Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Computer Science > 3.4 Computer Systems > Flashcards

3.4 Computer Systems Flashcards

1
Q

How do you calculate the number or possible inputs?

A

2^n Where n is the number of inputs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What does an AND gate truth table look like?

A

A B A AND B
0 0 0
0 1 0
1 0 0
1 1 1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What does a OR gate truth table look like?

A

A B A OR B
0 0 0
0 1 1
1 0 1
1 1 1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What does a NOT gate truth table look like?

A

A NOT A
0 1
1 0

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What does a XOR gate truth table look like?

A

A B A XOR B
0 0 0
0 1 1
1 0 1
1 1 0

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Symbol for AND

A

A.B

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Symbol for OR

A

A+B

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Symbol for NOT

A

̅A
(A is meant to be fully under the line)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Symbol for XOR

A

A⊕B

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is Hardware?

A

A computers hardware consists of physical parts including external and internal devices (storage devices, CPU, GPU, RAM and more)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is Software?

A

The non physical programs that are stored by and run on a computer system
Software makes use of the physical hardware components and devices

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Examples of Hardware

A

Monitor
Motherboard
CPU
GPU
RAM

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Examples of Software

A

Operating system
Drivers
Computer game
Spreadsheet
Web browser

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does an operating system do?

A

It is the interface between you and the computer

They are responsible for managing:
- Processor(s)
- Memory
- Input/output devices
- Applications (Apps)
- Security
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is processor management?

A

Managing the processor
The operating system is responsible for deciding which program will run on the processor an how much time it will get to run

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is multitasking?

A

Multiple programs running at the same time

Multitasking might be having a web browser, Spotify and discord open at the same time
Many other background processes also are running

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is an interrupt?

A

Interrupts are signals sent to the CPU by external devices to indicate an event that needs immediate attention.

They tell the CPU to suspend its current activities and execute appropriate instructions

Hardware interrupts are generated by hardware devices (e.g. Printer that has no paper or ink)

Software interrupts are generated by programs (for example, a divide-by-zero error will cause an error message to be displayed)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Memory Management
Where does a program need to be stored when a program is executed?

A

RAM
To run the program, the computer must copy the program from secondary storage to main memory.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Why does memory management need to be managed by the OS?

A

The OS will need to keep track of where each program and its data are located
The OS will need to make sure not to overwrite existing programs and data

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How does the OS mange input/output devices?

A

The OS must manage input/output devices including:
-Getting inputs from and sending outputs
to peripheral devices

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is a driver?

A

-A driver is a program that controls peripheral devices such as printers, mice, simulator kit (i.e. Yoke system for a flight sim) and displays
-Each device communicates to the OS through its own driver
-Many device drivers come with an OS but if you buy a brand new type of device, it will be supplied with a driver, which you will need to install

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is application software?

A

Software that performs a user-oriented task

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What are some examples of application software?
HINT: they are not brand names.

A

Presentation software
Multimedia software
PDF viewer
Web browser
Email client

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

How does the OS manage application software?

A

The OS provides graphical user interface (GUI) features such as windows, maximise, minimise, resize

When an application is run it is allocated space in RAM and is loaded onto the RAM.

When an application is closed it will be removed from RAM.

The OS may also be responsible for updating and installing applications .

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What does security management often contain?

A
  • Firewalls and antiviruses
  • User management - Login details (username and password)
  • Access rights - to files, programs and services: (have you paid?)
  • Encryption - of hard drives and removeable media
  • Memory protection - prevention of programs being able to view or overwrite data stored in the RAM
    Security updates are automatically downloaded and installed
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

What is Utility Software?

A

Utility programs perform extra functionality and housekeeping tasks that keep computers running efficiently.

They are often packaged as part of the operating system.

Some utility programs, such as Antivirus software, are bought as stand-alone software programs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are some examples of Utility Software?

A

Encryption software
Defragmentation software
Data compression
Disk clean-up tools
Disk formatters
Anti-virus software

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What gets encrypted?

