Computer science Flashcards
What is the purpose of the program counter (PC)?
It holds the address of the instruction the CPU will execute next
What is the purpose of the current instruction register (CIR)?
It holds the address of the instruction the CPU is executing now
What is the purpose of the memory address register (MAR)?
It holds the address of the instruction that will be fetched from the main memory or the address in the main memory the data will be transferred to
What is the purpose of the accumulator (ACC)?
It holds the results of calculations
What is the purpose of the memory data register (MDR)?
It holds data that is being transferred to or from memory
What is the purpose of the arithmetic logic unit (ALU)?
It performs arithmetic calculations, logical operations and logical shifts (halving or doubling)
What is the purpose of the cache?
It is a form of memory the CPU can access quickly, holding frequently used instructions and data.
What is a register?
A high-speed, tiny, expensive component of the CPU with a specific, set purpose.
What 4 things does a Von Neumann architecture consist of?
Control unit, arithmetic logic unit, memory, and inputs and outputs.
What is an embedded system?
A computer system that has one dedicated function and is within a larger mechanical system.
What is a general purpose system?
An overall system with many different functions and purposes.
What are some advantages of using an embedded system?
Embedded systems are faster at what they do, cheaper and more energy efficient.
What are some advantages of using a general purpose system?
General purpose systems can do many things, run many different programs.
What are some disadvantages of using an embedded system?
Embedded systems only have one function.
What are some disadvantages of using a general purpose system?
General purpose systems are more expensive, less energy efficient and more expensive.
