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Gcse Paper 2 CS > 3.4 Computer Systems > Flashcards

3.4 Computer Systems Flashcards

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1
Q

What is hardware

A

Hardware is any physical component that makes up the computer

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2
Q

What is software

A

Software is any program that runs on the computer

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3
Q

What is system software ?

A

Programs that are needed to enable the computer to function, including the operating
system, utilities, library routines and programming language translators

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4
Q

What is application software

A

Programs that enable a user to perform a task: that is, something that user needs to do such as write essays (word docs e,g)

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5
Q

What is OS

A

A type of system software:

The operating system is a group of programs that manages the computers resources.

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6
Q

What does the OS manage:

A 
Processor(s)
Memory
I/O devices 
Applications
Security
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7
Q

OS:Processor Management

A

When multi tasking they applications aren’t running at the same time

The Os helps Running multiple applications at the same time by giving each application a small time-slice of processor time.

This allows more than one program to be held in memory at at time, and data shared between them such as copy and paste.

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8
Q

OS: Memory management

A

When programs are loaded, the OS decides where they are held in memory.

Overtime the memory becomes fragmented as programs are loaded and closed because they use different amounts of memory.

The OS must keep track of different program fragments.
When the memory is full, the OS uses virtual memory.

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9
Q

I/O &Device driver:OS

A

Translates operating system instructions into commands that the hardware will understand

Each peripheral (I/O) device needs one

Many are already Built into the operating system

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10
Q

OS:Security management

A

Operating system security included many methods to ensure safety from threats and attacks. Functions include:

Controlling access to a computer by setting up passwords for different users. Without the
password someone else will not be able to access the software applications and files on
your computer

  • Setting different access rights and privileges for different users
  • Automatically downloading updates for the OS to ensure security loopholes are patched
  • Encrypting files that are stored on the hard disk.
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11
Q

What is utility?

A

Utility software refers to any software used to maintain or configure a computer. Many utilities are installed with the OS

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12
Q

Utility: defragmentation

A

Files are stored on a hard disk in available spaces. Ideally whole files would be stored together, but as files are moved and deleted gaps appear on the disk.

The OS has to split new files up to fill the gaps. This makes reading these files slower as the read/write head has to move back and forth across the disk.

Defragmentation puts the files back into one block and collects the free space together

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13
Q

Utility software:encryption

A

Encryption tools can help to keep sensitive data safe from cyber criminals. Encryption process uses an algorithm and key to transform plaintext into cipherkey. To unlock the plaintext u need key and algorithm.

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14
Q

Utility: compression software

A

Compress software reduces the size of files so they take up less disk space/memory

It used loads on the internet to make files quicker to download or transport across.

They need to extracted before they can be used

Protocols include:
.zip .rar

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15
Q

What are the differences between low and high level language?

A
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16
Q

Explain why a developer, who is good at both low-level and high-level programming, would normally use high-level languages when writing programs.

A

• High-level languages have built-in libraries;
High-level languages have built-in functions;
• High-level languages have more support/help;
• High-level languages have structures (such as selection and iteration); • High-level languages can be less machine dependent/more portable; • It (usually) requires fewer lines of code to be written;
• It is (usually) quicker to develop code in high-level languages;
• It is easier to find mistakes in code;
• The code is easier to maintain//understand;
• It is easier to structure code in high-level languages;
NE. references to efficiency or speed unless correctly qualified;
A. Easier to read in place of easier to understand on this occasion; R. Answers relating to programmer expertise

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17
Q

List examples of low level language

A

Machine code

Assembly language

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18
Q

What is assembly code used for?

A

Assembly language is often used to develop software for embedded systems and for controlling specific hardware components

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19
Q

Advantages of assembly language

A

Assembly language has a 1:1 correspondence with machine code, therefore when programming for a particular processor will be quicker as it will execute directly compare to high level.

Gives the programmer complete control over the system components so it can be used to
control and manipulate specific hardware component

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20
Q

What does processors execute?

A

Processors execute machine code and each type of processor has its own specific machine code instruction set.

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21
Q

What does an interpreter do?

A

Interpreters do not generate machine code directly (they call appropriate machine code subroutines within their own code to carry out commands)

Translates the code line by line and will return the first error and stop.

Programs will run slower because the code is being translated as the program is running.

22
Q

What does a compiler do?

A

Compilers translates their input into machine code directly
Returns the list of errors for entire program once compiling is complete
Once completed the program runs Quickly but compiling can take a long time

23
Q

What does assembler do?

A

Assembler translates their input into machine code directly

Assembler purpose is translated assembly language into machine code

24
Q

Complier vs interpreter basic differences

A
25
Q

What is a bus?

A

A bus is a collection of wires through which data/signals are transmitted from one component to another.

26
Q

What is an embedded system?

A

Embedded systems are computers/systems built into other devices/general purpose/non embedded systems , like dishwashers, microwaves and TVs.

