Computer Structure

Question 1

Explain what a translator does.

Answer 1

A translator converts the high level program (source code) e.g python into binary (machine code).

Question 2

Name the 2 diffrent types of translators

Answer 2

Interpreters and Compilers

Question 3

Describe how an interpreter works

Answer 3

Interpreters translate the code line by line, if it find a error in the program it will stop running

Question 4

Describe how a complier works

Answer 4

A compiler translates all of your high level code (source code) into machine code all at once

Question 5

What is the advantage of using an interpreter

Answer 5

Errors are flagged after each line has been interpreted making debugging easier

Question 6

What are the disadvantages of using an interpreter

Answer 6

Can be slow to run code as the processor needs to run the translator software and the interpreted code
You will always need the interpreter to run the code, which may not be good for software you wish to distribute.
Anyone can see (and copy!) your source code.

Question 7

What are the advantages of using a complier

Answer 7

A program will run without needing translated any more which is good for distributing software.
A program will run much more quickly as the processor is not needing to translate the code any more.
Compiled code is difficult to reverse-engineer, so your competitors cannot just copy your source code!

Question 8

What are the disadvantages of using a compiler

Answer 8

Debugging can be complex as errors are not reported immediately.
You will need to re-compile your code every time an error is found and corrected. This may take time with a long program.

Question 9

Which type of translator is better for debugging/troubleshooting code

Answer 9

Interpreter

Question 10

Which type of translator should be used prior to the release a program for sale

Answer 10

Complier

Question 11

Give 2 reasons why it is benifical to compile program before release

Answer 11

Translator does not need to be
present to run the code
The program runs/executes faster as
it does not require further
translation
The compiled version of the program
requires less memory (RAM) to run.
It is difficult to reverse engineer the program

Question 12

Name the 3 areas of the processor:

Answer 12

Arithmetic and Logic Unit;
Control unit;
Registers.

Question 14

Describe the role of the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

Answer 14

All calculations and logical decisions are handled by the ALU.

It performs all calculations
It performs comparisons on numeric values
It makes decisions based on logic (AND, OR, NOT)

Question 15

Describe the role of the Control Unit (CU)

Answer 15

The control unit is responsible for coordinating all the activities happening in the computer that require some of the processors time. This includes:

• fetching instructions and data from the main memory;
• decoding instructions (sending them to the correct part of the processor);
• executing instructions;
• the clock signal to keep actions in time with each other;
• responding to peripherals sending/receiving data.

Question 16

Which part of the processor performs all calculations
It performs comparisons on numeric values
It makes decisions based on logic (AND, OR, NOT)

Answer 16

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

Question 17

Which part of the processor performs comparisons on numeric values

Answer 17

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

Question 18

Which part of the processor makes decisions based on logic (AND, OR, NOT)

Answer 18

Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

Question 19

Which part of the processor is responsible for fetching instructions and data from the main memory;

Answer 19

Control Unit (CU)

Question 20

Which part of the processor is responsible for decoding instructions (sending them to the correct part of the processor);

Answer 20

Control Unit (CU)

Question 21

Which part of the processor is responsible for executing instructions

Answer 21

Control Unit (CU)

Question 22

Which part of the processor is responsible for f the clock signal to keep actions in time with each other

Answer 22

Control Unit (CU)

Question 23

Which part of the processor is responsible for responding to peripherals sending/receiving data.

Answer 23

Control Unit (CU)

Question 24

Describe the registers

Answer 24

Registers are fast temporary storage locations on the processor, they store data, intructions or addresses being used by the CPU

Question 25

Which part of the processor is a fast temporary storage location

Answer 25

The registers

Question 26

Which part of the processor stores information going to be used buy the CPU

Answer 26

Registers

Question 27

What part of the process stores instructions to be processed by the CPU

Answer 27

The registers

Question 28

Describe Memory/RAM in a computer system

Answer 28

RAM is a block of storage locations connected to the processor by the data bus and address bus
It is used to store data, programs and the operating system
It is volatile meaning its contents are cleared when it has no power i.e. the computer is switched off

Question 29

Describe how memory is organised so information can be easily be retrived

Answer 29

every storage location in memory, has a unique binary address that can be used when reading data

Question 30

Describe memory is organised so a new data can be added

Answer 30

very storage location in memory, has a unique binary address that can be used when writing data

Question 31

What is the role of the Buses in a computer system

Answer 31

Buses are used to allow communication to take place between the processor and memory

Question 32

Name the 2 types of Buses

Answer 32

Data Bus and Address Bus

Question 33

Describe the address bus

Answer 33

The address bus is uni-directional (one way) it tells memory which memory location is being read from/written to

Question 34

Describe the Data Bus

Answer 34

The data bus is is bi-directional it carries data from memory to be used by the processor and carries data from the processor to be stored in memory

Question 35

Explain why the address bus is uni-directional

Answer 35

The address bus is uni-directional(one way) because the address is always sent from the processor (by the CU) to memory

Question 36

Explain why the address bus is bi-directional

Answer 36

Data travels in both directions, data is sent from the processor to memory and visa versa