Chapter 1: How Do Computers Work?

Question 1

What is a computer?

Answer 1

Device that receive data, process that data according to a set of instructions and produce processed data as a result

Question 2

What is computer architecture?

Answer 2

How the computer is designed and built to function, including how the parts of the computer is designed, organised and connected

Question 3

What is data?

Answer 3

Information that is used in a computer program

Question 4

Units

Answer 4

kilobyte, kB —> 1000
kibibyte, KiB —> 1024
megabyte, MB —> 1000^2
mebibyte, MiB —> 1024^2
gigabyte, GB —> 1000^3
gibibyte, GiB —> 1024^3
terabyte, TB —> 1000^4
tebibyte, TiB —> 1024^4

Question 5

What is arithmetic logic unit (ALU)?

Answer 5

Part of the processor that processes data by performing basic mathematical and logical operations

Question 6

What is central processing unit (CPU)?

Answer 6

Part of the computer that processes data and follows instructions

Question 7

What is a control unit?

Answer 7

Part of the processor that follows instructions and decides when data should be stored, received or transmitted by different parts of the computer

Question 8

What is execute?

Answer 8

To follow or perform an instruction

Question 9

What is a bit?

Answer 9

Binary digit that takes in the value of either 0 or 1

Question 10

What is a byte?

Answer 10

Binary digit made up of 8 bits

Question 11

What is software?

Answer 11

Set of instructions to perform specific tasks on a computer

Question 12

What is address?

Answer 12

Number that is used to locate a byte in memory

Question 13

What is memory?

Answer 13

Device that is used to store data for immediate use in a computer

Question 14

What does on and off mean on a switch?

Answer 14

On: 1
Off: 0

Question 15

Hard disk

Answer 15

Secondary storage where data is stored on rigid rotating disks coated with a magnetic material

Question 16

Volatile

Answer 16

Lost when power supply is interrupted

Question 17

Data bus

Answer 17

Bus that transport data between memory and the processor

Data bus is bi-directional because data can be sent in both directions between the processor and memory

Question 18

Address bus

Answer 18

Bus that is used to specify memory address information

Address bus is uni-directional because data can be sent in one direction between the processor and memory

Question 19

Bi-directional

Answer 19

Able to work in two directions, to and fro

Question 20

Uni-directional

Answer 20

Able to work in one direction only

Question 21

Bus

Answer 21

Collection of wires for transporting data from one part of a computer to another

Question 22

Input device

Answer 22

Hardware device that allows users to enter data and instructions into a computer

Question 23

Output device

Answer 23

Hardware device used to display, project or print processed data from a computer