1.1 Computer Systems Flashcards
What is a register?
A register is a small space where data may be hold while instructions are actively being executed. A register could also have other purposes such as the ALU which does basic arithmetic.
What is a CPU?
A CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the main brains of a computer system which performs instructions and manages how data flows around a system.
What is a clock?
A clock is a regular pulse that is performed to make sure that the CPU is kept in time. The clock determines how fast the processor can do instructions.
What is a core?
A core is a unit that can individually perform the fetch-decode-execute cycle on instructions. If multiple cores are present, multiple cycles can be done at the same time (one per core)
What is cache?
Cache is a small piece of volatile memory very close to the CPU and it’s registers that is used to store frequently and recently used instructions.
What is the arithmetic logic unit in a CPU?
The arithmetic logic unit in a CPU is used to perform basic maths such as add and subtract calculations.
What is an embedded system?
An embedded system is computer system that is part of a larger object / product and is a key part of the larger objects operation.
What is a program counter?
The program counter is a register that records the position of the currently running instruction in the list of instructions to be ran.
What is the Von Neumann architecture?
The Von Neumann architecture is a simple architecture which many computers are based on. One fetch-decode-execute cycle is done at a time and memory is shared for both instructions and data.
What is a Gigahertz (Ghz)?
A gigahertz is a unit of measure to measure the clock speed of a CPU. 1 GigaHertz = 1,000,000,000 Hertz and indicates that the CPU can perform 1 billion clock cycles per second.
What is an instruction?
An instruction is typically part of an algorithm that is part of the steps needed to perform a task.
What is an accumulator?
An accumulator is a register inside of the CPU that is used to store the immediate results of the ALU.
What is a control unit?
The control unit is a part of the CPU that directs the flow of data and instructions inside and around the CPU.
What is the memory address register?
The memory address register is a register that stores the address in RAM that the CPU will send or receive data from.
What is the memory data register?
The memory data register is a register that stores the result of data fetched or the data to be saved to the address stored in the memory address register.
