Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

computer science > computer systems > Flashcards

computer systems Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

define hardware

A

any physical components that make up the computer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

define software

A

any program that runs on the computer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what is the symbol for a NOT gate?

A

a triangle with a circle

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what is the symbol for an AND gate?

A

a D

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what is the symbol for an OR gate?

A

a kite

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what is the symbol for an XOR gate?

A

a kite with an extra line

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what is the truth table for a NOT gate?

A

(opposites)
input a input b
0 1
1 0

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what is the truth table for an AND gate?

A

(all 0, except 1-1)
input a input b output c
0 0 0
0 1 0
1 0 0
1 1 1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what is the truth table for an OR gate?

A

(all 1, except 0-0)
input a input b output c
0 0 0
0 1 1
1 0 1
1 1 1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what is the truth table for an XOR gate?

A

(opposites are 1)
input a input b output c
0 0 0
0 1 1
1 0 1
1 1 0

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what is the Boolean expression for a NOT gate?

A

B = Ā (bar above letter represents NOT)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what is the Boolean expression for an AND gate?

A

C = A . B (dot represents AND)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what is the Boolean expression for an OR gate?

A

C = A + B (plus represents OR)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what is the Boolean expression for an XOR gate?

A

C = A ⊕ B (circle with plus represents XOR)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

explain what system software means

A

programs that are helps run or manage a computer system

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

explain what application software is

A

programs that enables a user to perform a task

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

what are some examples of system software?

A

-operating systems (OS) - Windows, Android, Mac, Chrome
-utility programs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

what are some examples of application software?

A

spreadsheets, databases, word processors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

define operating systems (OS)

A

a group of programs that manages the computer’s resources

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

what is the function / what does the operating system (OS) manage?

A

-manages CPU and its processing tasks
-manages memory
-communicate with input/output devices via driver devices
-provide platforms for applications to run on
-manages security
-provides a user interface

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

explain the main differences between low-level and high-level languages

A

-one instruction of HL code = many instructions of machine code, whereas one instruction of assembly code = one instruction of machine code
-same HL code works for many different machines/processors, whereas LL code usually for one type of machine
-HL code is easy to read, understand, modify, whereas LL is hard
-HL code must be translated before read, whereas commands in machine code can be executed directly
-HL does not have much control of CPU therefore programs are less memory efficient and slower, whereas LL controls exactly what the CPU does and how it uses memory therefore it is more memory efficient and faster

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

examples of high-level language

A

Python, Visual Basic, C++, Java, JavaScript

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

examples of low-level language

A

assembly language and machine code

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

explain the difference between machine code and assembly language

A

machine code is a set of instructions that the CPU understands directly and can act upon and is expressed in binary (0 and 1s). it is specific to a processor/family of processors.

assembly language is used to develop software for embedded systems and from controlling specific hardware components

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

what type of programming code should be translated?

A

high-level
assembly language

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

what is an interpreter?

A

-call machine code subroutines to translate high-level code (source code) into machine code one instruction at a time (interpretation)

27
Q

what is a complier?

A

-translate high-level code (source code) into machine code (compilation) all in one go
-single line of high-level code = multiple machine code instructions

28
Q

what is an assembler?

A

-translates assembly language directly into machine code
-each assembly language needs its own unique assembler
-single line of assembly code = single machine code instruction

29
Q

explain the main differences between the compiler and interpreter

A

-I translates and runs source code ONE instruction at a time and DOESN’T creates an executable file, C translates ALL source code at the same time and CREATES an executable file

-I is needed every time you want to run a program, C is needed once to create the executable file

-I returns the FIRST error it finds and STOPS, C returns a LIST of errors at the end of compiling

-I runs more slowly because code is being translated as program is running, C takes a long time compiling but after run quickly

30
Q

define a source code

A

any program written in high-level language

31
Q

define object code

A

code produced by a complier or assembler

32
Q

explain the role and operation of main memory

A

the component of the computer that holds data and programs CURRENTLY in use

33
Q

Explain the role of the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) in the Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A

-performs arithmetic and logic calculations
-transfers data between the Control Unit (CU) and Registers

34
Q

Explain the role of the Control Unit (CU)

A

-fetches, decodes, executes instructions
-controls the flow of data

35
Q

Explain the role of a clock

A

-sends out regular electrical pulses to synchronise and coordinate all computer components

36
Q

Explain the role of a register

A

-holds any data, instructions and memory addresses that are about o be used by the CPU
-is a fast memory location
-one specific register for every task

37
Q

Explain the role of a bus

A

-a collection of wires that are used to transmit data between components of the CPU and other part of a computer system

38
Q

Explain the effects of clock speed on the performance of the CPU

A

greater the clock speed, the faster instructions (CPU) will be executed

39
Q

Explain the effects of the number of processor cores on the performance of the CPU

A

greater number of cores, the greater number of instructions can be executed in a given time

40
Q

Explain the effects of cache size on the performance of the CPU

A

bigger the cache size, the less time a processor has to wait for instructions to be fetched

41
Q

Explain the Fetch-Decode-Execute cycle

A

Fetch:
-the Control Unit reads the memory address of the next CPU instruction
-the instruction stored in that address is copied from the main memory to a register
Decode:
-the instruction is then decoded by the Control Unit
Execute:
-the instruction is executed (could be reading/writing to or from the main memory, doing a calculation using ALU, changing the address in the CU

42
Q

What is one of the main features of Von Neumann architecture?

A

it only uses one memory for data and the instructions

43
Q

What is RAM, what is it used for, and what does it require?

A

-Random Access Memory
-is main memory: directly accessible by the CPU
-volatile: temporary memory

44
Q

What is ROM, what is it used for, and what does it require?

A
45
Q

What is Cache, what is it used for, and what does it require?

A
46
Q

What is a register, what is it used for, and what does it require?

A
47
Q

What is the difference between main memory and secondary storage?

A

main memory: any form of memory that can be directly accessed by the CPU
secondary storage: any non-volatile storage not directly accessible by the CPU

48
Q

What is the difference between RAM and ROM?

A
49
Q

What does volatile mean?

A

temporary storage: data is lost when the power is off

50
Q

What does non-volatile mean?

A

permanent storage: data is kept when power is off

51
Q

Why is secondary storage required?

A

-to store programs and data when a computer is not actively using it or is switched off
-to store it for a long period of time
-holds more data than main memory and is less expensive per MB

52
Q

What types of secondary storage are there?

A
53
Q

Explain the operation of solid state storage

A
54
Q

Explain the operation of optical storage

A
55
Q

Explain the operation of magnetic storage

A
56
Q

advantages and disadvantages of solid state storage

A
57
Q

advantages and disadvantages of optical storage

A
58
Q

advantages and disadvantages of magnetic storage

A
59
Q

explain cloud storage

A
60
Q

advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage compared to local storage

A
61
Q

what is an embedded system?

A
62
Q

what is the difference between an embedded system and a non-embedded system?

A
63
Q

what is an example of an embedded system?

A
64
Q

what is an example of a non-embedded system?

A

computer science (9 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions