Computer Systems Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the components of the processor?

A
  • Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
  • Control Unit
  • Registers
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2
Q

What does the arithmetic logic unit do?

A

Carries out mathematical operations and logic operations

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3
Q

What does the control unit do?

A

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

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4
Q

What are registers?

A

Temporary storage locations that the CPU uses to store small pieces of data to be accessed quickly

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5
Q

What are the three types of memory?

A
  • Random Access Memory (RAM)
  • Read Only Memory (ROM)
  • Backing Storage
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6
Q

What is random access memory?

A

Storage component that stores currently used programs/data in unique memory locations

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7
Q

What is read only memory?

A

Storage component that stores important instructions in unique memory locations (e.g: how to turn on, how to display media on the monitor etc.)

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8
Q

What is backing storage?

A

Used to save data when the computer is turned off (e.g: CD, DVD, USB, Hard drive etc.)

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9
Q

What are the two bus types?

A
  • Data Bus
  • Address Busa
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10
Q

What does the data bus do?

A

Is bidirectional and carries data to and from the processor and main memory.

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11
Q

What does the address bus do?

A

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

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12
Q

What are high level languages?

A

Human readable instructions that are easy to code and understand

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13
Q

What are low level languages?

A

Machine code - the only instructions that a computer can understand - that is nearly impossible to code or understand

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14
Q

What is translation software?

A

Software to translate high level languages into low level languages so that the computer can understand the program

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15
Q

What are the two types of translation software?

A
  • Interpreter
  • Compiler
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16
Q

What are the advantages of the interpreter?

2

A
  • Quicker to start execution
  • Can highlight lines with errors
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17
Q

What are the disadvantages of the interpreter?

3

A
  • Takes up more space in memory
  • Overall execution time is slow as lines are often translated multiple times if there are loops etc
18
Q

What are the advantages of the compiler?

2

A
  • Execution time is quick because after the translation the code is ready to run
  • Original program soure code is not available to view, edit or plagiarise
19
Q

What are the disadvantages of the compiler?

2

A
  • Unable to identify lines where errors occur
  • Program should be completed and error-free before it is compiled
20
Q

What is floating point representation?

A

Used to store decimal numbers in a computer’s memory

21
Q

What is the mantissa?

A

The numbers that come after the decimal point

22
Q

What is the exponent?

A

The power of the number that is being multiplied by the decimal

23
Q

How many bits represent characters in ASCII?

A

7

24
Q

How many bits represent characters in extended ASCII?

A

8

25
Q

What are characters stored and represented as?

A

Stored as a binary number and represented as a unique number

26
Q

What are control characters?

A

Characters that do not print out anything on the screen, but carry out an action (e.g: delete)

27
Q

What are printable characters?

A

Characters that print onto the screen (e.g: ?)

28
Q

What are bitmapped graphics?

A

Graphics that are stored as a grid of pixels - each pixel is stored as a binary number that represents its colour

29
Q

What are the advantages of bitmapped graphics?

1

A

The file size of a bitmapped graphic doesn’t change when you add more graphics to the file

30
Q

What are the disadvantages of bitmapped graphics?

2

A
  • Bitmapped graphics don’t allow layering, meaning if you place a graphic on top of another the bottom graphic is overwritten
  • They are resolution dependant, so when scaled up they lose their quality and become blurry
31
Q

What are vector graphics?

A

Graphics that are stored as a set of objects - objects are stored as a set of attributes

32
Q

Vector graphics:

What are the four types of objects?

A
  • Rectangle
  • Ellipse (circle)
  • Line
  • Polygon (shape with multiple sides)
33
Q

Vector graphics:

What are the three common attributes?

A
  • Co-ordinates
  • Fill Colour
  • Line Colour
34
Q

What are the advantages of vector graphics?

2

A
  • Not resolution dependnat, so when scaled up they do not lose their quality
  • They support layering, so when an object is placed on top of another the bottom one isn’t overwritten
35
Q

What are the disadvantages of vector graphics?

1

A

The more objects you add to a vector graphic, it will increase the file size and transmission time

36
Q

What is a firewall?

A

A netwrok security system designed to prevent unauthorised access to or from a private network or computer system

37
Q

How does a firewall work?

2

A
  • All messages entering or leaving the network / computer pass through the firewall
  • The firewall examines each messagw and either allows or blocks specific IP addresses or traffic from specific ports
38
Q

What is encryption?

A

When data is coded or made unreadable to prevent unauthorised usage if accessed by third parties

39
Q

What monitor settings can be adjusted to help the environment?

3

A
  • Reduce brightness setting
  • Activate efficiency mode
  • Use energy efficient monitors
40
Q

What power down settings can be adjusted to help the environment?

3

A
  • Power down monitor after set period of time
  • Power down computer system after set period of time
  • Control settings for individual components
41
Q

What standby settings can be adjusted to help the environment?

1

A

Set computer system to be in standy mode, which uses a lot less power