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CompSci: Paper 2 > Computer Systems > Flashcards

Computer Systems Flashcards

1
Q

What is hardware?

A

The physical component of an ICT system (computer system)

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2
Q

What is software?

A

The instructions given to a computer to perform a task/ the programs on a computer

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3
Q

What is the relationship between hardware and software?

A

In order for a computer to produce a useful output, hardware and software must work together. Nothing useful can be done with the computer hardware on its own and software cannot be used without supporting hardware

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4
Q

What are 2 types of software?

A

Application software
System software

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5
Q

What is the function of application software and give examples

A

A software that enables the used to perform a specific task
e.g. presentation, spreadsheet, database

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6
Q

What is the function of system software and give examples

A

A software which helps the user control and make the best use of the computer hardware and other programs.
It acts as a platform to run application software.
(Manages the computer’s resources and acts as a platform for application software to run)
e.g. Operating system (android, OS, Microsoft), utility programs (anti

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7
Q

What are the 2 types of system software?

A

Operating systems
Utility software

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8
Q

What is an operating system?

A

Manages computer hardware and software - controls hardware (communicate input and output devices), provides a platform for software to run on, provides an interface, controls memory management and allocation, organises the CPU and its processing tasks.
(A suite of programs that manage and control the computer).

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9
Q

What is a utility system?

A

Helps maintain the computer system e.g. Defragmentation, Disk clean up, Compression, Backup, Encryption, Virus scanners, System clean up

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10
Q

What are the 5 things that the OS manages?

A

I/O
Processor(s)
Memory
Applications
Security

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11
Q

How does the OS manage I/O?

A

OS uses a device driver, containing instructions on how to control the device, which are given to the OS. Each connected device has its own device driver.
Using drivers means any device can be with the operating system, as long as there is a driver available for it
Updates can be released to fix bugs or improve performance
They can translate OS instructions into commands that the hardware will understand

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12
Q

How does the OS manage the processor(s)?

A

Schedule the most efficient order for instructions to be executed, each process is allocated a ‘priority’ - the highest priority is executed first.
When a software is opened, the OS finds it and loads it into RAM, instructing the CPU to execute the program.
Manages multitasking by swapping between processes extremely fast

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13
Q

What is multitasking?

A

Running more than one program simultaneously

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14
Q

Under what conditions is multitasking possible?

A

OS supports multitasking
Computer has enough memory to hold more than one program in primary memory at the same time

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15
Q

How does the OS manage memory?

A

It must be managed in order for more than one program to run at the same time.
When a program is loaded, a section of it is saved into RAM.
It controls how much RAM a program has access to .
Different applications are allocated different memory addresses to keep their processes in separate locations and so they don’t overwrite or interfere with each other.

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16
Q

How does the OS manage applications?

A

It provides a platform for the application to run.
Allows application software to access hardware.
Provides a user interface that applications are accessed through

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17
Q

How does the OS manage security?

A

User account control, allow different users to be granted access to specific data resources.
Anti-theft measures to prevent other users from accessing blocked or locked devices or accounts. They may be protected using a password or pin

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18
Q

What is defragmentation?

A

The process of reorganising the data stored on a hard drive so related pieces of data are put back together. Decreasing read-write time and increasing performance.

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19
Q

What is a general purpose computer?

A

A computer that is made to carry out many different tasks e.g. phones, tablets, gaming consoles, media systems in cars

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20
Q

What is a computer?

A

A machine made to take in data, process it, and produce an output

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21
Q

What are embedded systems?

A

Computers with a dedicated function built into other devices (forms part of a larger system)

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22
Q

What are non-embedded systems?

A

A general purpose computer, jeez

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23
Q

What are the features of embedded systems?

A

They are not programmable by the user,
Used as control systems to monitor and control machinery in order to achieve a desired result

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24
Q

What are the advantages of embedded systems?

A

Limited number or functions - cheaper to design and easier build
Use less power - can be built using cheaper, less powerful processors
Smaller, can be more compact = more portable
More reliable, last longer with less maintenance
Use ROM - cheaper than RAM
Will generally perform better

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25
Q

What are the 5 CPU components you need to know?

A

ALU
Control unit
Registers
Busses
Clock
(and maybe cache)

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26
Q

What is fragmentation?

A

When a single file is stored a multiple segments along the hard disk - the more fragmented files there are, the slower the device runs

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27
Q

What is the function of the ALU?

A

Performs calculations and logical operations (to be stored in the registers)

28
Q

What is the function of the Control Unit?

A

Fetches, decodes and executes instructions
Moves data around the system and issues control signals around hardware

29
Q

What is the function of the Registers?

A

Small amounts of high speed memory that is about to be immediately used. Each holds memory for a specific task during processing. e.g.
Results from calculations
The address of the next instruction waiting to be executed
The instruction that is being decoded currently

30
Q

What is the function of Busses?

A

Collections of parallel wires that transmit data around CPU components and other parts of the computer system.
Includes the data bus, address bus (memory address to I/O) and control bus (carries pulse from the clock)

31
Q

What is the function of the Clock?

