end of year revision Flashcards
What does the fetch decode execute cycle do?
- An instruction is fetched from memory
- The instruction is then decoded
- The decoded instruction is then executed so that the CPU performs continuously
- Process is repeated
when does fetch decode execute cycle happen
from boot up until the computer shuts down in order to process instruction
MAR
holds the address of the current instruction that is to be fetched from memory
MDR
holds the contents found at the address held in the MAR
PC
holds the memory address of the next instruction to be fetched from primary storage.
ACC
An accumulator is a type of register for short-term, intermediate storage of arithmetic and logic data in a computer’s CPU
CU
control unit controls the flow of data in a system
Register
One of a small set of data holding places that are part of the computer processor, It is quickly accessible location for the cpu.
Cache
a small and fast memory storage in a computer’s central processing unit (CPU), used to temporarily store frequently accessed data to improve overall system performance.
Clock speed
frequency of the number of fetch decode execute cycle per minute
Difference between storing data and an address
Data is the term used to describe information, and address is the term used to describe the location of an item of information.
Why does having higher clock speed increase the speed of the computer
More fetch decode execute cycles will be completed per minute.
Examples of volatile and non-volatile memory storage:
Volatile: Cache Memory, RAM
Non-Volatile: HDD, SSD, tape drives
why does computer have primary storage?
Primary storage provides fast access to the CPU. That allows active programs to deliver optimal performance to the end-user.
How are characters represented in binary form?
The ASCII code takes each character on the keyboard and assigns it a binary number
