Chapter 1: How Do Computers Work? Flashcards
What is a computer?
Device that receive data, process that data according to a set of instructions and produce processed data as a result
What is computer architecture?
How the computer is designed and built to function, including how the parts of the computer is designed, organised and connected
What is data?
Information that is used in a computer program
Units
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
What is arithmetic logic unit (ALU)?
Part of the processor that processes data by performing basic mathematical and logical operations
What is central processing unit (CPU)?
Part of the computer that processes data and follows instructions
What is a control unit?
Part of the processor that follows instructions and decides when data should be stored, received or transmitted by different parts of the computer
What is execute?
To follow or perform an instruction
What is a bit?
Binary digit that takes in the value of either 0 or 1
What is a byte?
Binary digit made up of 8 bits
What is software?
Set of instructions to perform specific tasks on a computer
What is address?
Number that is used to locate a byte in memory
What is memory?
Device that is used to store data for immediate use in a computer
What does on and off mean on a switch?
On: 1
Off: 0
Hard disk
Secondary storage where data is stored on rigid rotating disks coated with a magnetic material
Volatile
Lost when power supply is interrupted
Data bus
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
Address bus
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
Bi-directional
Able to work in two directions, to and fro
Uni-directional
Able to work in one direction only
Bus
Collection of wires for transporting data from one part of a computer to another
Input device
Hardware device that allows users to enter data and instructions into a computer
Output device
Hardware device used to display, project or print processed data from a computer
