Computer Systems Flashcards

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1
Q

PC program counter

A

Holds the address of the NEXT instruction that will be executed

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2
Q

MAR memory address register

A

Holds the address where data needs to be fetched from/needs to be stored into

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3
Q

RAM

A

Random access memory - stores all data. Finds the address supplied by the MAR and takes the data that was stored in there

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4
Q

MBR

A

Memory buffer register - holds temporarily the instruction, to allow the previous instruction to complete its execution

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5
Q

CIR

A

current instruction register - holds the current instrauction while it is being decoded and executed

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6
Q

What is code broken down into

A

Op code and operand

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7
Q

ALU

A

arithmetic logic. Unit. Performs any mathematical or logical operations

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8
Q

Accumulator

A

Stores or executes the instruction

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9
Q

Character set

A

All characters that a computer can use

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10
Q

Number base

A

specifies how a,my digits ( including 0)are needed to form all other numbers with a certain numbering system

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11
Q

How does Von Neumann architecture work

A

Both software and data are stored in the same memory. Data and instructions pass between the CPU and RAM while a program is running

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12
Q

Can more than one program be running in main memory

A

Yes

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13
Q

Memory management

A

In charge of allocating memory to the different processes that occur in a computer system

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14
Q

I/O management

A

Communicates with all of the input and output devices in a computer. Identifies an input and sends a signal to the corresponding output device to output/execute the data.

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15
Q

Processors scheduling

A

Controls which programs can send data to the processor. Since there is only one processor, it helps to forms queue of data waiting to access the processor.

The processor usually executes a little of hit of each program at a time, to make it appear as though every program is running simultaneously

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16
Q

System software

A

Controls the computer and makes the hardware work. Without it, the computer doesn’t work

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17
Q

Application software

A

Does useful things for the user

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18
Q

Example of system software

A

Translators

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19
Q

Example of applicarion software

A

Word processing software

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20
Q

How does System software work

A

When you turn on the computer, a signal goes to the ROM, which is a small chip that has BIOS in it.

BIOS program tells computer to go to the hard disk, access the OS a and put it into RAM

WHNE THE POWER IS OFF

all RAM data is cleared (volatile)

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21
Q

is ROM volatile?

A

No, it is NON-VOLATILE

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22
Q

Name some functions of the OS

A

I/O management
Memory management
Processor scheduling

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23
Q

HARDWARE

A

All physical aspects of a computer that can be touched

Motherboard, I/O devices

24
Q

SOFTWARE

A

Programs that run on the computer.

25
Q

Boolean

A

True or false

26
Q

Not gate shape

A

Triangle

Gives an output opposite to the input

27
Q

AND gate shape

A

D shape

Gives a true output ONLY IF both inputs are true

28
Q

OR gate shape

A

Arrow shape

Gives true output if AT LEAST ONE input is true

29
Q

XOR gate shape (exclusive or)

A

Arrow with a line before it

Gives true output if ONLY ONE input is true

30
Q

How to write NOT gate in letter

A

Letter with a line on top of it

31
Q

How to Worte AND gate on letters

A

A full stop between letters

E.g. A and B

Is

A.B

32
Q

How to write OR gate in letters

A

A plus sign

E.g. A or B

Is

A + B

33
Q

How to write XOR gate in letters

A

A plus sign with a circle around it

34
Q

Control unit

A

Manages the execution of all instructions by making sure all components run at the correct time

35
Q

Clock

A

Sends out electrical pulses to synchronise all ocmponents

36
Q

Bus

A

Electrical components which connect CPU to memory

Address
Data
Control

37
Q

FACTORS EFFECTING CPU PERFOMANC

A

clock speed (faster speed better performance

Number of processor cores (more cores, better performance)

Cache size (larger size is better)

Cache type

38
Q

Unit for clock speed

A

Hz

39
Q

Cache

A

Small section of high speed memory contain frequently used instructions, to speed up execution (without having to fetch from RAM)

Imporces performance

40
Q

Main memory

A

the main areas for data storage in a computer - RAM AND ROM

41
Q

What does RAM store

A

OS being used
Data currently in use
programs currently in use

Can READ AND WRITE

‘Random’ means that data can be accessed in any order

42
Q

ROM

A

non volatile (does not lose data when powered off hence long term use)

READ ONLY

43
Q

What does ROM sotre

A

Start up instructions and factory settings

44
Q

Secondary storage

A

Always non volatile

Examples

  • hard disk
  • solid state drive
  • magnetic tape
  • CD DVD Blueray

Or portable versions such as

  • USB
  • CD DVD Blueray
  • memory card
45
Q

What does secondary storage store?

A

Data
Programs
OS

46
Q

Secondary is cheaper than RAM

A

yes, so more capacities of data can be stored

47
Q

Examples of stuff that can be stored on secondary storage

A

Photographs

Games

48
Q

Magnetic storage

A

Consists of A stack of circular platters/disks

Each sector on the disk is then assigned data by the read-write head by being either magnetised (1) or not magnetised (0)

The same read write head can be used to interpret/read the data, by detecting whether each sector is magnetised or not

49
Q

What is a embedded system and examples

A

A dedicated system which performs a specific task and is part of a larger, electrical device.

E.g

TV
ATM

50
Q

Disadvantages of magnetic disk

A

Not portable

Very easily broken, since there are a lot of intricate parts which can easy break

51
Q

Solid state Drive (SSD)

A

Store data in memory cells

Each memory cell has a CHARGE TRAP which can hold an electron since the trap is an insulator.

If there is an electron in a memory cell, it is read as 0 and there isn’t, then it is 1

52
Q

Differences between HDD and SSD

A

SSD is less prone to breakage, since there are less moving parts

SSD a lot faster

SSD are smaller and use less power than HDD

SAD are more expensive than HDD

53
Q

Optical storage consists of…

A

CD
DVD
Blueray

54
Q

How does optical storage work

A

Use LASER to BURN PITS (dents) into disc surface

It is then read by another laser beam, which bounces along the spinning disc and detects if there is a pit (dent) or if there is land (normal, higher surface).

A change from pit to land is a 1 and no change represents 0

55
Q

Difference between CD/DVD and Blueray

A

CDs and DVDs use a red laser beam to detect the doc, but Blueray uses a BLUE laser beam to detect them.

Blue light is shorter than red light, meaning the pits and bumps/lands are smaller, allowing MORE DATA TO BE STORED on Blueray

56
Q

Cloud storage

A

When data is stored online at a remote location using the internet.

A hosting company is usually in charge of this

57
Q

Advantages of cloud storage

A

Can be accessed anywhere with Internet access

Can be accessed on any device with Internet access

Easy to upload any new data, without the additional cost of hardware etc.

The host companies have lots of security, so you know your data is protected