← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What the universal serial bus (USB) is

Universal Serial Bus: a standard interface for connecting devices like keyboards, drives and phones to a computer and transferring data between them.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 2.1 Data Transmission Types and Methods — Module 34

Understanding What the universal serial bus (USB) is in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: Keyboards, drives and phones are different devices, but they all use the same USB standard to connect to the computer. Once connected through USB, data can move between the device and the computer, such as copying photos from a phone. USB is a hardware interface and standard. It is not software for security. USB is a connection method for moving data. Storage is done by devices such as drives, not by USB itself. USB is a serial interface, so bits are sent one after another. Sending many bits at once is parallel transmission. USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. 'Universal' means one standard is used by many kinds of device.

Common mistakes: USB is a standard interface for connecting devices to a computer, not a wireless network. Line 2 should be type = 'standard interface'. The program sets the interface to USB, so the keyboard should connect using the variable interface (USB). HDMI is mainly for video.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 131–141) and word search (Modules 121–141).

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Learning

Duo

What does the abbreviation USB stand for?

Universal Speed BoostUniversal Serial Bus

Matches

USB = Universal Switching Bus

↓

The name is wrong. USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, not Universal Switching Bus.

Applying

Meanings

Term

USB

Meaning

Universal Serial Bus: a standard interface for connecting devices like keyboards, drives and phones to a computer and transferring data between them.

Practice

FOR EACH device IN ["keyboard", "drive", "phone"]

Testing

Gaps

CONNECT keyboard TO computer VIA

Check Answer

Spots

1USB = 'Universal Serial Bus'

2type = 'wireless network'

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Quick Questions

1. What does the abbreviation USB stand for?

A. Universal Speed Boost

B. Universal Serial Bus ✓

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. It is a standard way of connecting devices to a computer.

2. Which statement best describes USB?

A. A standard interface for connecting devices to a computer and transferring data ✓

B. A program that protects a computer from viruses

USB is a hardware interface and standard. It is not software for security.

3. Which of these devices can connect to a computer using USB?

A. A keyboard ✓

B. None of them, because USB only works with memory sticks

Many peripherals use USB, including keyboards, mice, printers, flash drives and phones.

4. Why is USB called a 'universal' standard?

A. Many different types of device from many makers can use the same standard ✓

B. It can only be used with one brand of computer

Because USB is a shared standard, lots of different devices can connect to computers in the same way.

5. What is the main job of USB?

A. To store all of a computer's files permanently

B. To connect a device to a computer and transfer data between them ✓

USB is a connection method for moving data. Storage is done by devices such as drives, not by USB itself.

Match the Pairs

USB → Universal Serial Bus: a standard interface for connecting devices to a computer and transferring data between them

Universal Serial Bus → The full name of USB, a standard shared by many different devices

USB is a standard interface, so many different peripherals can connect to a computer in the same way → keyboard, flash drive, phone -> USB port

USB lets a connected device transfer data to and from a computer → phone <-> USB <-> computer

USB = Universal Switching Bus → The name is wrong. USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, not Universal Switching Bus.

Each device type needs its own different standard instead of USB → This is wrong because USB is a single standard shared by many devices such as keyboards, drives and phones.

Key Term

USB

Universal Serial Bus: a standard interface for connecting devices like keyboards, drives and phones to a computer and transferring data between them.

Fill in the Blanks

1. CONNECT keyboard TO computer VIA USB

Hint: Type the three-letter name of the interface used to connect the keyboard.

2. // USB = Universal Serial Bus

Hint: Type the word that describes how USB sends data, one bit after another.

3. // USB is a standard used by many devices

Hint: Type the word for an agreed set of rules that many different devices share.

4. CONNECT phone TO computer VIA USB

Hint: Type the main device that the peripheral is plugged into.

5. // USB is an interface between device and PC

Hint: Type the word for a connection point that lets two devices exchange data.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A USB = 'Universal Serial Bus'

B type = 'wireless network'

C use = 'connect peripherals'

Line B — USB is a standard interface for connecting devices to a computer, not a wireless network. Line 2 should be type = 'standard interface'.

Question 2

A device = 'keyboard'

B interface = 'USB'

C connect(device, 'HDMI')

Line C — The program sets the interface to USB, so the keyboard should connect using the variable interface (USB). HDMI is mainly for video.

Question 3

A devices = ['keyboard', 'CPU']

B devices.append('phone')

C connect_all(devices, USB)

Line A — A keyboard and a drive are peripherals that connect by USB. The CPU is inside the computer, so it is not a USB device. Line 1 should list 'drive'.

Question 4

A standard ← USB

B devices ← [mouse, phone]

C FOR EACH d IN standard

D CONNECT d USING standard

Line C — The loop must go through each device in the devices list and connect it using the USB standard. It should be FOR EACH d IN devices.

Question 5

A OUTPUT 'USB stands for'

B OUTPUT 'Universal Series Bus'

C OUTPUT 'standard interface'

Line B — USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. 'Serial' is the correct word, not 'Series'.

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