Hardware And Software Topic3

Question 1

Machine code

Answer 1

A computer programming language consisting of binary or hexadecimal instructions which a computer can respond to directly
A typical instruction holds an operation code

Question 2

An instruction set

Answer 2

All the instructions that a computer can understand and execute
Each instruction is held in 8 bits, with 4 bits for the opcode and 4 bits for the operand, the Computer can execute 16 different instructions.

Question 3

assembly language advantages and disadvantages

Answer 3

Adv:
It is much easier to write,understand and debug programs in Assembly language
Disad:
The assembly code has to be translated into machine code by an assembler

Question 4

Advantages of high-level vs low-level languages

Answer 4

Much easier and faster to write, debug and maintain programs
Different high-level languages have been written specifically for different types of problem
High level language programs are portable - a program written for one type of computer can be recompiled for a different type of computer

Question 5

Disadvantages of high level vs low-level languages

Answer 5

The object code may run slower than assembly code or machine code
The object code may occupy more space in RAM- which can be a problem in embedded systems with a small amount of memory
Most high-level languages do not have statements to allow the programmer to manipulate individual bits - essential n some applications