Chapter 1 Intro

Question 0

What is the ISA?

Answer 0

ISA - Instruction Set Architecture

The ISA is the agreed-upon interface between all of the software that runs on the machine and the hardware the executes it. The ISA allows you to talk to the machine.

Question 1

What is the Principle of Equivalent of Hardware and Software?

Answer 1

Any task done by software can also be done using hardware and any operation performed directly by hardware can be done using software.

Question 2

What are the 3 components necessary to build a computing system?

Answer 2

1. A processor to interpret and execute programs
2. A memory to store both data and programs
3. A mechanism for transferring data to and from the outside world

Question 3

8 Quantities Of Bytes (in order)?

Answer 3

Name Decimal Binary

1) kilobyte 10^3 2^10 thousand
2) megabyte 10^6 2^20 million
3) gigabyte 10^9 2^30 billion
4) terabyte 10^12 2^40 trillion
5) petabyte 10^15 2^50 quadrillion
6) exabyte 10^18 2^60 quintillion
7) zettabyte 10^21 2^70 sextillion
8) yottabyte 10^24 2^80 septillion

Question 4

Kilo

Answer 4

1 thousand = 10^3 OR 2^10 = 1024

Question 5

Mega

Answer 5

1 million = 10^6 OR 2^20

Question 6

Giga

Answer 6

1 billion = 10^9 OR 2^30

Question 7

Tera

Answer 7

1 trillion = 10^12 OR 2^40

Question 8

Peta

Answer 8

1 quadrillion = 10^15 OR 2^50

Question 9

Exa

Answer 9

1 quintillion = 10^18 OR 2^60

Question 10

Zetta

Answer 10

1 sextillion = 10^21 OR 2^70

Question 11

Yotta

Answer 11

1 septillion = 10^24 OR 2^70

Question 12

Milli

Answer 12

1 thousandth = 10^-3 OR 2^-10

Question 13

Micro

Answer 13

1 millionth = 10^-6 OR 2^-20

Question 14

Nano

Answer 14

1 billionth = 10^-9 OR 2^-30

Question 15

Pico

Answer 15

1 trillionth = 10^-12 OR 2^-40

Question 16

Femto

Answer 16

1 quadrillionth = 10^-15 OR 2^-50

Question 17

What is a Vacuum Tube?

Answer 17

Vacuum Tubes (aka valves) - control the flow of electrons in electrical systems.

Question 18

What are the 6 ‘Abstract Levels of Modern Computer Systems’?

Fig 1.3 pg 32

Answer 18

Level 6 - User (executable programs)

Level 5 - High-Level Language (C++, Java, FORTRAN, etc)

Level 4 - Assembly Language (assembly code)

Level 3 - System Software (operating system, library code)

Level 2 - Machine (instruction set architecture)

Level 1 - Control (microcode or hardwired)

Level 0 - Digital Logic (circuits, gates, etc.)

NOTE: each level is considered a hypothetical computer or ‘Virtual Machine’, executing its own set of instructions, calling lower levels to carry out the task.

Question 19

What / Where is the ‘Control Unit’?

Answer 19

Located at ‘Level 1’ & can be hardwired or micro programmed. It ensures the instructions from ‘Level 2’ are decoded, executed correctly, & that data is moved where/when it should be.

Instructions are interpreted 1 at a time, causing the required action to take place.

Question 20

What’s the difference between computer organization and computer architecture?

Answer 20

Computer Organization: (physical) addresses issues such as control signals (how the computer is controlled), signaling methods, and memory types. It encompasses all physical aspects of computer systems.

Computer Architecture: (logical) is the combination of its hardware components, plus it’s Instruction Set Architecture (ISA). Focuses on the structure and behavior of computer systems. Refers to the logical and abstract aspects of system implementation; as seen by the programmer.

Question 21

What unit is typically used to measure the speed of the computer clock?

Answer 21

Hertz or Cycles per Second

Question 22

What is the full name of the organization that uses the initials ISO? AND Is ISO an acronym?

Answer 22

ISO - International Organization for Standardization is the entity that coordinates worldwide standards development.

It is not an acronym but derives from the Greek word ‘isos’; meaning equal.