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computer systems Flashcards

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1
Q

What is hardware?

A

the physical components of a computer system e.g.hardrive

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2
Q

What is software?

A

the non-physical components of a computer system e.g.applications

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3
Q

What is application software?

A

programs that help the user perform specific tasks e.g.word processor

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4
Q

What is system software?

A

software used to control the computer and run applications e.g.OS

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5
Q

What is utility software?

A

helps maintain the system e.g.encryption

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6
Q

What is volatile memory?

A

memory where data is lost when the computer is shut down

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7
Q

What is ROM?

A

read-only memory

non-volatile

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8
Q

What is RAM?

A

random-access memory

volatile

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9
Q

What is virtual memory?

A

volatile memory created in storage drive temporarily

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10
Q

What is memory?

A

has short term memory

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11
Q

What is storage?

A

location for saving and accessing data on a long-term basis

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12
Q

What is the CPU and what does it do?

A

the central processing unit which controls the computer

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13
Q

How can you improve CPU performance?

A

Cores- more cores means multiple instructions can be processed at once
clock speed- higher clock speed means more pulses per second and data is processed faster

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14
Q

What is the fetch, decode and execute cycle?

A

fetch- control unit reads memory address, instruction stored in that address,memory address incremented
decode-instruction from memory decoded and control unit prepared
execute- carries out process

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15
Q

What are the 3 levels of cache?

A

L1-stored in CPU
L2-traditionally outside CPU now stored in the CPU
L3-stored in chip between CPU and memory

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16
Q

How do magnetic disks work?

A

use magnetic fields to magnetise individual sections off a metal spinning disk.

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17
Q

How do optical disks work?

A

use a laser to scan the surface of a spinning disk

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18
Q

How does solid state work?

A

can be used as external secondary storage

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19
Q

What are the advantages of magnetic disks?

A 
large storage capacity
faster than optical disks
power not required to retain data
cheap
easily replaced
20
Q

What are the disadvantages if magnetic disk?

A 
moving parts will eventually fail
crashes can lead to loss of data
fragile
high power consumption
can be noisy
21
Q

What are the advantages of optical disk?

A 
easy to store
portable
wide compatibility
east to use
can last a long time
22
Q

What are the disadvantages of optical disk?

A 
data on write-once discs permanent
require special drive to read and write
cost of storage is high
easily broken
longevity not confirmed
23
Q

What are the advantages solid state?

A 
read speeds faster than normal hard disk drives
power not required to retain information
lightweight and durable
no moving parts
require less power and are silent
24
Q

What are the disadvantages of solid state?

A

limited storage capacity
write speeds can be 4x slower than magnetic disks
cost per unit storage is higher than magnetic drives
information can only be modified a certain amount of times

25
Q

What is cloud storage?

A

storage over the internet, stored in multiple different servers

26
Q

What is an embedded system?

A

a computer system with a purpose inside a larger mechanical system

27
Q

What are the advantages of cloud computing?

A

unlimited storage capability
automatic back ups
universal access
device independence

28
Q

What are the disadvantages of cloud storage?

A 
requires reliable internet connection
requires high bandwith
slower to access than local files
user doesn't have control over their own data
less safe
29
Q

What are the advantages of embedded systems?

A

cheaper to design and build
require less power
can be built using cheaper, less powerful processors

30
Q

What are the disadvantages of embedded systems?

A

Difficult to upgrade
hardware is limited
hard to maintain
difficult to backup embedded files

31
Q

What does user interface do?

A

allows a user to interact with a computer

32
Q

What does processor management do?

A

allow more than one program to run simultaneously

33
Q

What does memory management?

A

manages memory so that more than one program can run at the same time and more than one document can be opened at the same time

34
Q

What is applications management?

A

it allocates memory space and determines time needed by a processor for an application to run

35
Q

What is the Von Neumann model?

A

all instructions and data stored in the same memory in binary
instruction follow fetch, decode and execute cycle serially

36
Q

What are the advantages of the von neumann model?

A

easier to program computers
no need to rewire computer circuits
simplifies hardware

37
Q

Why would you use a solid state drive?

A
38
Q

What does the bus do in Von Neumann?

A

transmits data from one part of the computer to another

39
Q

What does the arithmetic logic unit in Von neumann?

A

allows arithmetic and logic operations to be carried out

40
Q

What does the control unit do in Von neumann?

A

controls the operation of the ALU, memory and input/output devices

41
Q

What does the register do in Von neumann?

A

high speed storage areas in CPU where data must be stored before it can be processed

42
Q

What does the clock do in Von neumann?

A

every clock cycle an instruction is fetched from the memory, decoded then executed on the ALU

43
Q

How do you convert from MB to GB?

A

1 mb = 0.001 gb

44
Q

How is data stored on a hard disk drive?

A

stored in binary code

45
Q

Why would you use a solid state drive?

A

accessing data- flashdrive

computer science (6 decks)

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