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cs CPU architecture Flashcards

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1
Q

purpose of ALU

A

resposible for any arithmetic or logic processing that might be needed when a program is running

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2
Q

purpose of control unit

A
  • To control operation of fetch-execute cycle;
  • To send control signals/commands to other components of fetch-execute cycle;
  • To control the transfer of data between registers
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3
Q

The internal clock

A

controls the cycles inside the processor and its frequency is called clock speed

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4
Q

immediate access memory

A

Immediate Access Store holds all the data / instructions / programs currently in use

  • Immediate Access Store is volatile memory
  • Immediate Access Store has fast access times
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5
Q

system clock

A
  • synchronise operations
  • … by creating timing signals
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6
Q

program counter

A

Stores the address where the next instruction is to be read from

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7
Q

memory address register

A

Stores the address of the memory location currently being read from

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8
Q

memory data register

A

Holds the data/instruction which has been read from the address in the MAR.

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9
Q

current instruction register

A

Holds the instruction currently being decoded and/or executed

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10
Q

index register (IX)

A

Stores a value; only used for indexed addressing.

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11
Q

status register

A

Holds information about the current state of operations. It is used to set flags or to detect error conditions and to disable/enable interrupts.

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12
Q

fetch

A

The address of the next instruction to be executed, held in the PC, is copied to the MAR.

  • The instruction held at that address is placed in the MDR. then copied to CIR
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13
Q

decode, execute

A

The instruction is held in the CIR.

  • The control unit decoder decodes the instruction, the opcode identifies the type of instruction it is and the relevant part of processor executes the instruction.
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14
Q

what is the stored program concept

A

Instructions and data are stored in the same memory space / in main memory.

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15
Q

control bus

A

The control bus is bi-directional and carries control signals.

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16
Q

data bus

A

The data bus is bi-directional as data can be sent both ways along the bus

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17
Q

address bus

A

This bus carries the address of a memory location in one direction

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18
Q

how number of cores affect performnace

A

Each core processes one instruction per clock pulse

  • More/multiple cores mean that sequences of instructions can be split between them
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19
Q

how clock speed affects performance

A
  • determines the number of cycles the CPU can execute per second
  • increasing clock speed increases the number of operations/number of fetch-execute cycles that can be carried out per unit of time
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20
Q

how cache affects performance

A

cache memory is faster than main memory so the more that can be stored in cache memory the less frequently the main memory needs to be accessed

  • … the higher capacity the more frequently used instructions it can store for fast access
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21
Q

what are interrupts

A
  • A digital signal from some device/source seeking the attention of the processor
  • a signal from a device/program that it requires attention from the processor.
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22
Q

how interrupts are handled

A

Detection: At the start / end of each fetch-execute cycle the processor checks for interrupt(s)

  • Check if an interrupt flag is set // Check if bit set in interrupt register
  • Processor identifies source of interrupt
  • Processor checks priority of interrupt
  • If interrupt priority is high enough // Lower priority interrupts are disabled
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23
Q

def of file header

A

specifies the image size, number of colours, and other data needed to display an image

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24
Q

benefits of vector graphic

A

can be enlarged without loss of quality

generally a smaller file size

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25
Q

bitmap vs vector

A

bitmap is made out of pixels, vector store set of instructions

bitmap file is usually bigger

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26
Q

sampling resolution

A

number of bits used to store each sample

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27
Q

benefits of connecting to a LAN

A

allows sharing of files

allows sharing of resources

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28
Q

what is a client server model

A

at least one computer as the server,another as the client

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29
Q

benefits of client server model

A

files are centralised

centralised back up

centralised security

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30
Q

pros/cons of star topology

A

pros :signals only go to destination

centralised management

cons:
if central device fails whole network goes down

performance id dependant on central device

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31
Q

pros / cons of bus topology

A

pros:

easier to set up

less cable required
cons:
increased risk of collisions

weaker security

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32
Q

what is mesh topology

A

all computers are connected to at least one other device

multiple routes between devices

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33
Q

benefits of mesh topology

A

if on eline goes down there are other routes

improved security as not only using one line

fewer collisions

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34
Q

difference between fibre optic and copper cables

A

fibre optic data is transmitted by light, copper by electric signals

fibre optic has greater bandwidth

fibre has higher transmission rates

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35
Q

benefits of upgrading to fibre optic cable

A

less interference with the signal

more secure

greater bandwidth

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36
Q

wired vs wireless connection

A

wired : faster connection, more reliable, more secure

wireless:freedom of movement, less cabling

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37
Q

how a switch supports a LAN

A

allows connection between two or more devices

connects individual devices together

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38
Q

wireless access point supports LAN

A

allow communication of devices

allow wireless enabled devices to connect to a wired network

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39
Q

how a bridge supports a LAN

A

to connect 2 LANS

transmit data between 2 networks with the same protocol

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40
Q

function of router

A

receive packets from devices

find destination of packets using IP address

forward packets to destination

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41
Q

what is bit streaming

A

sequence of digital bits

over a communucation path

requires some buffering

tranfers data at high speed

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42
Q

how a 3d printer works

A

the CAD software splits objects into pieces

data is sent to the printer

the plastic is melted and transferred to the nozzle

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43
Q

how a laser printer works

A

revolving drum is given an initial charge

a laser beam scans across the drum

discharging certain points

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44
Q

explain the internal operation of a speaker

A

translates electrical signal into physical vibrations

an electric current in the coil creates an electro-magnetic field

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45
Q

describe the internal operation of optical disk

A

drive motor is used to spin the disk

tracking mechanism moves the laser assembly

a lens focuses the laser onto the disk

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46
Q

features of SSD

A

no moving parts

non-volatile

makes use of blocks/arrays

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47
Q

how a magnetic hard disk works

A

binary digits are represented by spots on disk

disk made up of platters

disk divided into tracks and sectors

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48
Q

resistive touchscreens

A

two layers with a gap

when a finger touches the screen the layers touch

and the contact point is calculated

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49
Q

capacitive touchscreens

A

made up of glass layers

the screen stores electrical energy

screen can be touched in multiple places at once

50
Q

infrared touchscreens

A

use a grid pattern of LEDs

when touched, the grid is interupted and the position is calculated by a microprossesor

51
Q

surface acoustic wave screens

A

made use of ultrasonic sound waves

the position of the touch is detected by a reduction in sound wave amplitude

52
Q

differences between SRAM and DRAM

A

DRAM has to be refreshed, SRAM does not

DRAM store each bit as a charge, SRAM each bit is stored using a flip flop

SRAM has faster access time

53
Q

how interupts are handled (long answer)

A

detected at start and end of each FDE cycle

check if interupt flag is set

processor checks source and priority of interrupt

disables lower priority interrupts

54
Q

def of interrupts

A

signal from a device seeking attention from the processor

55
Q

examples of hardware interrupts

A

user prssed key on keyboard

printer out of paper

56
Q

adv of library routines

A

code is already tested so it is more liekly to work

saves programming time

57
Q

what is meant by a dynamic link library(DDL)

A

collection of programs that are already compiled

linked to main program during execution

58
Q

benefits to programmer of creating a DDL

A

memory requirements for program is reduced

the executable file size will be smaller

59
Q

assembler

A

assembly language to machine code

converts mnemonic to binary equivalent

60
Q

compiler

A

attempts to translate whole source code

creates error report at end of translation

creates an executable file

61
Q

interpreter

A

interprets each line individually

translated one line at a time

execution is slower

debugging is easier

62
Q

features of a IDE

A

context sensitive prompts- suggests the code to add

single-stepping- run code one line at a time to check values

breakpoints- stops program at a specific point to check for errors in a specific part of the code

pretty print

report window

63
Q

anti virus software

A

scans for malicious software

deletes any malicious software found

prevents downloading of viruses

64
Q

phishing

A

the email pretends to be real

asking users to give private information

65
Q

pharming

A

malicious code that redirects to fake website

aim to obtain personal info

uses false representation of official organisation

uses fake websites

66
Q

explain how a digital signature is used to authenticate document

A

the sender uses a hash algorithm

to produce a message digest

sender encrypts the digest to create the digital signature

receiver decrypts signature to produce digest

receiver uses same hash algorithm to produce a regenerated message digest

compares the message digests

if same then it is authentic

67
Q

validation

A

checks whether data is reasonable

68
Q

verification

A

checks if data entered is same as original

69
Q

parity check

A

uses even or odd parity

each byte has a parity bit

parity bit is either 0 or 1

after transmission it is re checked

70
Q

checksum

A

a calc is carried out on the data to be sent

the result is sent

checksum is recalculated at receiver

if both are same no error has occured

71
Q

def of ethics

A

system of moral principles

that guide decision making

72
Q

limitations of a flat file database

A

data redundancy

data dependency

lack of data integrity

lack of data privacy

73
Q

why use relational database

A

reduces data redundancy because linked tables mean that each data item is stored only once

74
Q

1nf,2nf,3nf

A

1nf- no repeating groups of data

2nf- no partial key dependencies

3nf- no non-key dependencies

75
Q

what is meant by ethernet

A

a protocol for data transmission over a wired connection, data is transmitted in frames

