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gcse computing > 3 computers > Flashcards

3 computers Flashcards

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1
Q

what does ram stand for

A

random access memory (it is volatile)

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2
Q

what is a von neuman architecture

A

a computer with stored programs

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3
Q

how are von neuman archtitectures different from calculators

A

calculators only take inputs and outputs

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4
Q

how can saved data be lost

A
  • hard drives can fail
  • in a magnetic disk, the motor can break or the drive head can crash into the disk
  • USB removeable storage may short circuit and fail
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5
Q

how can we prevent losing saved data

A
  • backup: store on another disk, usually on another location
  • incremental: data backups only new data since previous backups
  • if data is lost, it can be restored from a backup
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6
Q

what does antimalware do

A
  • prevents malware by scanning the computer then quarintining it
  • or scannng downloads b4 use
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7
Q

different types of malware

A
  • computer virus
  • spyware
  • trojan horse
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8
Q

what does a computer virus do

A
  • damages files and programs
  • tries to infect other computers after
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9
Q

what does spyware do

A
  • records keystrokes
  • records personal info
  • sends it to the hacker
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10
Q

what does trojan horse do

A
  • hides malicious code in a useful looking program
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11
Q

what does the CPU do

A

carries out instructions stored by the memory, billions of times a second

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12
Q

what are the components of the CPU

A
  • control unit
  • registers
  • ALU
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13
Q

what does the control unit do

A
  • decodes instructions
  • controls timing operations in the CPU
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14
Q

what do the registers do

A

store data, instructions, and results

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15
Q

what does the ALU do

A

performs arithmetic and logic operations

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16
Q

what is the fetch execute cycle

A

The basic operation of a computer

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16
Q

what happens during the fetch stage

A
  • fetches the next instruction from the main memory
  • brings it to the CPU
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17
Q

what happens during the decode stage

A
  • inspects the instruction and works out what it is that needs doing
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18
Q

what happens during the execute stage

A
  • carries out the instruction
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19
Q

give examples of the execute stage

A
  • performing a calculation
  • storing information back into memory
  • grabbing data back from the main memory
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20
Q

what is the clock speed

A

the pulse on the internal clock where evrything happens (faster clock speed = faster instructions)

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21
Q

what are registers

A

tiny, super fast pieces of onboard memory inside the CPU, each with a very specific purpose

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22
Q

define volatile

A

temporary memory while the computer is still on

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23
Q

define drives

A

the device that reads and writes data from secondary storage

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24
Q

define media

A

what data is actually stored on

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25
Q

what are the common types of storage

A
  • optical
  • magnetic
  • solid state
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26
Q

qualities of optical storage

A
  • low capacity compared to others
  • slow to access data
  • thin, lightweight and portable
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27
Q

qualities of magnetic storage

A
  • high storage capacity
  • quick access to data
  • eventually failing moving parts
  • perform better when defragmented
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28
Q

qualities of solid state storage

A
  • medium storage capacity
  • very quick to access data
  • no moving parts
  • reliable
  • low power
  • no need to defragment
  • limited number of read / write cycle
  • expensive compared to other types
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29
Q

what is a system software

A

the software that provides a platform for other softwares to work (includes operating systems and utility programs)

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30
Q

what is an operating system

A

manages computer hardware, users and the resources used by the software and managing many things like processes

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31
Q

examples of what operating system manage

A
  • file management
  • process management
  • peripheral management
  • user management
  • user interface
  • memory management
  • multitasking
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32
Q

what is process management

A

programs needed to be ran by the cpu

33
Q

steps of the life cycle in process management

A
  • creation
  • ready
  • running
  • blocked
  • termination
34
Q

what happens in the creation stage in process management

A

when the program is opened, and it creates one or more processes

35
Q

what happens in the ready stage in process management

A

the operating system moves the process instructions into RAM

36
Q

what happens in the running stage in process management

A

the operating system moves the process to the CPU

37
Q

what happens in the blocked stage in process management

A

waiting for user input or another resource

38
Q

what happens in the termination stage in process management

A

the software has stopped running or permanently removing the program

39
Q

describe how memory management works for a program to run

A
  • computer copies the program storage and the data it uses into main memory
  • operating system keeps a record of where each program and memory is stored
  • it makes sure not to overwrite existing programs and data
40
Q

what is multitasking

A

where an operating system manages main tasks happening all at the same time

41
Q

give an example of multitasking in computers

A
  • ## messaging friends while playing music
42
Q

how does multitasking work

A
  • many other background processes are running
  • the operating decides which process will next run on the CPU and for how long
43
Q

what is an interrupt

A
  • signals sent to the CPU by external devices
  • indicates an event that needs immediate attention
44
Q