27
Q

What is the CPU?

A

It process data and instructions that make the system work.

28
Q

What is the CU?

A

Sends signals to control the flow of data around the CPU

29
Q

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

A

Responsible for carrying out arithmetic calculations and performing logic operations (AND OR NOT ETC)

30
Q

Cache:

A

Is very fast memory in the CPU, it’s slower than the registers but faster than RAM.

It stores regularly used data so that the CPU can access it quickly the next time it’s needed. Which is faster that going to main memory (RAM).

Cache have low capacity compare to RAM and are expensive.

31
Q

Clock

A

The electronic unit that synchronises related components by generating pulses at a constant rate.

32
Q

Registers

A

Tiny, super fast pieces of onboard memory inside the cpu. Each has a very specific purpose.

33
Q

Factors that affect CPU performance

A

Clock speed
Number of processor cores
Cache size

34
Q

Performance factor: clock speed

A

Clock speed refers to how many FDE cycles (clock cycles) are complete a second. This determines how many instructions a single core can carry out

Some CPUs can be overclocked to increase how many instructions are carried a second but it’s risky to as can result in overheating/damage.

35
Q

Performance factor: CPU cores

A

Each core in a CPU can process data independently of the rest. The more cores a CPU has the more instructions it can carry out at once, so faster it can process a batch of instructions.

36
Q

Why does more CPU cores sometimes not improve performance?

A

Some programes need to be executed in a specific order, therefore having multiple cores does not make a difference as the program has to go through a specific sequence.

37
Q

The higher the cache level…

A

The more data it can hold but slower it is. Cache speeds is based upon how far it is from the cpu. L1 is on the CPU. L3 is on motherboard.

38
Q

Performance factor CPU: cache

A

.Cache can be used to either store regularly used instructions, data or both. The more cache memory a
computer has, the more data and instructions can be held in cache and made available very
quickly. This improves processor performance.
Cache memory is very close to the CPU so instructions and data in cache can be transferred
more quickly than with RAM.

39
Q

What is RAM?

A

Random access memory is used as main memory in a computer. It is high speed and volatile memory

40
Q

What is ROM?

A

Read only memory, is non-volatile memory. It can only be read not written to. Comes on a small factory made chip built into motherboard.
Contains all the instructions the computer needs to boot up (BIOS): Tells CPU to perform self checks and step up the computer e,g test the memory is working.

41
Q

RAM/ROM: scenarios they are used in

A
42
Q

Volatile vs Non volatile

A

Volatile is temporary memory. It requires power to retain its data
Non-volatile is permanent memory - it keeps its contents even when it has no power.

43
Q

How does a magnetic hard disk drive (HDD) work?

A

On a hard disk binary data represented by tiny magnetised regions;
where the magnetic orientation in one direction represents 0,
and the other direction represents 1;
When reading data the read/write head is moved (to be
over correct track); and the platter/disk spins round;
A whole sector/block read in one go (by the read/write head);

44
Q

How does an Optical Disk work?

A

Disk rotates (at high speed);
 Laser head moves across (radius of) disk;
 Laser shines onto the disk;
 Tiny indentations/pits/bumps reflect light differently (to lands/flats)//Different
colour of dye reflects or blocks laser light;
 Reflected light is interpreted into 1s and 0s representing data stored on disk;
 Data is stored on a single spiral track (rather than concentric tracks)

45
Q

How does a solid state drive (SSD) work?

A

SSDs use electrical circuits to persistently store data. The flow of electricity forces electrons into floating gate between 2 oxide layers.

This causes a change in the charge of the floating gate and this is measured as 0 or a 1.

46
Q

HDD vs SSD

A
47
Q

Optical disk advantage and disadvantages

A 
Portable 
Cheap per Gb
Shock and water resistant 
Easily scratched 
Low capacity per disc
Very slow read/write speeds
48
Q

What is cloud storage

A

A form of storage where the files are not stored locally on a device but instead hosted remotely and accessed over a network.

49
Q

What does cloud storage use?

A

Cloud storage uses magnetic and/or solid state storage at a remote location.

50
Q

Disadvantages and advantages of cloud

A
51
Q

OS: applications

A

The OS will interact with applications through an Applications Program Interface (API), which allows the application to communicate with the operating system. Once an application is installed, it will need to communicate with the operating system to execute modules, save,update or delete data, and so on. The OS will maintain a directory of where each application and each data file is stored on disk.

When an application is run, the OS will allocate memory for it to be loaded and the
job will enter the queue of jobs being allocated processor time.

52
Q

Fetch:decode:execute

A

fetch: the next instruction is fetched to the CPU from main memory
• decode: the instruction is decoded to work out what it is
• execute: the instruction is executed (carried out). This may include reading/writing from/to main memory

Gcse Paper 2 CS (2 decks)

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