowing down the answer.

Ultimately, this shows the efficiency of merging over both insertion and permutation, as to how the former allows for the algorithm to be solved through equal input and output, whereas the other two really on more step by step processes that make them inefficient.

With the Digital Age comes an increase in the amount of personal data that is stored electronically. An article by Kurt Saunders and Bruce Zucker highlights the dangers of identity theft in a time of digital repositories of personal information. Banks, schools, hospitals, and countless other businesses now store information like our social security numbers, dates of birth, and addresses in online databases that can be hacked. Grinnell College students experienced a social security number hack first hand this year! Digitized information makes it easier for thieves to assume someone else’s identity and withdraw money from their bank account or take out credit cards in their name without the intention of ever paying the money back. As such, the question is, just how can such a matter affect a person, and how is it being combatted.

There are two practical issues related to identity theft. A person’s identity is a fundamental component of financial institutions; banks don’t give loans to those unlikely to repay them. A person can open lines of credit with no intent to repay under a false identity, thus gaining access to otherwise unattainable resources and damaging the victim’s ability to do the same. The real-world case of Terry Rogan, a man from Michigan, depicts issues related to law enforcement; Rogan’s identity was assumed by a fleeing convict, who later had an arrest warrant for murder issued in Los Angeles. The real Rogan’s information was placed in a national database, and every subsequent interaction he had with law-enforcement back in Michigan was governed by that. Rogan was detained several times on suspicion of a murder he didn’t commit after otherwise routine traffic stops.  This scenario is not too far fetched for anyone, and brings the question, on just what is being done to counteract potential threats.

Due to identity theft becoming a real threat to almost anyone in the Digital Age, repercussions have been made in order to keep people and their information safe. In what was necessary, the government initially did not have laws that would qualify online identity theft as a criminal offense. Originally, they could only utilize laws that made unpermitted payments and fraud illegal, but this failed to reach the extent of being able to proactively combat against the growing threat of identity theft. Eventually in 1998, the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act was passed. This act allowed for identity theft to be combatted against. First, it allowed for the government to charge against online identity theft as a criminal offense with severe prosecution against perpetrators, and the act also allowed more people to become more aware of online safety due to federal regulations to educate people in schools of the dangers of the web. While it’s hard to say if such actions will truly prevent people from suffering identity theft, it’s a start towards combatting against the crime, as people recognize it’s severity to the victims and the public, as well as prompting them to take a stand against such crimes in order to combat against it.

Within Python, the program’s main function is its the ability towards identification and commands. The Python file, in layman’s terms, has two main parts, the coding identification, and the running program.

WIthin the coding and identification of the Python file, one must be clear and follow the necessary rules of code so that the system may be able to identify the commands instructed by the written program. In order for the program module to work, the student has to clarify what is to be included in their module, such as if they’re writing a sentence, they must identify the different sections as placeholders for what is to be written in by the computer’s command. Second, a student must identify what is to be inserted for these actions, whether a specific word or number, this is necessary for the program to work.

Finally, the student must then run the module and utilize the actions originally programmed within the first part, which allows for the program to run effieicently if all is done right.

Within the study of Image Representation, it was demonstrated just how the concept works. In the set-up labs within the class, it was first started through explaining the concept of positive and negative integers used in order to represent the limit of an image. This is due to the limits of a 16-bit integer in how it is able to carry out an image.

Furthermore, in the case of distinction, there are forms of GIFs and the JPEG images. JPEG is the most common form of images, which are also used for digital cameras. They are adjustable through their compression and their sizing, in which either one can be correlated through commands upon the commands through a menu. GIFs, however, are different, as they cannot be changed on the basis of lossless compression mode, in which it cannot be changed in size, but this allows for smaller storage space.

In this matter, the lab shows the different forms of image file storage in which it demonstrates its variants in image storage and how it follows through so, as well as how much has an effect on Images and their properties of representation and storage.

Reviewing back on one of the Linux Terminal,  I notice that through such, there is the matter of how computing is sustained. As with the multiple experiments an procedures, it demonstrates the complexity of computer programming. While it initially appeared to be a standard rule guideline, it was for this reason that the standard coding was introduced.

Through this, the coding introduced the step by step process in order to give us a sense of its workings. Computers, while highly advanced technology for this age, have always relied on coding as its main form of distinguishing commands, such as the simple form of addition and subtraction to correlate such. In such, however, the binary code used requires rules of addition and subtraction, as well as multiplication and subtraction in order to be fully capable to run a computer. All this is to ensure precise commands to any computer so that it is functional to it’s highest ability.