76
Q

what is a data dictionary

A

metadata about a database

77
Q

what is a query processor

A

sotware that allows user to enter criteria, then finds appropriate result

78
Q

what is a developer interface

A

a software tool that allows the user to create items such as tables, and reports

79
Q

what is a logical schema

A

a model of a database that is not specific to one DBMS

80
Q

direct addressing

A

when the operand holds the memory address of the data

81
Q

indirect addressing

A

when the operand holds a memory address that stores the memory address of the data

82
Q

immediate addressing

A

when the operand is the data

83
Q

types of signal a control bus can transfer

A

read/write
interrupt

84
Q

how data is transmitted through a USB

A

a bit at a time

85
Q

process management by the OS

A

manages scheduling of processes

manages which resources the processes require, such as alocating memory

enables processes to share data

handles the process queue

86
Q

purpose of utility software

A

help user set up computer, by checking for faults

87
Q

define program library

A

pre-existing subroutines that can be used in coding by importing them into the main code

88
Q

difference between ROM,EPROM,EEPROM

A

EPROM needs to be removed from device, EEPROM can be erased without

EPROM can be erased using UV light, EEPROM can be erased using voltage

PROM cant be reprogrammed, others can

89
Q

key management tasks that the OS performs

A

file management
security management
process management
memory management

90
Q

logical right shift math

A

division

91
Q

how a hardware interrupt is handled
(Key press example)

A

a check is done at the start and end of every F-E cycle.

processor checks source and priority of the interrupt

system checks the interrupt register for higher priority interrupts

the appropriate ISR is called

the input data from the key press is processed

92
Q

transfer notation of F-E cycle

A

MAR <- [pc]
PC <- [PC] +1
MDR <- [[MAR]]
CIR <- [MDR]

93
Q

Why adding another core may not double the speed of the computer

A

Software may not support dual-core processing, so one core is left idle

memory access speed may not match speed of cores which causes delay

multiple cores introduce additional overheads because of the need of communication between devices

94
Q

sampling def

A

amplitude of soundwave taken at different points in time

95
Q

sampling rate def

A

the number of samples taken per unit of time

95
Q

Sampling resolution def

A

number of bits used to store each sample

96
Q

drawing list def

A

the list of shapes involved in the image

97
Q

property def

A

data about the shapes

98
Q

colour depth def

A

number of bits used to represent the colour of a single pixel

99
Q

how sound is represented on a computer

A

the amplitude is recorded a set number of times per second
each amplitude is given a corresponding binary number

100
Q

how sampling is used to record sound clips

A

the amplitude of the wave is determined
at set intervals
to get an approximation of the sound wave

101
Q

what is cloud computing

A

accessing a service on a remote server

102
Q

what is a privatecloud

A

computing services offered either over the internet or a private internal network
only available to select users not the public

103
Q

what is public cloud

A

computing services offered by third party provider over the internet

is available to anyone

104
Q

adv and disadv of cloud computing

A

adv- can be free (for small quantities), security could be better, data can be easily shared

disadv- can only access via internet connection, no control over security, no control over backups

105
Q

description of a WNIC

A

hardware component that allows a device to connect to a wireless network

106
Q

repeater description

A

restores the digital signature so it can be transmitted over greater distances

107
Q

internal operation of a microphone

A

microphone has a ribbon
incoming sound waves cause vibrations of the ribbon
causing a coil to move past a magnet
producing an electrical signal

108
Q

describe role of an actuator

A

generates a signal that converts electrical energy into an mechanical force

109
Q

what happens on first pass

A

read the assembly language program one line at a time
ignore anything not required
data items are converted into binary equivalent

110
Q

second pass

A

read assembly language one line at a time
forward references are resolved
any symbolic address is replaced by absolute address

111
Q

how OS manages peripherals

A

installs device drivers
to allow communication between peripherals and computer
sends and receives data to and from peripherals

112
Q

defraggmentation software

A

makes files occupy contiguous blocks, improves disk access time

113
Q

disk analysis/repair software-

A

scans a hard disk to identify bad sectors

114
Q

disk formatter

A

prepares a hard disk for first use

115
Q

commercial software licsense

A

user has to pay for the product so the programmer can gain an income

enables product to be copyrighted

116
Q

shareware licsense

A

enables program to be copyrighted
user cannot legally edit the program so the developer retains control of product

117
Q

file management

A

creates files and folders

renames files and folders

118
Q

memory management tasks

A

allocates RAM to blocks
keeps track of allocated locations
handles virtual memory
paging

119
Q

security management

A

set up users accounts

checks usernames, passwords

implements access rights

120
Q
A

computer science (2 decks)

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