Computer Systems Flashcards
What is a computer?
Any machine or device programmed with a set of instructions
List some input devices
Mouse, keyboard camera
List some output devices
Printer, speaker, monitor
What are the 3 types of computer system?
Dedicated, embedded and general purpose
What is an embedded computer system? Give an example of one
A system which is part of a larger system, like a washing machine controller
What is a dedicated system? Give an example of one
A system dedicated to doing 1 task, like a computer controlling a robotic arm
What is a general purpose system? Give an example of one
Used for many purposes, like playing music and games, email etc. Used in smartphones
What is the motherboard?
The central printed circuit board (PCB) that holds the crucial components of the system.
What is the GPU?
Graphical Processing Unit, renders images, videos etc
What is RAM?
Random Access Memory,
What is the Hard Drive?
A disk used to read and write a hard disk in long term memory
What is the Northbridge?
A fast chip that allows the CPU to communicate with RAM and the graphics card.
What does the Southbridge do?
Communicates with input/output devices, the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and storage devices.
What is the MAR?
Memory Address Register- stores memory addresses to get or send data
What is the MBR?
Memory Buffer Register- contains data to be stored RAM, then handed to CIR
What is the CIR?
Current Instruction Register- holds instructions that is about to be executed
What is the Main Memory?
AKA RAM, refers to physical memory inside computer,
What is the Address Bus?
Computer bus used to specify physical address
What is the Address Bus?
Computer bus used to specify physical address
What is the Data Bus?
System within a computer consisting of connector that provides data transportation
What is the accumulator?
Register where arithmetic and logic results are stored
What is the Program Counter?
Holds address of next instruction to be executed
What is the ALU?
Arithmetic Logic Unit- performs arithmetic (Add or subtract) and logic (AND, OR)
What are the 2 types of algorithm?
Pseudocode and Flow charts
