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computer systems Flashcards

1
Q

define hardware

A

the physical components that make up a computer system (including input/output storage devices, the CPU and RAM)

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2
Q

define software

A

the non-physical programs that are stored by and run on a computer system

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3
Q

describe the relationship between software and hardware

A

software makes use of physical hardware components and devices as the way of:
- taking inputs from users, outputting information to users and storing information

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4
Q

what is system software; with examples

A

the software that provides a platform for other software to work e.g. operating systems and utility programs

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5
Q

what is application software; with examples

A

any software added to the system that enables the user to perform a task e.g. web browsers, music and video players

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6
Q

what are utility programs; with example

A

programs that perform extra functionality and tasks that keep computers running efficiently e.g. antivirus software

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7
Q

what is an operating system; with example

A

software that manages computer hardware and software and supplies an interface for the user e.g. Microsoft Windows, google chrome

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8
Q

what are operating systems responsible for managing

A

the processor(s), memory, input/output devices, applications and security

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9
Q

how does the OS control processor management

A

it’s responsible for deciding which program will run on the processor and how much time it will get to run

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10
Q

what is multi-tasking

A

where an OS manages many tasks happening at the same time e.g. web browser open whilst playing music and messaging friends

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11
Q

what are interrupts

A

signals sent to the CPU by external devices to indicate an event that needs immediate attention

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12
Q

how are hardware interrupts generated

A

by hardware devices e.g. printer out of paper

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13
Q

how are software interrupts generated

A

by programs e.g. a divide-by-zero error will cause an error message to be displayed

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14
Q

examples of high-level programming languages

A

python, Visual Basic, c#, java

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15
Q

examples of low-level programming languages

A

assembly language, machine code

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16
Q

s

A
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17
Q

advantages of high-level languages

A
  • easier to learn
  • programs can be written faster
  • it is easier to understand and debug
  • it is closer to the language and syntax that we as humans understand
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18
Q

why are most computer programs written in high-level languages

A

because they are easier to understand and are less complex than machine code

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19
Q

what do processors do

A

they execute machine code; each type of processor has its own specific machine code instruction set

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20
Q

what is the correspondence between assembly language and machine code

A

1:1

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21
Q

what is assembly language

A

a low-level language which has to be translated into machine code before it can be executed

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22
Q

what is assembly language used for

A

it’s often used to develop software for embedded systems and for controlling specific hardware components

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23
Q

how are programs using assembly language made to be very efficient

A

they allow the programmer to precisely control any instruction on the processor

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24
Q

what are high-level languages

A

programming languages that have a syntax we can understand; this makes them easier to learn and understand

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25
Q

compare assembly language and machine code

A
  • assembly language allows a programmer to create programs more easily than writing in machine code
  • each assembly language instruction maps directly to machine code
  • programs written in assembly language must be translated to machine code in order to be executed
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26
Q

what is a translator and what are the three types

A

a translator program translates from one programming language to another one; the three types are interpreters, compilers and assemblers

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27
Q

what Is machine code

A

a low-level language that is expressed in binary and is specific to a processor or family of processors

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28
Q

function of a compiler

A

it translates a high-level language into machine code

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29
Q

function of an interpreter

A

another type of program that translates a high-level language into machine code

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30
Q

function of an assembler

A

it translates assembly code into machine code; they assemble source code so it can be run later

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31
Q

difference between interpreters and compilers

A

interpreters translate source code and immediately run it, but compilers compile source code so it can be run later

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32
Q

what do interpreters do instead of directly generating machine code

A

they call appropriate machine code subroutines within their own code to carry out commands

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33
Q

what is a bus

A

a collection of wires through which data/signals are transmitted from one component to another

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34
Q

function of the CPU

A

it processes instructions and runs one instruction at a time; it carries out billions of instructions per second

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35
Q

what is von Neumann architecture

A

a system where the program instructions and the data the programs are using are both stored in the same memory

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36
Q

what are registers

A

very fast small memory locations in the CPU that carry out operations for the control unit and the ALU; they temporarily store calculations

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37
Q

function of the ALU

A

performs arithmetic and logic operations on data

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38
Q

function of the control unit

A

it coordinates and controls all of the activities taking place within the CPU

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39
Q

how does the control unit carry out its function

A
  • it decodes instructions and executes them
  • it receives signals from the system clock
  • it directs the timing and control of other parts of the CPU
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40
Q

function of the clock

A

it controls the timing of the processor

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41
Q

function of the clock

A

it controls the timing of the processor

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42
Q

how does the clock carry out its function

A

it switches between 0 and 1 several million times per second and synchronises all CPU operations

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43
Q

what is clock speed (AKA clock frequency)

