Computer Architecture Flashcards
Bus
Connects CPU and Memory. It is a collection id wires that allow data and instructions to move from memory to the central processing unit and back.
Motherboard
a circuit board that devices are physically mounted on
Secondary Storage
stores data persistently
What is the fetch execute cycle ?
CPU fetches the program next instructions from memory
Instructions is found at memory address and stored in binary code
CPU decodes the binary code revealing an instruction which is executed
What is the function of the CPU
The CPU(central processing unit) processes instructions and it consists of the ALU , control unit and register.
What does the ALU do?
The ALU(arithmetic logic unit) receives instructions,data and operates on the data according to the instructions.
What does the contol unit do?
It directs the operations of the CPU
What does the register do?
It’s temporary storage locations that the CPU can access very quickly,when carrying out operations on data. The program counter stores when the CPU is in the program sequence at any one given time.
Factors affecting CPU speed
Clock speed
Number of instructions per second
Cores
What is primary storage?
Stores information for immediate use by the CPU and stores data temporarily
Name two types of primary memory:
1.ROM -Read Only Memory
It is non volatile.
Its contents remains stored whether computer is on or off.
2.RAM-Random Access Memory
It is volatile.
It is temporary.
It is fast.
Name two types of secondary storage
Hard drives-Solid State Disks
Flash drives-Flash Memorys
Input Devices
- Goes into the von Neumann Architecture
- mouse,scanner,keyboard
Output Devices
- Data that comes out if the von Neuman Architecture
- printer,monitor,projector
What is a computer system?
A system that involves interaction between hardware data and a human user.
What is clock speed?
The number of instruction cycles per second, i.e., the number of times the CPU can fetch, decode, and execute.
What are logic gates?
The arrangement of transistors in different ways to carry out the Boolean operations on data.
What is current?
The flow of electrons in a wire.
What is voltage?
The force responsible for the movement of electrons in a wire.
What is a resistor?
A component that slows down the flow of electrons in a circuit.
What is a capacitor?
An electrical component used to store energy.
What is a transistor?
A binary switch.
What does CPU stand for?
Central Processing Unit.
What does ALU stand for?
Arithmetic Logic Unit.
What does CU stand for?
Control Unit.
What does MAR stand for?
Memory Address Register.
What does MDR stand for?
Memory Data Register.
What does CIR stand for?
Current Instruction Register.
What does PC stand for?
Program Counter.
What does RAM stand for?
Random Access Memory.
What does ROM stand for?
Read Only Memory.
What is the Von Neumann Architecture?
A computer architecture where the CPU carries out computations on data by following instructions.
What is the role of the CPU?
It carries out computations on data by following instructions, resulting in some output.
What components are contained within the CPU?
ALU, CU, and various registers.
What affects the speed of the CPU?
Clock speed, number of cores, and size & speed of cache.
What is the function of the ALU?
It receives instructions and data from memory and performs arithmetic and logical processing.
What operations does the ALU perform?
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
What is the function of the Control Unit (CU)?
It controls the activity of all other units in the computer system.
What are registers?
Temporary storage locations built into the CPU that can be accessed very quickly.
What does the Memory Address Register (MAR) do?
It stores the memory address from which data will be retrieved or the address to which data will be sent.
What does the Memory Data Register (MDR) hold?
It holds the contents found at the address held in the MAR or data to be transferred to primary memory.
What is the Current Instruction Register (CIR)?
It holds the instruction that is currently being executed.
What does the Program Counter (PC) do?
It holds the memory address of the next instruction to be executed.
What are buses in a computer system?
Communication channels that connect computer components.
What are I/O devices?
Devices used for input (e.g., keyboard), output (e.g., monitor), or both (e.g., touchscreens).
What is primary memory?
Memory that the CPU requires during the execution of a program, including RAM and ROM.
What is RAM?
Read-write memory that is volatile, very fast, and expensive.
What is ROM?
Non-volatile memory that stores crucial information essential to operate the system.
What is secondary memory?
Non-volatile and persistent storage that is not directly accessed by the CPU.
What is the function of a clock in a computer?
It generates a signal consisting of a continuous stream of electrical pulses to synchronize operations.
What is a motherboard?
Circuit boards that are physically mounted on devices, including CPU, main memory, and I/O devices.
How is data represented in a computer?
All data must be represented as binary (1s and 0s) because this is all the computer can understand.
What is the Fetch - Decode - Execute Cycle?
A cycle followed by a processor to process an instruction, consisting of several stages.
What is the role of electricity in a circuit?
The movement of electrons (current) produces electricity.
What device measures current?
An ammeter, with the unit being Amps (A).
What is voltage?
The potential difference that pushes electrons through a circuit, measured in Volts (V).
What is resistance?
The opposition to the flow of electrons, measured in Ohms.
What is the function of a capacitor?
They store energy physically in a form like static electricity.
What does a transistor do?
It either prevents or allows current to flow through.
