Computer Systems

Question 1

Hardware

Answer 1

Physical components of a computer system

Question 2

Hardware

Answer 2

Physical components of a computer system

Question 3

Software

Answer 3

Set of data and instructions used to perform tasks

Question 4

System Software

Answer 4

Software used to manage and maintain the computer

Question 5

Application Software

Answer 5

Software used to perform specific tasks

Question 6

Role of OS

Answer 6

Manage resources processes are competing for - hide complexities of hardware

Question 7

Memory manager

Answer 7

Allocate how much memory to a process , keeps track of memory during process , part of OS

Question 8

Device Driver

Answer 8

Piece of software that allows computer to communicate with another device ( usually a peripheral )

Question 9

Low level language

Answer 9

Machine code , Assembly language . Specific to instruction set of processor , allow more control for programmer

Question 10

High level language

Answer 10

Python , C++ etc , portable but need to be translated into machine code . - easier for programmer to understand and debug

Question 11

Embedded System

Answer 11

Small computer that forms part of a larger system - performs a limited number of tasks

Question 12

Bus

Answer 12

Set of parallel wires through which data is transmitted between components

Question 13

ROM

Answer 13

Read only memory , non volatile - retain data when turned off .

Question 14

Why is secondary storage needed

Answer 14

Secondary storage needed to store system and user data within sessions

Question 15

Von Neumann Architecture

Answer 15

Data and instructions stored in shared memory

Question 16

Cache Memory

Answer 16

Very fast memory found close to / on CPU . Store most frequently used instructions + data so CPU doesn’t retrieve from RAM every time needed

Question 17

Multi Core Processor

Answer 17

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 )

Question 18

Cloud Storage

Answer 18

Storage than can be accessed over the internet - data stored in servers in data centres with contain many SSD / HDD

Question 19

Clock in a processor

Answer 19

Generate regular signals used to synchronise operation of other processor components

Question 20

In CPU , what does ALU do ?

Answer 20

Perform logical , arithmetic operations and comparisons

Question 21

In CPU what does CU do ?

Answer 21

control unit contain clock . Also organises other components in CPU , managing executions of instructions