A

the number of clock cycles which occur each second

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44
Q

the three buses that make up the system bus

A

address, data and control bus

45
Q

function of the address bus

A

stores the address of the memory or device controller to be read from or written to

46
Q

function of the data bus

A

it carries data throughout the computer system

47
Q

function of the control bus

A

it uses control signals to control all activities within the CPU

48
Q

how does the clock speed affect the performance of the CPU

A

the higher the clock speed, the more instructions the CPU will be able to execute per second; this equates to a better performance of the CPU

49
Q

how does the number of processor cores affect the performance of the CPU

A

the more cores a CPU has, the more duplicate processing units are available to carry out the instructions. if many tasks are running simultaneously, multiple cores will result in a faster execution of instructions

50
Q

how does the cache size affect the performance of the CPU

A

the more cache memory a CPU has, the more likely it is to be accessed from cache, which is much faster than revisiting RAM for the data

51
Q

explain the fetch-execute cycle

A
  • 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 - this may include reading/writing from/to main memory
52
Q

when might multi-core processors not be advantageous

A

some softwares may not be programmed to take full advantage of multiple cores

53
Q

what is cache

A

a small amount of very fast, expensive memory in the CPU

54
Q

why is cache more advantageous than RAM

A

RAM is relatively slow memory to access and is further away from the processor than cache

55
Q

what is RAM

A

it is the main place for storing instructions and data whilst a program is being executed; it’s also called main memory

56
Q

what is ROM

A

a flash memory chip that contains a small amount of non-volatile memory

57
Q

define non-volatile

A

its contents cannot be changed and it retains its memory after the computer is turned off

58
Q

define volatile

A

all the memory content is lost when the power is interrupted or switched off

59
Q

define main memory

A

any form of memory that is directly accessible by the CPU, except for cache and registers

60
Q

define secondary storage

A

any non-volatile storage mechanism not directly accessible by the CPU

61
Q

why is primary storage needed in von neumann architecture

A

to store programs that are currently running and need to be accessed by the CPU

62
Q

what does RAM normally store

A
  • the operating system (or part currently in use)
  • the software currently in use
  • the data which the software is using
63
Q

where does the name Random Access memory come from

A

the ability of the CPU to access any part of the memory in the same amount of time

64
Q

what’’s faster to access, RAM or a hard drive

A

RAM

65
Q

describe how RAM is volatile

A

the computer stores running programs and data in RAM when your computer is turned on. when it turns off, data stored in RAM is lost; it loses data if the power is off

66
Q

describe how hard drives are volatile

A

all your programs and data are stored permanently on your hard drive; it doesn’t lose the data if the power is off

67
Q

describe how ROM is used to store data

A

some data needs to be permanently held in primary storage, even when a computer has no power; ROM stores this, as data isn’t lost if the power is off

68
Q

differences between RAM and ROM

A
  • RAM has a lot more storage space than ROM
  • RAM is used to store running programs and operating system, ROM is used to store BIOS and bootstrap
  • you can read and write to RAM, but you can only read ROM
  • RAM is volatile, ROM is not
69
Q

what is ROM used to store

A
  • the initial program that is run when the computer is turned on (the bootstrap)
  • it tells the computer where it will find the operating system on the hard drive
  • stores the basic input/output system (BIOS)
70
Q

function of the BIOS

A

controls basic technical configuration of the computer such as the processor speed and system time; it can run without a hard drive or other secondary storage being present

71
Q

what is secondary storage

A

a type of storage where the data remains when there is no power; non-volatile

72
Q

examples of secondary storage

A

hard drives, DVD drives, CD drives, removable flash media (USB stick/SD card)

73
Q

two types of primary storage

A

RAM and ROM

74
Q

differences between main memory and secondary storage

A
  • main memory is volatile (RAM), secondary storage is non-volatile
  • main memory is very fast to read/write, secondary storage is very slow to read/write
  • main memory is expensive, secondary storage is cheap
  • main memory stores data and programs currently in use by the computer system, secondary storage permanently stores data to be used when needed
  • main memory is directly accessible by CPU, secondary storage is not directly accessibly by CPU
75
Q

what is memory

A

it refers to RAM; it is volatile and can be directly accessed by the CPU

76
Q

what is a USB

A

a type of storage device that is non-volatile but cannot be directly accessed by the CPU

77
Q

what is storage

A

devices that keep the data even when the computer is turned off (non-volatile)

78
Q

uses of secondary storage

A
  • programs and data are stored on hard drive
  • blu-rays may be used to distribute films
  • memory sticks may be used to transport data from one place to another
  • magnetic tape or external hard drives may be used for backup
  • SD cards can be used for additional storage on cameras and smartphones i.e. for music, videos and photos
79
Q

how does magnetic storage work

A

mechanical parts move over the disks surface to read and write data magnetically, or a drive head reads a magnetic tape

