Computer Systems Flashcards
PC program counter
Holds the address of the NEXT instruction that will be executed
MAR memory address register
Holds the address where data needs to be fetched from/needs to be stored into
RAM
Random access memory - stores all data. Finds the address supplied by the MAR and takes the data that was stored in there
MBR
Memory buffer register - holds temporarily the instruction, to allow the previous instruction to complete its execution
CIR
current instruction register - holds the current instrauction while it is being decoded and executed
What is code broken down into
Op code and operand
ALU
arithmetic logic. Unit. Performs any mathematical or logical operations
Accumulator
Stores or executes the instruction
Character set
All characters that a computer can use
Number base
specifies how a,my digits ( including 0)are needed to form all other numbers with a certain numbering system
How does Von Neumann architecture work
Both software and data are stored in the same memory. Data and instructions pass between the CPU and RAM while a program is running
Can more than one program be running in main memory
Yes
Memory management
In charge of allocating memory to the different processes that occur in a computer system
I/O management
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.
Processors scheduling
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
System software
Controls the computer and makes the hardware work. Without it, the computer doesn’t work
Application software
Does useful things for the user
Example of system software
Translators
Example of applicarion software
Word processing software
How does System software work
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)
is ROM volatile?
No, it is NON-VOLATILE
Name some functions of the OS
I/O management
Memory management
Processor scheduling