Computer Systems (Computer Structure) Flashcards
What does CPU stand for?
Central Processing Unit
What does a CPU do?
Fetch, Decode and Execute Information from the RAM
Perform Arithmetic Calculation
Perform Logical Operations
Control Read, Write, Clock, Interrupt and Reset Lines
What are the three components of a CPU?
ALU
Registers
Control Unit
What does ALU stand for?
Arithmetic Logic Unit
What does the ALU do in the CPU?
Performs all Calculations
Performs Comparisons on Numeric Values
Makes Decisions Based on Logic (AND, OR, NOT)
What do the Registers do in the CPU?
Temporary Storage Locations within the Processor
Stores Addresses, Data or Instructions
What does the Control Unit do in the CPU?
Control Read, Write, Clock, Interrupt and Reset Lines
What does the Clock Speed tell us about the CPU?
The Clock Speed is a measure of how quickly a CPU can handle and complete tasks. It is measured in Hertz (Hz)
What does RAM stand for?
Random Access Memory
What is the RAM?
The RAM is a temporary storage location for data until it is needed by the CPU
What happens to RAM when a program is closed?
Data held in RAM is deleted
What are the names of the two buses?
Data Bus
Address Bus
What does the Address Bus do?
The Address Bus holds the address in RAM that the processor is accessing. It only goes from the CPU to the RAM
What does the Data Bus do?
The data bus carries data between the processor and the memory. It goes in both directions, to the CPU and from the CPU
What are the two types of translator?
Compiler
Interpreter
