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SDD 2023 half-yearly > chapter 2 > Flashcards

chapter 2 Flashcards

1
Q

components of a computer system

A
  • hardware: physical components
  • software: instructions + programs which control the hardware
  • procedures: modes of action performed by personnel
  • personnel: people involved in using system
  • data: raw info, input
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2
Q

the function + operation of hardware within a computer system

A

input –> processing + control <–> storage <–> processing + control –> output

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3
Q

basic functions of input - refer to hardware deck

A
  • obtains data from outside the system through an action
  • input converted to binary signal
  • e.g. keyboard, mouse, barcode reader, microphone(sound card), RFID
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4
Q

how is input received by the processor

A
  • input from user is converted into a binary signal
  • signal sent to buffer, a circuit that is part of the RAM
  • RAM allows devices operating at different speeds to communicate
  • signal accessed by processor
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5
Q

basic functions of output - refer to output devices deck

A
  • sends data outside the system, via a port
  • data is sent from processor to output device through buffer area
  • e.g. video cards, hardcopy devices, internet, actuators(similar in function to motor neuron in the body)
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6
Q

main function of storage

A

instructions and programs that control hardware
- reads, writes and retains data
- classified as primary and secondary, or temporary and permanent

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7
Q

primary vs secondary storage: refer to storage units deck

A

primary(temporary): main memory, requires power to retain data
- volatile(except for ROM)
- fast, small, expensive, close to CPU
- works closely with processor
secondary(permanent): permanent, does not require power to retain data
- non-volatile
- mostly classified as magnetic, optical or solid
- slow, big, cheap
- greater storage capacity

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8
Q

conceptual diagram of software linking with hardware

A

users <–> application software <–> operating system <–> hardware

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9
Q

function of operating systems

A
  • organises + controls hardware
  • allows application software to interact with the hardware
  • provides interface to hardware, user, software applications
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10
Q

types of operating systems users + tasks

A

Single-user, single-task systems
- one user, one task
Single-user, multi-tasking systems
- multiple programs on a single computer, common in personal computers
- operating system allocates CPU time to each program
Multi-user operating system
- separate resources, multiple users allowed access at one time
- used in mini + mainframe computers
RTOS: real time operating systems
- machinery + specific instruments, fast w/ no lag
- tasks performed in real time/instantly

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11
Q

tasks performed by operating systems

A

processor Management
- allocates background processes their processing time
memory + storage management
- allocates memory for separate processes, avoids clashes
device management
- translates the program into appropriate language for device
application interface
- provides communication between application + operating system
user interface
- provides communication with user

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12
Q

software utilities

A
  • file compression: saves storage, reduces file size
  • defragmentation: rewrites drive to present file fragmentation for better performance
  • virus checking: packages which scan executable code in search of code that could cause unwanted processing
  • embedded license installation: ensures compliance with software license Ts + Cs
  • batch job scheduling: regular tasks scheduled for no-user times
  • emulators: allows old software to operate on other/newer operating systems
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13
Q

application software meaning

A

software which is created in response to a problem, sitting on top of the operating system
- application software is designed with a specific operating system in mind

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14
Q

difference between off-the-shelf packages + custom designed packages

A

off-the-shelf packages
- distributes through internet or retail stores
- the wider the audience, the cheaper the product
- could be used as a software development tool; which will create CTOS(customized off the shelf) packages, which will require the original product to operate
custom designed packages
- customized to client’s unique problem
- usually made for large businesses/the government
- apps with unusual/custom hardware
- performance decreases with more users

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15
Q

machine languages

A
  • understood by CPU
  • lowest level of code
  • hard to understand
  • represented by a series of binary digits
  • other languages are translated into this eventually
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16
Q

assembler languages

A
  • mnemonics used
  • more english-oriented than its predecessor
  • simple translation into machine code
  • optimised for speed
17
Q

high-level languages

A
  • for complex solutions
  • translator needed, for a specific CPU
  • more easily understood by programmers
  • very long timeline of evolving high-level languages
  • clearer instructions + syntax, usually in english
18
Q

declarative languages

A
  • order of statements have no significance
  • specifies aspects of the problem
  • solution formulated by software/other functioning systems
  • similar to spreadsheets, other data-based queries
19
Q

event driven vs sequential

A

event driven: each control is constantly monitored for an input
- collection of inter-related modules when input is received, corresponding code is executed
- multiple events can happen at the same time
- lots of controls used
sequential: pre-determined sequence
- unable to deviate from sequence
- not flexible, does not account for user’s possible input

20
Q

steps of translation

A
  1. lexical analysis: ensures program is a legitimate part of the language
  2. syntactical analysis: ensures the syntax is correct
  3. code generation: generation of the machine code from o.g. code
21
Q

compilation vs interpretation

A

compilation: translates the whole of the source code at once
- only needs to be translated once on one local source
- very fast, no translation needed during run time
interpretation: translates source code statement by statement
- translates code at run time
- significant processing = poor performance
- good for testing small changes to code
- interpreter must also be installed

22
Q

fetch-execute cycle

A

a cycle used to carry out each and every machine language translation
- information hardwired in CPU

23
Q

microcode

A

CPU operations which machine language instruction corresponds to

24
Q

two parts of fetch execute cycle

A
  1. instruction time(I-time): involves fetching the instruction from memory and then decoding it
  2. execution time(e-time): involves executing instruction and storing the result
25
Q

system clock

A

fetch-execute cycle occurs at constant pace, determined by the system clock
- each tick of clock: part of the fetch-execute cycle occurs

26
Q

fetch-execute cycle steps

A

fetch: instruction in address in memory read into instruction register before program counter incremented to next instruction
decode: control unit makes sense of instruction, required operands loaded
execute: instruction carried out
store: results stored in general-purpose registers

27
Q

pipelining

A

modern CPUs processing multiple instructions concurrently: can be done because most CPUs have more than one ALU, meaning instructions do not affect another executed at the same time

28
Q

process of running app

A
  1. application: located in secondary storage, OS checks space needed on RAM
  2. OS allocates RAM for application
  3. application loaded on given RAM; instructions loaded
  4. CPU time allocated by OS, application takes over CPU during allocated CPU time
  5. fetch-execute processes instructions for the app
  6. app runs :D
29
Q

hardware requirements to run software

A
  1. processor: speed + type affects application speed
  2. RAM: less RAM = poor performance
  3. Hard disk space: physical secondary storage to install application
  4. Peripheral devices: other hardware, may be needed for specific apps

SDD 2023 half-yearly (9 decks)

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