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Computer Science > GCSE - Computer Systems > Flashcards

GCSE - Computer Systems Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the function of the CPU?

A

The CPU retrives and executes instructions.

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2
Q

What is the function of the Control Unit?

A

The component of the CPU that manages instructions.

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3
Q

What are buses?

A

The wires through which data travels from one part of a computer to another on the motherboard.

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4
Q

What are registers?

A

Registers are small amounts of memory on the CPU which store data for the CPU.

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5
Q

What is the FDE cycle?

A

The Fetch Execute Decode cycle is when the processer fetches data from memory, decodes it for an instruction and then executes that instruction.

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6
Q

Name and explain what all the busses do.

A

Data Bus - Data fetched from memory is sent across this bus to the CPU.
Address Bus - The memory address which data has to be sent from is sent to memory across this bus.
Control Bus - This carries control signals from the processor to other components.

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7
Q

Name and Eplain what all of the Registers do.

A

Memory Address Register - This stores the memory address which needs to be read from.
Memory Data Register - This stores data which was just fetched from memory or which is to sent to memory.
Program Counter - This stores the memory address of the instruction to be executed next.
Accumulator - the accumulator is a register in which intermediate arithmetic logic unit results are stored.
CIR - This holds the instruction which is currently being decoded or executed.

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8
Q

Define the term ‘algorithm’.

A

A sequence of logical instructions for carrying out a task. In computing, algorithms are needed to design computer programs.

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9
Q

Define the term ‘API’.

A

Application programming interface - a software library interface used to share data between software and, in particular, web applications.

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10
Q

Define the term ‘application’.

A

A software program that allows a user to perform a specific task.

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11
Q

Define the term ‘application software’.

A

A software program that allows a user to perform a specific task.

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12
Q

What is an ALU?

A

A component of the CPU that performs arithmetic and logic calculations.

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13
Q

What is a backup?

A

A copy of important files that is kept separately in case the original files are lost or damaged.

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14
Q

What is binary?

A

A number system that contains two symbols, 0 and 1. Also known as base 2.

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15
Q

What is a bug?

A

An error in a program.

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16
Q

What is cache?

A

A piece of temporary memory. It can refer to a part of the RAM, storage disk, CPU, or an area for storing web pages.

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17
Q

What is a clock?

A

A component of the CPU that sends out regular pulses. Its job is to synchronise the computer’s hardware components.

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18
Q

What is clock speed?

A

The speed of a computer’s CPU, measured in hertz. This indicates the number of fetch-decode-execute cycles that can run per second.

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19
Q

Define the term ‘cloud’.

A

A term often used to describe a location on the internet from which software applications are run and where data is stored.

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20
Q

What is compression?

A

A method of reducing file sizes, particularly in digital media such as photos, audio and video.

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21
Q

Define ‘continuous’.

A

Running together in sequence, one after another.

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22
Q

What is a ‘core’ ?

A

A processing unit within a CPU. CPUs can have multiple cores.

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23
Q

What is data?

A

Units of information. In computing there can be different data types, including integers, characters and Boolean. Data is often acted on by instructions.

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24
Q

Define ‘decode’.

A

Interpret an instruction.

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25
Q

What is defragmentation?

A

The process of reordering files stored on a hard disk so that their segments run contiguously.

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26
Q

What is a device driver?

A

Software that controls and communicates with peripherals

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27
Q

What is an embedded system?

A

A special purpose computer built into another device.

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28
Q

What is encryption?

A

Files that are encrypted have been altered using a secret code and are unreadable to unauthorised parties.

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29
Q

Define ‘execute’.

A

To Carry out an instruction.

30
Q

Define ‘fetch’.

A

Retrieve data from memory.

31
Q

What is a file?

A

Anything you save. It could be a document, a piece of music, a collection of data or something else.

32
Q

What is a general purpose computer?

A

A computer designed to be able to carry out a wide range of instructions.

33
Q

Who are hackers?

A

People who try to gain unauthorised access to a computer.

34
Q

What is hard disk drive?

A

A device used to store large amounts of data.

35
Q

What is hardware?

A

The physical parts of a computer system, eg a graphics card, hard disk drive or CD drive.

36
Q

Define ‘hertz’.

A

The unit of frequency, symbol ‘Hz’. 1 Hz is 1 wave or cycle per second.

37
Q

What is an input?

A

Data which is inserted into a system for processing and/or storage.

38
Q

What is an instruction?

A

A single action that can be performed by a computer processor.

39
Q

What is memory?

A

The part of a computer that stores data.

40
Q

What is a monitor?

A

A screen that displays output from a computer.

41
Q

What is multitasking?

A

In computing, running more than one program simultaneously.

42
Q

Define ‘output’.

A

Data which is sent out of a system.

43
Q

What is a page?

A

In computing, a small portion of memory.

44
Q

What is paging?

A

A method of memory management where memory is divided into pages.

45
Q

What is a peripheral?

A

A piece of hardware that connects to a computer, eg a mouse, keyboard, printer or scanner.

46
Q

What is a program?

A

Sequences of instructions for a computer.

47
Q

What is secondary storage?

A

Non-volatile memory external to the CPU and used for long-term storage of programs and data.

48
Q

What is software?

A

The programs, applications and data in a computer system. Any parts of a computer system that aren’t physical.

49
Q

What is streaming?

A

Data that is sent in pieces. Each piece is viewed as it arrives, eg a streaming video is watched as it downloads.

50
Q

What is systems software?

A

Software used to control the computer and run applications.

51
Q

What is a user interface?

A

The means by which a user interacts with a computer or device.

52
Q

What is the Von Neumann Architecture?

A

A description of the processing architecture that all CPUs use. John von Neumann invented the processor architecture which stores a program in memory as instructions and executes them sequentially using the ALU, control unit and registers. This is known as the stored program concept.

53
Q

What is a word processor?

A

An application used to write, edit and format text.

54
Q

What is ment by ‘volatile memory’?

A

Volatile means that all data stored in memory will be lost as soon as power is lost to memory.

55
Q

What is met by ‘non-volatile memory’?

A

Non-Volatile means that data will not will be lost at power loss.

56
Q

What is virtual memory?

A

Virtual memory is where a portion of the hard disk is used as RAM when RAM is full.

57
Q

What is POST?

A

Power On Self Test is performed when the computer boots up and it checks if all components are present and working.

58
Q

Where is POST kept?

A

In ROM.

59
Q

Is ROM volatile?

A

No.

60
Q

What are the types of secondary storage?

A

Magnetic Storage
Optical Storage
Solid State Storage
Flash Storage

61
Q

How does magnetic storage work?

A

The HDD consists of some platters (the amount depends on the capacity of the disk) these platers spin at very high speeds (7,500 to 10,000+ RPM). A magnetic r/w head moves over a designated are of the disk where the data will be stored; this is called a sector and then the r/w head polarises that tiny area of the platter, North is 1 and South is 0. To read the data the r/w head moves to the same area and checks the polarisation of the tiny area and retunes 1 or 0 across the data bus.

62
Q

How does solid state storage operate?

A

Solid state uses transistors to store data. A transistor can be on or off when power is supplied but SSDs keep data when power is shut of and this is because they use gates to trap the flow of electrons and they remain there regardless if power is supplied or not.

63
Q

What are the logic gates?

A

AND
OR
XOR
NAND

64
Q

What are the boolean expresions for the logic gates?

A

AND «««< p = a AND b
OR «««&laquo_space;p = a OR b
NOT «««< p = NOT a

65
Q

What are the pros of cloud storage?

A
  • This allows the user to purchase more capacity when they need it
  • You can have very large capacities of cloud storage.
  • You can share files on multiple devices just by logining on
  • Collaboration is very easy
66
Q

What are the cons of cloud storage?

A
  • It can be very slow depending on your network speed
  • It can be not safe as your account details can get stolen or hacked
  • It requires a network connection.
67
Q

What are the pros of SSDs?

A
  • Very Fast
  • Durable
  • Reliable
  • Low Energy Consumption
  • Decent Capacity
  • Portable
68
Q

What are the cons of SSDs?

A

They are very expensive.

69
Q

What are the pros of HDDs?

A
  • They are cheap
  • Come in large capacities
  • Reliable
70
Q

What are the cons of HDDs?

A
  • The are not very durable.

- They are not very fast.

71
Q

How does optical storage work?

A

Optical devices use a laser to scan the surface of a spinning disc made from metal and plastic. The disc surface is divided into tracks, with each track containing many flat areas and hollows. The flat areas are known as lands and the hollows as pits.
When the laser shines on the disc surface, lands reflect the light back, whereas pits scatter the laser beam. A sensor looks for the reflected light. Reflected light (lands) represents a binary ‘1’, and no reflection (pits) represents a binary ‘0’.

72
Q

Name all of the parts of the CPU.

A
  • Control Unit
  • Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
  • Buses
  • Registers
  • Clock

Computer Science (3 decks)

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