Computer Systems Flashcards
Hardware
Physical components of a computer system
Hardware
Physical components of a computer system
Software
Set of data and instructions used to perform tasks
System Software
Software used to manage and maintain the computer
Application Software
Software used to perform specific tasks
Role of OS
Manage resources processes are competing for - hide complexities of hardware
Memory manager
Allocate how much memory to a process , keeps track of memory during process , part of OS
Device Driver
Piece of software that allows computer to communicate with another device ( usually a peripheral )
Low level language
Machine code , Assembly language . Specific to instruction set of processor , allow more control for programmer
High level language
Python , C++ etc , portable but need to be translated into machine code . - easier for programmer to understand and debug
Embedded System
Small computer that forms part of a larger system - performs a limited number of tasks
Bus
Set of parallel wires through which data is transmitted between components
ROM
Read only memory , non volatile - retain data when turned off .
Why is secondary storage needed
Secondary storage needed to store system and user data within sessions
Von Neumann Architecture
Data and instructions stored in shared memory
Cache Memory
Very fast memory found close to / on CPU . Store most frequently used instructions + data so CPU doesn’t retrieve from RAM every time needed
Multi Core Processor
Processor with 1 or more core - ( double the core does not mean double the speed , cores must wait in turn to access RAM and communicate with other cores )
Cloud Storage
Storage than can be accessed over the internet - data stored in servers in data centres with contain many SSD / HDD
Clock in a processor
Generate regular signals used to synchronise operation of other processor components
In CPU , what does ALU do ?
Perform logical , arithmetic operations and comparisons
In CPU what does CU do ?
control unit contain clock . Also organises other components in CPU , managing executions of instructions
