Computer Systems

Question 1

What is hardware?

Answer 1

The physical components of a computer system, such as the cpu, SSD or keyboard.

Question 2

What is software?

Answer 2

Any set of instructions that tell the hardware what to do.

Question 3

What’s the difference between system software and application software?

Answer 3

System software: manages hardware resources so users don’t have to write their own programs.

Application software: enables users to use apps and a variety of tasks.

Question 4

What are the roles of the operating system?

Answer 4

Manages hardware resources.
Provides user interface
Handles file management and multitasking

Question 5

Explain the von Neumann architecture

Answer 5

Consists of CPU, memory, input/output devices and control unit.
Programs stored in system memory,p and the. Fetched and executed sequentially.

Question 6

Describe the roles of ALU, control unit, clock, registers, and bus within a CPU.

Answer 6

ALU: Performs arithmetic and logic operations.
Control Unit: Coordinates CPU activities.
Clock: Synchronizes tasks.
Registers: Fast storage.
Bus: Connects components.

Question 7

What factors affect CPU performance?

Answer 7

Clock speed (GHz).
Cache size.
Number of cores.
Instruction set architecture

Question 8

Explain fetch execute cycle:

Answer 8

Fetch: program counter holds memory address of next instruction and the CPU sends this to the memory via the address bus. It’s then retrieved and placed in current instruction register.

Decode: CPU exams instruction in CIR and decides the operation to be performed (add, subtract…..)

Execute: CPU carries out operation and results are stored in the Accumulator. The cycle then repeats for the next instruction.

Question 9

Random access memory and read only firmware differences:

Answer 9

Ram is volatile memory you can work on whilst Rom is non volatile firmware you can only view.

Question 10

What is secondary storage and why is it needed?

Answer 10

Secondary storage (e.g., hard drives, SSDs) stores data long-term.
Needed because RAM is volatile (loses data when powered off) and stores data permanently somewhere else.

Question 11

Describe optical, magnetic, and solid-state secondary storage

Answer 11

Optical: CDs, DVDs (uses laser to) read/write). Lands and pits.
Magnetic: Hard drives (uses magnetic disks).
Solid State: SSDs (no moving parts, faster).

Question 12

What’s cloud storage?

Answer 12

Remote data storage accessible by internet

Question 13

What are cloud storage’s advantages and disadvantages?

Answer 13

Advantages: Accessibility, scalability, backup.
Disadvantages: Security, reliance on internet.

Question 14

What’s an embedded system?

Answer 14

Small computes within devices with limited and specific functions.

Question 15

What are the different types of programming languages?

Answer 15

High-Level Languages: These languages allow programmers to write instructions in a language that is easier to understand than low-level languages. Examples include C, C++, Java, and Python.

Low-Level Languages: Low-level languages provide less abstraction from the hardware. They interact directly with the computer’s registers and memory. Examples include assembly language and machine code.

Question 16

Compare compilers and interpreters:

Answer 16

Compilers: A compiler takes the entire source code and translates it into object code all at once. The resulting object code can be run independently. Compilers optimize code for efficiency and create executable files.

Interpreters: Interpreters translate source code into object code one instruction at a time. They execute the code immediately. Think of it like a human translator translating sentence by sentence as someone speaks.

Question 17

Describe assemblers:

Answer 17

Assemblers convert low-level or assembly language code into machine code. They are used for specific hardware architectures.

Question 18

Advantages and disadvantages of compilers and interpreters:

Answer 18

Compilers are quick and efficient but you won’t be able to see a problem in your code until it’s fully translated.

Interpreters are slow but you can see if each line of code is right and make changes accordingly.

Question 19

State features of high level languages:

Answer 19

High-Level Languages:
Programmer-friendly and easy to understand.
Less memory-efficient.
Debugging is easier.
Simple to maintain.
Portable across platforms.
Requires a compiler or interpreter for translation.
Examples: C, C++, Java, python

Question 20

State features of low level languages:

Answer 20

Low-Level Languages:
Machine-friendly but tough for humans to understand.
High memory efficiency.
Debugging is more complex.
Complex to maintain.
Non-portable (specific to hardware architecture).
Requires an assembler for translation.
Examples: Assembly language, machine code.

Question 21

How do interpreters, compilers, and assemblers differ in program translation?

Answer 21

Compilers:
Translate the entire source code into object code (compilation).
Resulting object code can be run independently.
Optimizes code for efficiency.
Supplies executable files.

Interpreters:
Translate source code into object code one instruction at a time (interpretation).
Execute code immediately.
Useful for debugging and dynamic environments.

Assemblers:
Convert low-level or assembly language code into machine code.
Used for specific hardware architectures.
Essential for programming at the hardware level.

Question 22

What are the differences between main memory and secondary storage?

Answer 22

Main Memory (Primary Memory):
Temporary storage directly accessible by the CPU.
Holds data and instructions currently being processed.
Faster but volatile (wiped out when the computer is turned off).
Examples: RAM, cache memory.
Secondary Storage (Mass Storage):
Additional storage devices for permanent data retention.
Accessed via primary memory.
Non-volatile (retains data even when power is off).
Examples: Hard disk, solid-state drives, CDs, DVDs.
Provides abundant capacity for long-term storage.