Computer Systems Flashcards
What are the components of the processor?
- Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
- Control Unit
- Registers
What does the arithmetic logic unit do?
Carries out mathematical operations and logic operations
What does the control unit do?
Controls all the hardware that is part of the computer. Clock line, which is part of the control unit, dictates when the hardware should execute the next instruction
What are registers?
Temporary storage locations that the CPU uses to store small pieces of data to be accessed quickly
What are the three types of memory?
- Random Access Memory (RAM)
- Read Only Memory (ROM)
- Backing Storage
What is random access memory?
Storage component that stores currently used programs/data in unique memory locations
What is read only memory?
Storage component that stores important instructions in unique memory locations (e.g: how to turn on, how to display media on the monitor etc.)
What is backing storage?
Used to save data when the computer is turned off (e.g: CD, DVD, USB, Hard drive etc.)
What are the two bus types?
- Data Bus
- Address Busa
What does the data bus do?
Is bidirectional and carries data to and from the processor and main memory.
What does the address bus do?
Is unidirectional and carries the address in which the data on the data bus is to be read from or save to from the processor to the main memory
What are high level languages?
Human readable instructions that are easy to code and understand
What are low level languages?
Machine code - the only instructions that a computer can understand - that is nearly impossible to code or understand
What is translation software?
Software to translate high level languages into low level languages so that the computer can understand the program
What are the two types of translation software?
- Interpreter
- Compiler
What are the advantages of the interpreter?
2
- Quicker to start execution
- Can highlight lines with errors