7.1 Introduction to Computer Architecture Flashcards
What is computer architecture?
It is the set of hardware resources provided for software, including components such as the CPU, main memory, and I/O interfaces.
What are the primary hardware components in computer architecture?
They include the Central Processing Unit (CPU), main memory (address space), and I/O interfaces (buses, clocks, and interface registers).
What is an address space in computing?
An address space is the range of memory addresses that a CPU or process can access; it includes physical address space (actual locations in RAM) and virtual address space (a logical view translated by the operating system).
How is memory typically organized in a computer system?
Memory is organized into fixed-size, addressable storage locations—usually 8 bits (1 byte) per location—with address spaces defined by the number of address lines (e.g., 32-bit or 64-bit systems).
What role does the address bus play in computer architecture?
The address bus carries memory addresses (typically represented in hexadecimal) and determines the maximum range of accessible memory.
What is the function of the CPU in a computer system?
The CPU executes instructions by fetching data from memory, performing operations via the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), and storing results back into memory, all under the direction of the Control Unit (CU).
What does the Control Unit (CU) do within the CPU?
The CU directs all CPU activities, coordinating the fetching, decoding, and execution of instructions much like a conductor directs an orchestra.
What is the purpose of the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)?
The ALU performs arithmetic and logical operations (such as addition, subtraction, bitwise AND/OR) on operands provided by registers or memory.
What are registers and why are they important?
Registers are small, high-speed memory units within the CPU that temporarily hold data and instructions during processing, enabling fast access compared to main memory.
What is an instruction set?
An instruction set is the fixed collection of operations that a CPU can perform, including arithmetic, logical, and data movement instructions.
What defines a stored-program computer?
A stored-program computer holds both data and code in memory, allowing programs—represented as sequences of numeric instructions—to be modified and executed sequentially.
What is machine language?
Machine language is the binary encoding of instructions that a CPU executes directly, where each instruction is represented by an opcode and possibly operand data.
How might a fixed-length instruction be structured in machine language?
For example, a 12-bit instruction could reserve the lower 8 bits for addresses or data and the upper 4 bits for the opcode, with bit positions defined by significance (LSb and MSb).
What are the advantages and disadvantages of programming in machine language?
Advantages include direct control over hardware and potential for optimization; disadvantages include tedious coding, high potential for error, low productivity, maintenance challenges, and poor portability.
How are high-level programming languages translated into machine-executable code?
High-level languages are converted into assembly code via a compiler or interpreter, and an assembler then translates the assembly code into machine language for execution by the CPU.