A

Sends out an electrical signal that continually cycles between 1 and 0 to coordinate all the CPU components.
Clock speed is measured in Hertz and is the number of clock cycles per second

32
Q

What is the CPU?

A

The brain of the computer, processes all data and instructions that make the system work.

33
Q

How does the number of processor cores affect CPU performance?

A

The more processor core there are, the faster the CPU will be

34
Q

What is the function of the Cache?

A

Contains high-speed, onboard memory that the CPU is likely to reuse. This allows for faster processing as data does not need to be fetched all the way from RAM

35
Q

How does cache size affect CPU performance?

A

Bigger cache size = faster
The bigger the cache, the less time a processor has to wait for instructions to be fetched as cache is physically closer to the CPU.

36
Q

How does clock speed affect CPU performance?

A

The faster the clock speed, the more fetch-decode-execute cycles can be performed over a set time, thus increasing CPU performance

37
Q

How does the number of processor cores affect CPU performance?

A

Each core processes its own set of data, they do this simultaneously. This means that a greater amount of data can be processed over a certain amount of time

38
Q

Describe the FDE cycle

A

Fetch - instructions/ data are fetched from main memory and brought to the CPU
Decode - Instructions are processed, they are turned into binary code for the computer to be able to read them and
Execute - the instruction is carried out, producing a result

39
Q

What are the different types of primary memory within a computer?

A

RAM
ROM
Cache
Registers

40
Q

What is volatile memory?

A

Memory that will be lost when the power is turned off

41
Q

What is non-volatile memory?

A

Memory that will not be lost when the power is turned off

42
Q

What is primary storage?

A

The component of the computer that holds data, programs and instructions that are currently in use.
Directly accessible by the CPU

43
Q

What is the bootstrap loader?

A

The piece of software that loads the operating system

44
Q

What is RAM?

A

Random Access Memory - Volatile memory that is constantly being written to and read from. When the power is cut off all of its contents are lost

45
Q

What is ROM?

A

Read-only memory - Non-volatile memory that can only be read from, but not written to.

46
Q

What is the BIOS?

A

Basic Input Output System - checks that the computer is functioning properly and then loads the bootstrap program

47
Q

Why is secondary storage needed?

A

It keeps programs and data indefinitely

48
Q

What is secondary storage?

A

Storage not directly accessible by the CPU, containing non-volatile memory

49
Q

Why is secondary storage slower?

A

It doesn’t have direct access to the CPU

50
Q

Compare secondary storage to primary storage

A

All non-volatile
Much larger than primary storage
Cheaper per Gb
Slower

51
Q

What is the drive?

A

The device that reads and writes data from secondary storage

52
Q

What is the media?

A

What the data on secondary storage is actually stored on

53
Q

Describe how data is read from a CD (optical storage)

A

The CD contains a single spiral track, containing pits and lands which reflect light in different ways. There is a laser shone at the tracks and then picked up by a sensor, which either detects the laser being reflected, or not. Depending on the amount of light picked up, a bit pattern is generated. Disk rotates at high speed

54
Q

What are positives of optical storage?

A

Cheap
Light weight
Portable

55
Q

What are the negatives of optical storage?

A

Easily scratched
Low capacity
Slow read/ write speed

56
Q

Describe how data is read from a hard disk (magnetic storage)?

A

Made up of a stack of magnetised metal rings (cylinder), which spin at high speeds. Tiny heads move across the disk which magnetise the tiny bumps on the disk. Bumps are organised into concentric rings called tracks. Depending on the direction of the magnetic field, a bit pattern is generated. Data is read from one sector at a time

57
Q

What are the positives of magnetic storage?

A

Extremely high capacity
Very reliable

58
Q

What are the negatives of magnetic storage?

A

Not portable at all
Low cost per Gb but lots of it is required
Not very durable, susceptible to damage from moving parts and magnetic fields
Slow access times

59
Q

Describe how data is read from an SSD (solid state)?

A

Built from transistors, which are arranged in a block of columns and rows. Depending on whether the transistor conducts current or not, a bit pattern is generated.

60
Q

What are the positives of solid state storage?

A

Fast read/ write speed
Very good portability
Very durable
Very reliable
Quiet

61
Q

What are the negatives of solid state storage?

A

Extremely expensive per Gb

62
Q

What is cloud storage?

A

Storing data online rather than on a local device. It is stored on servers and can be accessed from the internet.
It is accessible from multiple devices rather than stored on just one. It uses magnetic and increasingly solid state at a remote location

63
Q

What are the advantages of cloud storage?

A

Accessible from multiple devices
Files can be shared/ made public
No need to buy expensive hardware

64
Q

What are the disadvantages of cloud storage?

A

Requires a connection to the internet

65
Q

Describe the purpose of main memory

A

Holds instructions and data while a program is executing, giving fast access to the data and instructions main memory holds

CompSci: Paper 2 (7 decks)

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