1 - Systems Architecture Flashcards
What is a general purpose computer?
A computer that is designed to be able to carry out many different tasks
Give a few examples of a general purpose computer
- PCs
- Tablets
- Smartphones
- Game consoles
- Media systems in cars
Why is a Tablet considered a general purpose computer?
Like PCs, they can run a variety of applications
Why is Smartphones considered a general purpose computer?
Today’s smartphones can also run a variety of applications
Why is Game consoles considered a general purpose computer?
Modern consoles allow users to watch videos, play music and browse the internet
As well as games
Why is Media systems in cars considered a general purpose computer?
Allow users to navigate, listen to music and connect to a smartphone
As well as games
What is an application?
A software program that allows a user to perform a specific task
Give some examples of applications
Tasks general purpose computers can do
- Access the internet
- Browse the world wide web
- Use word processing software
- Play games
- Communicate via email and social media
- Design and build web pages
What is Hardware?
The physical parts of a computer system.
Give some examples of hardware
- A graphics card
- Hard disk drive
- CD drive.
What is Software?
The programs, applications and data in a computer system.
Any parts of a computer system that aren’t physical.
What is the purpose of the CPU?
- To process data and instructions
- To control the rest of the computer system
What is the CPU also known as?
The brain of the computer
What 3 parts make up the CPU?
- CU
- ALU
- Cache
ALU - Arithmetic Logic Unit
CU - Control Unit
What’s the purpose of the CU?
- Manages the fetching, decoding and execution of program instructions
- To control the flow of data inside the CPU (to registers) and outside the CPU (cache etc)
What’s the purpose of the ALU?
- Does all the calculations
- Preforms logic operations and binary shifts
- Contains the accumulator register
What’s the purpose of cache?
- Very fast memory
- Low capacity
- Stores regularly used data
Where is the cache located?
The Processor
What happens when the CPU requests data?
It checks the cache first and if its not there it’ll fetch it from the RAM
What is an advantage of regularly used data being stored in the Cache?
This allows for faster processing as the processor does not have to wait for the data and instructions to be fetched from the RAM.
What is the purpose of a computer?
To take data, process it, then output it
Why are computers useful?
- They complete tasks more efficiently than humans
- They help process data
Give some examples of software
- An OS
- Word processor
- Video game
OS - Operating System
What is a dedicated system?
A system designed for one particular function
Give some examples of dedicated systems
- Controlling traffic lights
- An aeroplane
What is an embedded system?
A special purpose computer built into another device.
Give some examples of embedded systems
- Dishwashers
- Microwaves
- TVs
What are Embedded systems often use as?
Control systems
They monitor and control machinery in order to achieve a desired result
Give an example of a control system being used in an embedded system
In a dishwasher
- The embedded system could control the water pumps and water release mechanisms
- Manage the various dishwasher cycles
- Control the thermostat to keep the water at an appropriate temperature
In which year did Von Neumann come up with his design?
1945
What happens when the CPU requests data?
It checks the cache first and if its not there it’ll fetch it from the RAM
What are registers?
Registers are small amounts of high-speed memory contained within the CPU
Give some examples of some registers
- Program counter
- Memory address register (MAR)
- Memory data register (MDR)
- Current instruction register (CIR)
- Accumulator (ACC)
What are some jobs of a register?
- The address of the next instruction to be executed
- The current instruction being decoded
- The results of calculations
What are the 3 types of buses used?
- Data bus
- Address bus
- Control bus
What is clock speed?
The speed of a computer’s CPU
This indicates the number of fetch-decode-execute cycles that can run per second.
What is clock speed measured in?
Hertz
What is a core?
A processing unit within a CPU