A
  • Encrypt entire Hard disks so that the data cannot be understood if the computer is stolen
  • Encrypt files and files on a portable disk such as USB removeable storage
  • Encrypt communication with websites
  • Encrypt data in an organisation’s database -especially sensitive data such as passwords
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What is Disk Defragmentation?

A

The file is referred to as ‘fragmented’ - It is stored in different locations so that it will take longer for the computer to find.
Read times will become faster, free space is also in one place so new files do not need to be fragmented

BEFORE (Disk is Fragmented)
1 2 8 7 7 5
2 4 6 7 3 3
3 2 1 2

AFTER (Disk is Defragmented)
1 1 2 2 2 2
3 3 3 4 5 6
7 7 7 8

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

Compression

A
  • Some utilities enable users to compress and decompress files or folders
  • This makes the file smaller
  • If sending the files, it reduces the amount of data that is sent
  • Compression may allow attachments to be sent via email that would otherwise have been larger than a file-size limit
  • More data can be stored on backup media
  • Lossy / Lossless
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

Examples of High Level languages

A

VB.NET
Python
C#
C++
Java
PHP

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

Example of a Query language

A

SQL

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

Examples of Markup languages

A

HTML
XML

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

Example of a Low Level language

A

Assembly Language

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What is machine code?

A

In the first computers, all programs were written in machine code
Instructions were written in binary, so a typical instruction looked like this:
- 101011001001
Machine code is what computers translate assembly code and high level languages into.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What did every machine code instruction do?

A

Each instruction did one very small task like LOAD the value 1 into the accumulator register

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

What is the mapping between every assembly code instruction and every machine code instruction?

A

Each assembly language instruction maps directly to a machine code instruction

38
Q

Where is assembly language used?

A

Software used in embedded systems, such as a washing machine or microwave oven.
The software used to control specific hardware components such as device drivers.

39
Q

How is a High Level language different from a Low Level language?

A

High-level languages generally have statements that look a bit like English or Maths i.e.
* area = (base * height) / 2
* print(area)

40
Q

High level language must be turned into machine code before it is executed. How is this done?

A

Either through a complier or interpreter.

41
Q

What is the relationship between high level language and machine code?

A

A single statement usually translates into several machine code instructions.

42
Q

What are the advantages of writing in a High Level language?

A

A high-level language is easier to learn

Programs can be written faster in a high-level language

It is easier to understand and debug a high-level language

Many have in-built functions (i.e. random number generation) and data types such as arrays.

43
Q

What are the advantages of writing in a low level language?

A

A program written in a low-level language can run very quickly

The code will usually require less RAM

Statements in a low-level language can be used to control and manipulate specific hardware components and CPU registers

44
Q

What is the source code?

A

The programmer(s)’s original high level code

45
Q

What is the object code?

A

The machine code produced from the translation process

46
Q

What does a Complier do?

A

Translates a high-level language into machine code in a single pass

47
Q

What does an Interpreter do?

A

Translates a high-level language into machine code, line by line

48
Q

What does an Assembler do?

A

Translates assembly code into machine code

49
Q

What does an Interpreter Input / Output?

A

Input
A high-level language

Output
No output – program runs straight away

50
Q

How does an Interpreter work?

A

How it works
Translates source code line by line and immediately runs it

51
Q

How quickly does an Interpreter execute?

A

Slow as needs to be translated each time it is run

52
Q

What does the end user need to run the program with an Interpreter?

A

Each end user needs the interpreter and the program

53
Q

Can the end user see the source code with an Interpreter?

A

End user can see the source code

54
Q

What does an Compiler Input / Output?

A

Input
A high-level language

Output
Machine code

55
Q

How does a Compiler work?

A

Compiles all source code and creates an executable file

56
Q

How quickly does a Compiler execute?

A

Fast as it just runs the machine code

57
Q

What end user needs to run the program with a Compiler?

A

Users need just the compiled program

58
Q

Can the end user see the source code with a Compiler?

A

End user can’t see the source code

59
Q

What does an Assembler Input / Output?

A

Input
Assembly language

Output
Machine code

60
Q

How does an Assembler work?

