0 All Topics Flashcards
Describe what happens in the “fetch” part of the fetch-execute cycle? (3)
- The address of the instruction to be fetched is placed into the MAR. 2. The instruction is fetched from memory. 3. The instruction is transferred to the MDR.
Describe what happens in the “decode” part of the fetch-execute cycle? (1)
The computer decodes the instruction by deciding which instruction should be carried out.
Describe what happens in the “execute” part of the fetch-execute cycle? (1)
- The decoded instruction is then executed so that the CPU performs continuously
Describe what happens at the end of the fetch execute cycle? (2)
- The process is repeated 2. The program counter is incremented
What operations does the ALU perform? (1)
- Arithmetic and logic operations
What does the Control Unit (CU) do? (1)
Manages the FDE Cycle
What is a CPU register? (1)
- The section of high-speed memory within the CPU that stores data to be processed.
State two features of the MAR? (2)
- It is a register 2. It stores a single address
What is the function of the MAR? (2)
- Stores the address of the instruction or data that is going to be fetched 2. Holds the address in memory where data is going to be transferred to
What is the function of the MDR? (1)
- Stores the fetched instruction/ the instruction to be processed
What is the function of the Program Counter? (1)
- Stores the address of the next (or current) instruction to be run
What is the function of the Accumulator? (1)
- Stores the result of calculations/processes
Why does cache size affect the performance of the CPU (2)
Data is transferred faster (1) Makes the CPU more efficient (1)
How can having a higher processor affect the performance of the CPU (2)
Faster/ Higher clock speed (1) More Fetch Execute Cycles (1) More Instructions can be executed per second
Explain why having a quad- core processor will not always run twice as fast as a dual- core processor (3)
Software may be designed to run 1 core and not multiple (1) Dual core may have a faster clock speed than a quad core (1) Quad core may have less RAM (1) Quad core may have less cache (1)
What is Cache Memory (2)
High speed memory inside the processor (1) that stores frequently used insructions (1)
Define what is meant by an ‘embedded system’ (1)
A computer system that is built into another device (1)
Identify 3 devices that contain embedded systems (3)
Sat Nav (1) Dishwasher (1) MP3 player (1) Washing machine (1) Manufacturing equipment (1)
Identify 2 characteristics of an embedded system (2)
They have limited functions (1) and are often built into larger machines (1)
What is primary memory? (1)
Memory directly accessed by the CPU.
What are the two types of primary memory? (2)
RAM (1) ROM (1)
What is the purpose of ROM? (3)
Stores BIOS (1) Stores boot up instructions (1) Stores data that should not be changed (1)
Is ROM volatile or non volatile? (1)
Non volatile (1)
What is the purpose of RAM? (2)
Stores currently running programs (1) and data (1)
Is RAM volatile or non volatile? (1)
Volatile (1)
Why do computers need virtual memory? (2)
When RAM is full (1) secondary storage is used as temporary RAM (1)
How does virtual memory work? (4)
When RAM is full (1) data from RAM is moved to secondary storage to make space (1) RAM can then be filled with new data (1) When data in virtual memory is needed it is moved back to RAM (1)
Why is secondary storage needed on a computer system? (2)
To store files (1) including when the computer is turned off (1)
What are the characteristics of Magnetic Disk Storage e.g. HDD? (3)
Large capacity (1) relatively cheap (1) sensitive to movement due to moving parts (1)
What are the characteristics of Solid State (flash) storage? (3)
Lower capacity (1) relatively expensive (1) no moving parts so not sensitive to movement (1)
What are the characteristics of Optical Disc storage? (3)
Low capacity (1) very cheap per disc (1) moving parts so can’t be moved while running (1)
List the 6 characteristics of secondary storage. (6)
Cost Capacity Reliability Speed Portability Durability (Computers Can Really Store Petabytes of Data)
What are the three types of secondary storage? (3)
Magnetic Disk (1) Optical Disk (1) Solid State (1)
Why does data need to be stored as binary? (1)
Computers can only understand binary (1)
How do you calculate the size of a sound file? (3)
Sample rate (1) x duration in seconds (1) x bit depth (1)
How do you calculate the size of an image file? (3)
Colour depth (1) x image height in pixels (1) x image width in pixels (1)
How do you calculate the size of a text file? (2)
Bits per character (1) x number of characters (1)
What are the units of file sizes, smallest to largest? (8)
Bit Nibble Byte Kilobyte Megabyte Gigabyte Terabyte Petabyte
How many bits in a byte? (1)
8
How many bits in a nibble? (1)
4
How do you convert from a unit of file size to a larger unit?
Divide by 1000 per step (unless it’s nibbles or bits to byte)
How do you convert from a unit of file size to a smaller unit?
Multiply by 1000 per step (unless it’s bytes to nibble / bit)
What is 0101 in denary? (1)
5
What is 11001111 in denary? (1)
207
What is 151 in binary? (2)
10010111 (1 mark per nibble)
What are the rules of binary addition? (4)
0 + 0 = 0. 0 + 1 = 1. 1 + 1 = 0 carry 1. 1 + 1 + 1 = 1 carry 1.
What is an overflow error? (2)
An extra carry bit (1) that cannot fit into the bits provided (1).