80
Q

how does optical storage work

A

lasers read and write data using light

81
Q

how does solid state storage work

A

data is recorded onto solid memory chips without any moving parts

82
Q

features of magnetic disks

A
  • they have disks which contain concentric circles called tracks
  • each track is divided into sectors
  • disk heads mounted on mechanical arms read and write the data
83
Q

what is a hard disk

A

a disk with a solid platter

84
Q

features of a hard disk

A
  • they have a magnetic platter which contains the data
  • the drive read/write head reads data on the drive
  • the drive spindle rotates
  • the actuator moves the read/write arm
85
Q

pros and cons of magnetic storage

A

ADVANTAGES:
- cheap
- large storage capacities
-relatively fast write speed

DISADVANTAGES:
- lots of mechanical parts
- not very durable
- sealed unit due to the disk head and platter precision
- it isn’t very portable

86
Q

uses of magnetic storage

A

for storing large quantities of data on personal computers

87
Q

features of optical disks

A
  • the data is stored as pits and lands burnt or pressed into a spiral track circulating outwards from the centre
  • a laser beam passes over the pits and lands; the level of reflection is measured
  • from this signal, 0s and 1s can be derived
88
Q

pros and cons of optical storage

A

ADVANTAGES:
- cheap
- very easily portable
- takes up little space physically

DISADVANTAGES:
- less storage capacity compared to other types
- easily damaged/scratched
- requires a CD reader
- slow write speeds

89
Q

uses of optical storage

A

storing songs, videos and other multi-media storage; backup and archiving of data

90
Q

features of solid state drives

A
  • they use non-volatile flash memory to store information
  • they have very fast read/write speeds as they don’t need to wait for a disk to spin to the correct location and an arm to move
  • no mechanical or moving parts meaning these disks are very durable
91
Q

how does flash memory work

A

a large electric current is used to force electrons through a barrier and trap them on the other side; they remain on the other side until flashed with a new current; trapped = 0, not trapped = 1

92
Q

pros and cons of SSDs

A

ADVANTAGES:
- highly durable because there’s no moving parts
- very fast read/write speeds
- no noisy fan or drive arm
- faster start up times
- large storage capacity

DISADVANTAGES:
- more expensive than magnetic hard disks

93
Q

what storage does cloud storage use

A

magnetic and/or solid state storage at a remote location

94
Q

pros of cache

A

ADVANTAGES:
- stores recently used data so is available extremely quickly
- accesses data faster than RAM

DISADVANTAGES:
- can only hold a small amount of memory
- expensive

95
Q

what is cloud storage

A

saving data in an off-site storage system maintained by a third party, e.g. dropbox, google drive

96
Q

how does cloud storage work

A
  • data is saved at servers to a remote location
  • these servers can use magnetic and/or solid-state storage
  • the data is accessed via the internet
97
Q

why would cloud storage make use of multiple copies of the same data stored at different locations

A

if one data centre had a fire, the data could be accessed from another

98
Q

how can some cloud storage meet data protection requirements

A

some providers may let the customer choose which country the data is stored in

99
Q

pros of cloud storage

A
  • easy to use
  • high data storage capacity
  • convenient to use; users can access data from anywhere with an internet connection
  • backups are carried out by the cloud provider so saves the need for local backups
  • data storage capacity can be increased easily if the user needs more
100
Q

cons of cloud storage

A
  • data cannot be accessed without an internet connection
  • uploading and downloading data could take a long time
  • the user has to pay more money to increase storage capacity
  • security and privacy concerns with some providers
101
Q

what is an embedded system

A

a computer system that uses programmed processors embedded onto a single circuit board; a single microprocessor with RAM, ROM and the CPU. used to control a device using simple inputs

102
Q

how are embedded systems adapted to their function

A

they’re designed to carry out a small number of specific tasks very efficiently

103
Q

examples of embedded systems

A

watches, mobile phones, fitness trackers, pacemakers etc

104
Q

pros of embedded systems

A
  • they’re highly efficient at performing tasks
  • they’re extremely reliable
  • they’re easy to design
  • they’re cheap to produce
  • they’re compact in size
  • they’re low in power consumption
105
Q

cons of embedded systems

A
  • they’re slow
  • new software can’t be installed on them
106
Q

difference between embedded and non-embedded systems

A

a standard OS creates an environment where a user and the computer may interact with one another to perform a huge variety of tasks; an embedded system, however, will only perform one type of task, and it will often do it without any, or little, user intervention

107
Q

examples of non-embedded systems

A

desktop PC, laptop

108
Q

examples of non-embedded systems

A

desktop PC, laptop

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