A

Assembles source code and creates executable file

61
Q

How quickly does an Assembler execute?

A

Fast as it just runs the machine code

62
Q

What do end user need to run the program with an Assembler?

A

Users need just the assembled program

63
Q

Can the end user see the source code with an Assembler?

A

End user can’t see the source code

64
Q

What is the purpose of the motherboard in a computer?

A

The motherboard provides the connection between all other computer components.

65
Q

What does the CPU do?

A

The CPU processes instructions

66
Q

What is the stored program concept?

A

Program instructions and data are both stored in memory.

67
Q

What does the Control Unit do?

A

The control unit coordinates and controls all of the activities taking place within
the CPU:
- It decodes instructions and executes
them
- It receives signals from the system
clock
- It directs the timing and control of
other parts of the CPU

68
Q

What does the Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU) do?

A

Performs two sorts of operations on data:
- Arithmetic operations
- Logical operations comparing one data
item to another

69
Q

What is a Register?

A

A register is a very fast memory location in the CPU itself
The CPU needs to have somewhere to store small amounts of data and results that it is operating on.

70
Q

What is Cache?

A

Cache is located on the CPU – it is slower to access than registers but faster than RAM
Frequently used instructions are stored in the cache.

71
Q

What is the Clock Speed and why is it crucial to the computer system?

A

The clock frequency (clock speed) is the number of clock cycles which occur each second.
The clock controls the timing of the processor.
It switches between 0 and 1 several million times per second and synchronises all CPU operations.

72
Q

What effect does a Clock Speed have on the computer?

A

The higher the clock speed, the faster the processes done by a computer

73
Q

What is an Address Bus?

A

Carries the address of the memory or device controller to be read from or written to.

74
Q

What is a Data Bus?

A

Carries data throughout the computer system.

75
Q

What is a Control Bus?

A

Uses control signals to control all activities within the CPU i.e. Read or write instruction.

76
Q

What is a System Bus?

A

The three buses above a collectively know as the system bus.

77
Q

What is an External Bus?

A

The CPU is also connected to the external Input-output device controllers by means of the system bus.

78
Q

Directions of the busses?

A

Address - One way (Unidirectional)
Data - Both ways (Bidirectional)
Control - Both ways (Bidirectional)

79
Q

What are the common issues around Processors?

A

Heat -
Processors generate a lot of heat which can damage the other components

Cause -
Transistors which generate heat when they switch state - this occurs when they process instructions.
The faster the clock speed, the more heat is produced.
Some people also overclock their PC above the recommended setting which causes it to overheat.

Solution -
A heat sink is placed above the processor to improve the flow of hot air/heat away from the processor.

80
Q

What is an Instruction Set?

A

A list of all the instructions that the processor is able to execute.

81
Q

Why is an Instruction Set needed?

A

When the instruction is received the CPU looks it up in the instruction in the instruction set to ensure that it is valid.

82
Q

What is an Opcode?

A

The opcode tells the processor the job that needs to be done. A simple operation might be ‘add’ or ‘subtract’.

83
Q

What is an Operand?

A

The operand specifies the data that needs to be acted on. The operand can also refer to a place in memory, such as a register.

84
Q

What happens at the ‘Fetch’ step?

A

The next instruction to be executed is fetched from main memory

85
Q

What happens at the ‘Decode’ Step?

A

Decodes the instruction to work out if it is in the computer instruction set.

86
Q

What happens at the ‘Execute’ Step?

A

The instruction is executed.

87
Q

What are some examples of memory?

A

CPU Registers
Cache
RAM
ROM
Secondary storage

88
Q

What is main memory and why is it needed?

A

Main memory - used to store programs that are currently running

89
Q

What is secondary storage?

A

The computer needs to have somewhere to store data and programs when the computer is turned off so that is where secondary storage comes into place.
Secondary storage is non-volatile so it will retain the things stored on it when switched off.

90
Q

What are some examples of secondary storage?

A

Magnetic Disks
Optical
Solid State

Computer Science (8 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions