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Computer Science > 1 - Systems Architecture > Flashcards

1 - Systems Architecture Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a general purpose computer?

A

A computer that is designed to be able to carry out many different tasks

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2
Q

Give a few examples of a general purpose computer

A
  • PCs
  • Tablets
  • Smartphones
  • Game consoles
  • Media systems in cars
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3
Q

Why is a Tablet considered a general purpose computer?

A

Like PCs, they can run a variety of applications

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4
Q

Why is Smartphones considered a general purpose computer?

A

Today’s smartphones can also run a variety of applications

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5
Q

Why is Game consoles considered a general purpose computer?

A

Modern consoles allow users to watch videos, play music and browse the internet

As well as games

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6
Q

Why is Media systems in cars considered a general purpose computer?

A

Allow users to navigate, listen to music and connect to a smartphone

As well as games

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7
Q

What is an application?

A

A software program that allows a user to perform a specific task

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8
Q

Give some examples of applications

Tasks general purpose computers can do

A
  • 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
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9
Q

What is Hardware?

A

The physical parts of a computer system.

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10
Q

Give some examples of hardware

A
  • A graphics card
  • Hard disk drive
  • CD drive.
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11
Q

What is Software?

A

The programs, applications and data in a computer system.

Any parts of a computer system that aren’t physical.

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12
Q

What is the purpose of the CPU?

A
  • To process data and instructions
  • To control the rest of the computer system
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13
Q

What is the CPU also known as?

A

The brain of the computer

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14
Q

What 3 parts make up the CPU?

A
  • CU
  • ALU
  • Cache

ALU - Arithmetic Logic Unit
CU - Control Unit

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15
Q

What’s the purpose of the CU?

A
  • 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)
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16
Q

What’s the purpose of the ALU?

A
  • Does all the calculations
  • Preforms logic operations and binary shifts
  • Contains the accumulator register
17
Q

What’s the purpose of cache?

A
  • Very fast memory
  • Low capacity
  • Stores regularly used data
18
Q

Where is the cache located?

A

The Processor

19
Q

What happens when the CPU requests data?

A

It checks the cache first and if its not there it’ll fetch it from the RAM

20
Q

What is an advantage of regularly used data being stored in the Cache?

A

This allows for faster processing as the processor does not have to wait for the data and instructions to be fetched from the RAM.

21
Q

What is the purpose of a computer?

A

To take data, process it, then output it

22
Q

Why are computers useful?

A
  • They complete tasks more efficiently than humans
  • They help process data
23
Q

Give some examples of software

A
  • An OS
  • Word processor
  • Video game

OS - Operating System

24
Q

What is a dedicated system?

A

A system designed for one particular function

25
Q

Give some examples of dedicated systems

A
  • Controlling traffic lights
  • An aeroplane
26
Q

What is an embedded system?

A

A special purpose computer built into another device.

27
Q

Give some examples of embedded systems

A
  • Dishwashers
  • Microwaves
  • TVs
28
Q

What are Embedded systems often use as?

A

Control systems

They monitor and control machinery in order to achieve a desired result

28
Q

Give an example of a control system being used in an embedded system

A

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
29
Q

In which year did Von Neumann come up with his design?

A

1945

29
Q

What happens when the CPU requests data?

A

It checks the cache first and if its not there it’ll fetch it from the RAM

30
Q

What are registers?

A

Registers are small amounts of high-speed memory contained within the CPU

31
Q

Give some examples of some registers

A
  • Program counter
  • Memory address register (MAR)
  • Memory data register (MDR)
  • Current instruction register (CIR)
  • Accumulator (ACC)
32
Q

What are some jobs of a register?

A
  • The address of the next instruction to be executed
  • The current instruction being decoded
  • The results of calculations
33
Q

What are the 3 types of buses used?

A
  • Data bus
  • Address bus
  • Control bus
34
Q

What is clock speed?

A

The speed of a computer’s CPU

This indicates the number of fetch-decode-execute cycles that can run per second.

35
Q

What is clock speed measured in?

A

Hertz

36
Q

What is a core?

A

A processing unit within a CPU

Computer Science (13 decks)

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