what are hardware interrupts

A

generated by hardware devices

45
Q

what are software interrupts

A

generated by programs

46
Q

give examples of peripheral management

A
  • mice
  • keyboard
  • printers
  • display
  • digital camera
  • graphical tablets
47
Q

what is a device driver

A
  • a program that controls peripheral devices
  • (communicates with the OS via its own drive that may come with an operating system
  • supplied by a driver you’ll need to install
48
Q

how does sending data to a computer work

A
  • process is much faster than the printing process
  • sent to a printing queue or buffer (special area of memory in a computer print saver or the computer itself)
49
Q

what is the printing queue

A
  • shows the status of each job, and whether its printing or waiting for its turn
50
Q

how does access rights work

A
  • if a computer has more than one user, the user should be able to see only their files
  • users and system administrastors have different levels of access rights
  • some users may be able to read the files but not edit them
51
Q

Define what is meant by an embedded system

A
  • a computer system which is built into another device
  • cannot be changed without replacing the hardware in which it is embedded
52
Q

what is utility software

A
  • programs that perform extra functionality and housekeeping tasks that keep computers running efficiently
  • (part of the operating system but may be a stand alone)
53
Q

why do we need disk defragmentation

A

when you save a large file and it may not fit on the disk in consecutive memory locations

54
Q

what happens during disk defragmentation

A
  • reorganises the files so they are stored together
  • makes it faster to read
  • free space is in one place so new files won’t need to be fragmented
55
Q

what is data compression software

A
  • enables users to compress and decompress files or folders so that it reduces the amount of storage space needed on a disk
  • it reduces the data sent as more data is stored on backup files
  • may allow attatchements to be sent via email that would otherwise have been larger than a file size limit
56
Q

what is file repair

A
  • prevents the file being opened by the normal program it’s made for
  • especially is the hard disk is failing or the power is lost
  • (sometimes, not all data can be recovered)
57
Q

what are the two different ways images can be stored as in binary

A

mindmaps or vectors

58
Q

what is a binary mindmap

A

constructed with coloured squares (pixels)

59
Q

what is metadata

A

additonal data stored with the image to define the width, height, colour depth, and palette

59
Q

what is a binary vector

A

store mathematics to draw coloured shapes

60
Q

what is robust software

A

the ability for an algorithm/program to continue to operate despite abnormalities in input, calculations etc.

61
Q

what are two technique codes we can use to identify robust software

A
  • code reviews
  • aduit trails
62
Q

what are code reviews

A

checks source code by other experienced programs to help identify bad programming practice, identify vulnerabilities in the code, and check efficiency of the code

63
Q

what are aduit trails

A
  • record of what has been done, and who or what did it
  • used to check what has happened
  • aids in being able to restore a system to previous state if needed
64
Q

what is assembly language

A
  • low level language
  • incredibly efficient but requires a great deal of intellectual effort to write and understand
  • translated by assembler into machine code for one specific processor only
65
Q

what is assembly language used for today

A

embedded systems and device drivers where instructing the hard drive is directly necessary

66
Q

what is short code

A
  • high level language
  • written in mathematic expressions
  • not compiled but excecuted through an interpeter
  • allows for basic arithmetic, branching and calls to library functions
67
Q

what is machine code

A

a program written in binary

68
Q

what makes source code high level

A
  • improved CPU’s
  • increased processor speed
  • increased memory capacity
69
Q

give examples of high level languages

A

python, java, lua, C, C++, C#, visual basic

70
Q

advantages of high level code

A
  • easier to learn
  • can be written faster
  • easier to understand and debug
71
Q

advantages of low level code

A
  • can run very quickly
  • usually requires less RAM
  • can be used to control and manipulate specific hardware components
72
Q

what is assembly code translated by

A

an assembler

73
Q

what is source code translated by

A
  • an interpreter
  • compiler
74
Q

what is an interpreter

A
  • translated high level source code into machine code to be processed by the CPU
  • while the program is running
75
Q

what is a compiler

A
  • translates high level source codes into object code and then machine code to be ran by the CPU
  • before it’s ran
76
Q

advantages of a compiler

A
  • no need for translation software of run time
  • faster speed excecution
  • usually optimised code
  • original source code kept seceret
77
Q

advantages of an interpreter

A
  • program will always run and stop at a syntax error (Easy to try command)
  • no need for recompiling
  • easy for beginner programmers
78
Q

disadvantages of a compiler

A
  • won’t run with syntax errors (harder to write)
  • code needs to be recompiled when changed
  • designed for a specific processor
79
Q

disadvantages of an interpreter

A
  • translation software needed at run time
  • slower speed excecution
  • non optimised code
  • source code isn’t needed

gcse computing (12 decks)

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