computer systems Flashcards
how are floating point numbers stored
mantissa and exponent
how many bits does extended ASCII use
8 bits
what are controllable character and printable character
controllable = signals that do not appear as printed symbols in the text
printable = letters, numbers and symbols that you see on the screen.
how to calculate the space needed to store the message in bits
no of letters x 8 bits
to convert into bytes = no of letters x 8 bits / 8
how is a bitmap graphic stored
in a grid of pixels where each pixel has a colour associated to it
how is vector graphic stored
in vector graphic image is made up of shapes called objects and each object has a list of attributes
registers
small amount of temporary memory inside the processor, holds data and instructions while they are being processed
arithmetic and logic unit
does all calculations and logic/comparisons
control unit
decodes and executes instructions.
Keeps all of the other parts of the processor in time with its clock
main memory
divided into memory locations. Each location has a unique memory address. Connected to the processor by address and data buses.
processor
dos all the thinking of the computer - 3 parts ALU, control unit and registers
address bus
carries addresses in one direction from processor to main memory
data bus
carries data and instructions in both directions between memory and processor
state the part of the processor that keeps other parts in time using the clock
control unit
state the bus that carries addresses from the processor to main memory
address bus
