Computer Systems Flashcards
What does hardware mean?
The machines, wiring, and other physical components of a computer or other electronic system
What does software mean?
The programs and other operating information used by a computer
What is system software?
System software is a type of computer program that is designed to run a computer’s hardware and application programs
What is application software?
A computer software package that performs a specific function directly for an end user or, in some cases, for another application.
What does the Arithmetic Logic Unit do in the CPU?
The ALU performs simple addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and logic operations, such as OR and AND
What does the Control Unit do in the CPU?
The control unit of the central processing unit regulates and integrates the operations of the computer
What does the Clock do in the CPU?
CPU clock is for measuring the speed of processor (in Hz unit)
What does the Bus do in the CPU?
A bus is a high-speed internal connection. Buses are used to send control signals and data between the processor and other components
What is the effect of Clock Speed on the CPU?
A computer’s processor clock speed determines how quickly the central processing unit (CPU) can retrieve and interpret instructions
What is the effect of the number of processor cores on the CPU?
CPUs with multiple cores have more power to run multiple programs at the same time. However, doubling the number of cores will not simply double a computer’s speed. CPU cores have to communicate with each other through channels and this uses up some of the extra speed.
What is the effect of Cache Type on the CPU?
It is used to temporarily hold data and instructions that the processor is likely to reuse. The bigger its cache, the less time a processor has to wait for instructions to be fetched.
What is the effect of Cache Size on the CPU?
It is used to temporarily hold data and instructions that the processor is likely to reuse. The bigger its cache, the less time a processor has to wait for instructions to be fetched.
Explain the Fetch-Execute cycle.
The CPU continuously reads instructions stored in main memory and executes them as required:
fetch: the next instruction is fetched to the CPU from main memory
decode: the instruction is decoded to work out what it is
execute: the instruction is executed (carried out). This may include reading/writing from/to main memory.
