CAMBRIDG

2.2 Methods of error detection E IGCSE

(0478/0984)

The need for error checking

2.2 Methods of error detection | The need for error checking CAMBRIDGE IGCSE (0478/0984)

The need for error checking

We send and receive vast amounts of data. One zebibyte is 1,180,591,620,717,411,303,424 (1.1 sextillion) bytes.

Volume of data/information created, captured, copied and consumed worldwide

200
181
175

150 147
Data volume in zebibytes

125 120

100 97
79
75 64.2
50 41
33
26
25
12.5 15.5 18
5 6.5 9
2
0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
2.2 Methods of error detection | The need for error checking CAMBRIDGE IGCSE (0478/0984)

The
Titleneed for error checking
text
With the complexity of computers and the vast amounts of 1s and 0s being transmitted, there is always a possibility that data
can be lost, gained or changed along the way.
2.2 Methods of error detection | The need for error checking CAMBRIDGE IGCSE (0478/0984)

The need for error checking

text
With the complexity of computers and the vast amounts of 1s and 0s being transmitted, there is always a possibility that
data can be lost, gained or changed along the way.

Interference Packet switching

Every type of cable can suffer
from electrical interference,
which can cause data to become
lost or corrupt – i.e., 1s become
0s and 0s become 1s.
Issues during the packet switching
process can cause data to be lost
– or in some cases, gained.
2.2 Methods of error detection | The need for error checking CAMBRIDGE IGCSE (0478/0984)

Error checking methods

Parity
checks

Automatic
Parity block
Repeat
checks
Query (ARQ)

Error detection
methods

Check digits Checksums

Echo checks
2.2 Methods of error detection | The need for error checking CAMBRIDGE IGCSE (0478/0984)

The need for error checking

When data is transmitted, there is always a possibility that data can be lost, gained or changed.

The most common reasons for data corruption are:

• Electrical interference (noise)
• Problems during packet switching

Common methods of error checking include:

• Parity checks
• Checksums
• Echo checks
• Automatic Repeat Query (ARQ)