computer systems exam questions Flashcards
State two advantages of using cloud storage instead of local storage
- enables user to access their data from more places/devices;
- enables user to more easily share data with others (can make parts of their
cloud storage publicly available) // To allow sharing of files;
State two reasons why computers have more RAM than cache memory.
- RAM is cheaper (per byte);
- Typically, the capacity of cache memory is not enough to store both data and
programs
Many new computers use solid-state storage for secondary storage rather than
magnetic storage.
Explain why solid-state storage is not fitted to every new computer
SSDs are (relatively) expensive // have higher cost per (giga)byte;
SSDs (typically) have lower capacity (than magnetic hard drives);
what is the ASCII/ unicode value for “a”?
97
what is the ASCII/ unicode value for “z”?
122
what is the ASCII/ unicode value for “A”?
65
what is the ASCII/ unicode value for “Z”?
90
what is sample resolution
the number of bits per sample
State two issues with only using usernames and passwords in an authentication
system.
- (weak) passwords are easily cracked
- it is difficult to verify the actual identity of the person logging in
Describe one security measure that could be used, in addition to a password, to
make sure that a user is who they are claiming to be.
Biometrics;
(to be authenticated) reference data is compared to the individual’s (unique)
biometric data;
State two reasons why data are compressed
- to reduce file size
to make it faster to transmit
Describe the role of the clock in the CPU
Regulates the timing and speed of the operations and send out a regular electronic pulse
Describe the roles of the control unit in the CPU
coordinates the actions of the CPU, decodes instructions, sends control signals
Describe the role of the register in the CPU
holds the data used when the executing an instruction
Define software
Programs executed by the hardware
Define system software
Controls or manages the computer
Define application software
Used for end user tasks
Explain the role of main memory in the execute stage of the fetch execute cycle
Data required by the instruction may be fetched from the main memory, result of instruction may be stored in the main memory
Describe fetch stage
The next instruction is fetched from the memory to the CPU
Describe the decode stage
the instruction is decoded
State one advantage of writing programs in assembly language instead of high level language
Programs written in assembly language interact directly with the hardware
How does a program translate? (1)
A compiler translate all the original program code before execution
