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Computer Systems Flashcards

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
Boolean
True or false
26
Not gate shape
Triangle Gives an output opposite to the input
27
AND gate shape
D shape Gives a true output ONLY IF both inputs are true
28
OR gate shape
Arrow shape Gives true output if AT LEAST ONE input is true
29
XOR gate shape (exclusive or)
Arrow with a line before it Gives true output if ONLY ONE input is true
30
How to write NOT gate in letter
Letter with a line on top of it
31
How to Worte AND gate on letters
A full stop between letters E.g. A and B Is A.B
32
How to write OR gate in letters
A plus sign E.g. A or B Is A + B
33
How to write XOR gate in letters
A plus sign with a circle around it
34
Control unit
Manages the execution of all instructions by making sure all components run at the correct time
35
Clock
Sends out electrical pulses to synchronise all ocmponents
36
Bus
Electrical components which connect CPU to memory Address Data Control
37
FACTORS EFFECTING CPU PERFOMANC
clock speed (faster speed better performance Number of processor cores (more cores, better performance) Cache size (larger size is better) Cache type
38
Unit for clock speed
Hz
39
Cache
Small section of high speed memory contain frequently used instructions, to speed up execution (without having to fetch from RAM) Imporces performance
40
Main memory
the main areas for data storage in a computer - RAM AND ROM
41
What does RAM store
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
ROM
non volatile (does not lose data when powered off hence long term use) READ ONLY
43
What does ROM sotre
Start up instructions and factory settings
44
Secondary storage
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
What does secondary storage store?
Data Programs OS
46
Secondary is cheaper than RAM
yes, so more capacities of data can be stored
47
Examples of stuff that can be stored on secondary storage
Photographs | Games
48
Magnetic storage
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
What is a embedded system and examples
A dedicated system which performs a specific task and is part of a larger, electrical device. E.g TV ATM
50
Disadvantages of magnetic disk
Not portable Very easily broken, since there are a lot of intricate parts which can easy break
51
Solid state Drive (SSD)
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
Differences between HDD and SSD
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
Optical storage consists of…
CD DVD Blueray
54
How does optical storage work
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
Difference between CD/DVD and Blueray
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
Cloud storage
When data is stored online at a remote location using the internet. A hosting company is usually in charge of this
57
Advantages of cloud storage
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

Computer Science (3 decks)

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