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Information Technology > CPU_Memory_Flashcards > Flashcards

CPU_Memory_Flashcards

1
Q

What are the main components of the CPU?

A

The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and the Control Unit (CU).

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2
Q

What is the function of the ALU?

A

Performs calculations and comparisons.

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3
Q

What role does the Control Unit (CU) play in the CPU?

A

Runs program instructions, performs fetch/execute cycle, and manages data transfer to/from registers and other components.

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4
Q

What is the purpose of CPU registers?

A

Small storage locations within the CPU for storing data, addresses, or instructions temporarily.

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5
Q

What are general-purpose registers used for?

A

Holds intermediate results or data values, such as loop counters.

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6
Q

What is the Program Counter (PC) register?

A

A special-purpose register that stores the address of the next instruction to execute.

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7
Q

What is stored in the Instruction Register (IR)?

A

The instruction currently being executed by the CPU.

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8
Q

What is the Memory Address Register (MAR)?

A

Holds the address in memory where data will be read or written.

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9
Q

What is the function of the Memory Data Register (MDR)?

A

Temporarily holds data that is being transferred to or from memory.

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10
Q

How does the fetch-execute cycle work?

A

The CPU fetches an instruction, decodes it, and then executes the operation.

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11
Q

What happens during the ‘fetch’ stage of the cycle?

A

The instruction is loaded from memory into the IR and prepared for execution.

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12
Q

What occurs in the ‘execute’ stage?

A

The CPU performs the operation specified by the instruction.

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13
Q

What is Random Access Memory (RAM)?

A

Volatile memory used for temporarily storing data and program instructions for CPU access.

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14
Q

What are DRAM and SRAM?

A

Types of RAM; DRAM is cheaper and slower, SRAM is faster and used for cache memory.

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15
Q

What is nonvolatile memory?

A

Memory that retains data when power is turned off, e.g., ROM and flash memory.

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16
Q

What is the function of Read-Only Memory (ROM)?

A

Stores firmware or BIOS software that doesn’t change over the system’s life.

17
Q

What is flash memory?

A

A nonvolatile memory used for secondary storage in portable devices.

18
Q

How is memory addressing limited?

A

By the number of bits in the MAR; for example, 8 bits allow for 256 unique addresses.

19
Q

What is the primary role of the MAR?

A

To specify the memory location for data access or storage.

20
Q

What does the MDR do in a store operation?

A

Holds data that will be written to the memory address specified by MAR.

21
Q

What is the purpose of the accumulator in the CPU?

A

To store intermediate arithmetic and logic operation results.

22
Q

What are ‘bit manipulation instructions’?

A

Operations that alter specific bits within a register, often used for flag conditions.

23
Q

What is a stack?

A

A memory structure that operates on a Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) principle.

24
Q

What is a ‘stack instruction’?

A

An instruction used to add or remove data from the stack.

25
Q

What is the function of the Program Counter?

A

Stores the address of the next instruction for the CPU to execute.

26
Q

What are SIMD instructions?

A

Single Instruction, Multiple Data - perform the same operation on multiple data points.

27
Q

What is instruction pipelining?

A

A technique that allows overlapping execution of multiple instructions to improve performance.

28
Q

What are Boolean Logic instructions?

A

Operations like AND, OR, XOR, and NOT used in logic operations.

29
Q

What are shift and rotate instructions?

A

Operations that move bits in a register left or right to adjust data alignment or storage.

30
Q

Describe a direct addressing mode.

A

The instruction specifies the actual memory address where data is stored.

31
Q

What is an operand?

A

The data on which an operation is performed; could be in memory or a register.

32
Q

What is the purpose of instruction formats?

A

Defines how instructions are laid out, including opcode length and operand specification.

33
Q

What differentiates CPU architectures?

A

Instruction set design, data types, word size, register use, and addressing modes.

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