CS401A's Prelims: Comp. Sys. Architect. Module 01 Flashcards
For preliminary exams.
is a device that can compute for desired info through entering info.
A computer
on the other hand, can be defined as many elements working as one.
A system,
It is a working procedure or methods to which a process is formed.
system
therefore, is a system that comprises elements that process raw data and instruction.
A computer system,
It is a fundamental representation of facts and observations.
Data
It is processed by a computer system to provide information, which is the very reason for the computer’s existence.
Data
It can also take on a number of different forms: numbers, text, images, and sounds.
Data
It consists of system and application programs that define the instructions executed by the hardware.
Software
that acts as an interface for application programs and utilities to access the internal services provided by the operating system.
application programming interface (API)
that contains the most important operating system processing functions.
kernel
This includes devices that process data by executing instructions, storing data, and moving data and information between various Input/Output (I/O) devices, making the system and info accessible to users.
Hardware
It is where the computer processes all data and instructions (or commands that a computer must do).
Microprocessor
It is mostly used as a temporary storage for processed data and running applications.
Primary Storage
Some of the examples are random access memory (RAM) and cache memory.
Primary Storage
It is used to store files, applications, and operating system.
Secondary Storage
It is a type of a non-volatile storage media that stores data on spinning magnetic disks rotating at a high-speed.
HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
It is a type of a non-volatile storage media that stores data in a single flash memory.
Flash Drive
It is known for its portability.
Flash Drive
It is a type of a non-volatile storage media that stores data on a series of solid-state flash memory.
SSD (Solid State Drive)
It is known for its amazingly fast reading and writing data
SSD (Solid State Drive)
It is one of the primary input devices composed of buttons with alphanumeric characters.
Keyboard
It is a handheld input device that is capable of controlling and maneuvering graphical user interface (GUI) with the use of a cursor on display.
Mouse
It is capable of displaying the GUI of a computer.
Monitor
It is capable of representing data on paper.
Printer
It consists of hardware and software that transport programs and data between interconnected computer systems.
Communication
provides the connection between computers.
A communication channel
are copper, fiber-optic, and wireless (infrared [IR], radio frequency [RF], Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth).
Communication
Some of the data media channels
is the design of computer components in hardware being used, in the flow of data input-process-storage-output within the system, in algorithms being implemented, and more.
ARCHITECTURE
Architecture in computer systems
The design can be distinguished into two (2):
by form and by function.
Design by form
Design by function
refers to the structure and size of a system. From the structure of the system, computer systems can be classified by form to distinguish form factor.
Design by form
are usually small, low cost, and intended for one (1) user or one (1) device. These are used for a large variety of applications,
Microcomputers
These are used for a large variety of applications,
from network access to business, educational, and entertainment applicactions and even games.
(e.g., PC, PDA, gadget, and console)
Microcomputers
are generally used in a multiuser environment. These servers act as a platform for a specific application,
Minicomputers
These servers act as a platform for a specific application,
such as a print server that manages all printers and handles all print tasks or a mail server that manages all the organization’s mail.
(e.g., single rack server [print, Web, file])
Minicomputers
are large organizational computer systems that act as the main computational infrastructure.
Mainframes
These are usually very powerful and support many concurrent users.
Mainframes
These systems host an organization’s databases and provide applications to support all business processes.
(e.g., server farms [dsata centers])
Mainframes
pertains to the specific instruction or process that a computer system must have to meet criteria and application.
Design by function
These are the simplest functions of a computer:
Input/Output
Basic arithmetic and logical calculations
Data transformation or translation
Data sorting
Searching for data matches
Data storage and retrieval
Data movement
pertains to the placing of data in or out of the computer system.
Input/Output
pertains to mathematic calculations and comparison.
Basic arithmetic and logical calculations
pertains to the data that changes from one form to another due to instruction or need.
Data transformation or translation
pertains to arrangements of data by a list or specific criterion or criteria.
Data sorting
pertains to the comparison of data to suffice condition.
Searching for data matches
pertains to getting and/or placing data in a non-volatile storage.
Data storage and retrieval
pertains to the placement of data from one memory location to the other.
Data movement
Can be included as a design by function due to the rapid influx of technology in today’s standards.
Moore’s Law
This law represents designing for rapid change of hardware from the semiconductor industry perspective.
Moore’s Law
It also states that integrated circuit resources double every 18-24 months.
Moore’s Law
This law relies on the “Transistor count” as a basis for the advancement of integrated circuit.
Moore’s Law
As technology arises, computers become more advance to the point of designing complex computer systems for a specific purpose.
architecture complexity
Through the complexity of computer architecture, the design and understanding of computer systems become harder.
architecture complexity
It is used to characterize a certain object at different levels of representation offering models.
Abstraction
It is a structure that has a predetermined ordering from high to low.
computer hierarchy
It refers to systems that are organized in the shape of a pyramid.
computer hierarchy
It is a process of splitting the system in smaller chunks.
decomposition
People can work better by working on smaller separate tasks.
decomposition
Work on each chunk in different times (prioritizing important chunks)
decomposition
Give each chunk to a different person/team (work can be done in parallel).
decomposition