Convert 39 from hexadecimal to denary (1)
57
Convert 203 from denary to hexadecimal (2)
CB (one mark per digit)
Convert 10010011 from binary to hexadecimal (2)
93 (one mark per digit)
Convert FA from hexadecimal to binary (2)
11111010 (one mark per nibble)
How can you multiply a binary number by 2? (1)
Move all of the bits 1 place to the left.
How can you divide a binary number by 2? (1)
Move all the bits 1 place to the right.
What is a character set? (1)
The characters a computer system understands / displays.
How many potential characters can you store with a byte? (1)
256
How many potential characters can you store with 7 bits? (1)
128
How many characters can ASCII represent? (1)
128
How many characters can Unicode represent? (1)
256
If the binary code for “A” was 65 what would be the code for “D”?
68
Describe how a character set would be used to store the string “Hello world!” (2)
Each character in a character set has a unique binary value. (1) The binary values of each character are recalled in order. (1)
How are images stored in binary? (3)
The image is split up into pixels. (1) Each pixel is given a binary code. (1) Which represents the colour of that pixel. (1)
What is metadata? (1)
Data about data. Data about an image / sound file.
What might metadata store about an image? (2)
Height (1) width (1) colour depth (1) resolution (1) author (1)
What is the impact of increasing colour depth on an image file? (2)
More colours will be available (1) file size will increase (1)
What is the impact of increasing resolution of an image file? (2)
More pixels will be used, increasing the detail of the image. (1) The file size will increase (1)
How is sound stored in binary? (2)
The height of the sound wave is sampled at regular intervals (1) and converted to binary (1)
What is the impact of increasing the bit depth on an audio file? (2)
The sound reproduced will be closer to the original (1) but file size will increase (1)
What is the impact of increasing the sample rate of an audio file? (2)
The wavelength is sampled more often so the sound reproduced will be closer to the original (1) but file size will increase (1)
Why is compression useful? (2)
It reduces file size (1) so files take less space on secondary storage (1)
What are the benefits of lossy compression? (4)
Lossy means the decompressed file is not identical to the original (1) however the difference is unlikely to be noticed by humans. (1) Lossy will decrease file size (1) so files are easier to store or send. (1)
What are the benefits of lossless compression? (2)
Lossless means the decompressed file is identical to the original. (1) The file size will decrease, but not as much as lossy. (1)
What are the two types of network? (2)
LAN (Local Area Network) & WAN (Wide Area Network)
What is a LAN? (2)
Computers connected together (1) in a small geographic area (1)
What is a WAN? (2)
A network over a large geographic area (1) that uses external hardware or the internet (1)
What are three factors that would affect the performance of a network? (3)
Bandwidth of network (1) number of devices connected (1) distance to WAP if wireless (1)
What is the role of a switch? (2)
It connects devices on a network (1) using MAC addresses (1)
What is the role of a router? (2)
It connects networks together eg network to internet (1) using IP addresses.
What is the role of a wireless access point (WAP)? (1)
It broadcasts a wireless signal allowing devices to communicate with a network (1)
What is the role of the NIC? (2)
Stores the device’s MAC address (1) allows the device to connect to networks (1)
What are the key features of a Peer to Peer (P2P) network? (4)
Devices are directly connected to each other (1) devices are independent / equal (1) devices install software / updates individually (1) if any device fails the remainder can continue (1)
What are the key features of a Client / Server network? (4)
Devices are connected via a switch (1) software and updates can be installed from a central machine (1) requires a specialist to set up (1) hard to add new nodes (1)
Name a wired mode of connection (1)
Ethernet(1)
Name two wireless connection methods (2)
Wi-fi (1) Bluetooth (1)
What is encryption? (3)
An algorithm(1) that disguises data (1) so it can only be understood by authorised users (1)
Give three features of an IP(v4) address (3)
4 bytes long (1) normally written in denary (1) configured in software (1).
Give three features of an IP(v6) address (3)
16 bytes long (1) normally written in hex
(1) configured in software (1).
Give three features of a MAC address (3)
6 bytes long(1) normally written in hex (1) configured by hardware (1).
Which addressing mode is used to route data over the internet? (1)
IP addressing (1)
Which addressing mode is used to route data within a LAN? (1)
MAC addressing (1)
What are standards? (1)
Rules that allow hardware and software made by different providers to interact (1). Eg Ethernet or HTML
What is a network protocol? (1)
A set of rules for data transmission (1)
What is TCP / IP used for? (2)
IP finds the address of a device (1) TCP transfers data (1)
What is HTTP used for? (1)
Transmitting websites (HTML) (1)
What is HTTPS used for? (1)
Transmits websites securely (1) using encryption (1)
What is a layer in a network protocol? (1)
A division of network functionality (1) (This means it’s one part of the algorithms that make a network run)
What are the advantages of splitting a network protocol into layers? (4)
Layers are self contained (1) which allows different developers to concentrate on one aspect of the network. (1) A layer can be taken out and edited without affecting other layers (1) which means different vendors and systems can work together. (1)
What is FTP? (2)
File Transfer Protocol (1) transfers files using client / server. (1)
What is POP? (3)
Post Office Protocol. (1) An email protocol (1) that delivers an e-mail and doesn’t keep a copy on a server. (1)
What is IMAP? (3)
Instant Message Access Protocol. (1) An email protocol (1) that allows a user to access emails stored on a server. (1)
What is SMTP? (3)
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol. (1) An email protocol (1) for sending emails. (1)