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Data Representation in Computing

Bring Data to Life

Matt Hogan

This online course from the Raspberry Pi Foundation explores how computers do interesting things with data. You'll discover how to represent and manipulate text, images and sound and compression and other algorithms.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Describe how computers represent things in binary
  • Explain common text encoding (ascii and utf-8)
  • Investigate the physics of sound, and how sampling allows computers to represent sounds
  • Compare lossy and lossless compression
  • Evaluate whether to use a bitmap or a vector image
  • Over the following three weeks, you will:

Syllabus

This course will cover:
Units of information
Character encoding
Representing images
Read more
Representing sound
Data compression

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores fundamental computing concepts that are used across many industries
Taught by instructors from the Raspberry Pi Foundation, who are established leaders in computer education
Provides a strong foundation for those new to computing and data
Covers core concepts in data representation, manipulation, and compression
Suitable for beginners with little to no prior knowledge in computing
Students should expect to spend time studying and completing assignments outside of class

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Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Data Representation in Computing: Bring Data to Life. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Data Representation in Computing: Bring Data to Life will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Computer Programmer
Computer Programmers use data representation to bring color and vibrancy to computer systems by instructing machines how to transform data into visuals, music, and more. The work that they complete is often task-based, but the results are often essential for how end-users interact with technology. Given that Computer Programmers deal with so many different types of media, understanding the concepts of data representation is key for success. This course covers the representation of text, sound, and images and will provide a strong foundation for a Computer Programmer's work.
Computer Systems Analyst
A thorough understanding of data representation is essential for the success of a Computer Systems Analyst. They work to transform business processes into computer-based systems and must have the skills to bridge between business teams and programmers. They must also be able to gather diverse requirements and translate them into functional specifications. The representation of data in varying formats and standards plays a significant role in the work of a Computer Systems Analyst.
Data Scientist
A Data Scientist typically possesses a strong understanding of advanced mathematical concepts and a background in data analysis. To discover meaningful insights from the data they analyze, Data Scientists must understand how data is represented and stored. This course covers the fundamentals of how machines represent data, which can help build a solid foundation for work in Data Science.
Software Developer
Software Developers may oversee all aspects of programming a given system. Given this, they will need the ability to work with different data types and understand how their formats impact the functionality of the software. This course covers the representation of both textual and non-textual data, which will be essential to success in Software Development.
Web Developer
Web Developers are tasked with designing, building, and maintaining websites. This requires a strong foundation in how computers represent information, as they work with different data types and formats on a daily basis. This course covers concepts in data compression and the representation of images, sound, and text. This can help a Web Developer understand how to effectively and efficiently serve web content to users.
IT Manager
IT Managers plan, implement, and maintain all aspects of an organization's IT infrastructure. They need to have a strong understanding of data representation and IT management principles. This course covers the fundamentals of data representation and can help build a solid foundation for IT Managers.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help businesses make informed decisions. They need to have a solid understanding of data representation and data analysis techniques. This course covers the fundamentals of data representation and can help build a strong foundation for Data Analysts.
Software Engineer
Software Engineers apply engineering principles to the design, development, and maintenance of software systems. They need to have a strong understanding of data representation and data structures. This course covers the fundamentals of data representation and can help build a solid foundation for Software Engineers.
Applications Developer
Applications Developers design and develop software applications. They need to have a strong understanding of data representation and software development principles. This course covers the fundamentals of data representation and can help build a solid foundation for Applications Developers.
Database Manager
Database Managers plan, implement, and maintain database systems. They need to have a strong understanding of data representation and database management principles. This course covers the fundamentals of data representation and can help build a solid foundation for Database Managers.
Computer Network Architect
Computer Network Architects design and build computer networks. They need to understand how data is represented and transmitted over networks to do their jobs effectively. This course covers the fundamentals of data representation and can help build a solid foundation for Computer Network Architects.
Database Administrator
A Database Administrator oversees the storage, maintenance, and recovery of data in an organization. To perform this job effectively, a person in this role needs to have an understanding of how database management systems represent and store data. This course covers the fundamentals of data representation and can help build a strong foundation for Database Administrators.
Computer Support Specialist
Computer Support Specialists help users troubleshoot computer problems and provide technical support. They need to understand how data is represented and stored to effectively diagnose and solve issues. This course covers the fundamentals of data representation and can help build a solid foundation for Computer Support Specialists.
Web Designer
Web Designers create and maintain websites. They need to have a strong understanding of data representation and web design principles. This course covers the fundamentals of data representation and can help build a solid foundation for Web Designers.
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts must understand data representation to stay ahead of security threats. They protect an organization's computer systems by designing and implementing security measures. This course will provide an overview of how computers represent data, which will aid in understanding how hackers try to exploit data.

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Data Representation in Computing: Bring Data to Life.
Classic work on computer programming. It covers a wide range of topics, including data structures, algorithms, and programming languages. It valuable resource for those seeking a deep understanding of the art of computer programming.
Collection of essays on programming. It covers a wide range of topics, including data structures, algorithms, and programming techniques. It valuable resource for those seeking to improve their programming skills and learn from one of the masters of the craft.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to algorithms and data structures. It covers topics such as sorting, searching, graph algorithms, and dynamic programming. It valuable resource for those seeking to develop a strong foundation in algorithms and data structures.
Provides a comprehensive overview of computer architecture and organization, covering topics such as binary representation, data representation, and data manipulation. It valuable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of the underlying principles of computing.
Provides a comprehensive guide to software development. It covers topics such as software design, coding, testing, and debugging. It valuable resource for those seeking to improve their software development skills and become more productive.
Classic work on software development. It covers topics such as software engineering, project management, and team dynamics. It valuable resource for those seeking to improve their software development skills and become more productive.
Classic work on software development. It covers topics such as team dynamics, motivation, and communication. It valuable resource for those seeking to improve their software development skills and become more productive.
Classic work on open source software development. It covers topics such as the history of open source software, the benefits of open source software, and the challenges of open source software development. It valuable resource for those seeking to learn more about open source software development.
Provides a comprehensive guide to using Git for version control. It covers topics such as branching, merging, and resolving conflicts. It valuable resource for those seeking to improve their Git skills and become more productive.
Provides a comprehensive guide to using Git for version control. It covers topics such as branching, merging, and resolving conflicts. It valuable resource for those seeking to improve their Git skills and become more productive.
Provides a comprehensive guide to preparing for programming interviews. It covers topics such as data structures, algorithms, and system design. It valuable resource for those seeking to improve their interview skills and land their dream job.
Provides a comprehensive introduction to data structures and algorithms in Java. It covers topics such as arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, and graphs. It valuable resource for those seeking to develop a strong foundation in data structures and algorithms.

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