Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Computer Science > Module 1 CAPE Computer Science > Flashcards

Module 1 CAPE Computer Science Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

What are the main components of the CPU?

A

The main components of the CPU are:
1. The ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)
2. The CU (Control Unit)
3. The Register

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the purpose/function of the CU (Control Unit)?

A

The Control Unit:

1.Processes input instructions and data given to the computer.

2.Coordinates and controls all the activities of the computer.

  1. Fetches instructions and data from the Memory (RAM).
  2. Executes and performs instructions and data given to the computer.
  3. Decodes data and information that is received.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the function of the ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)?

A

The ALU performs all the arithmetic calculations (Arithmetic Unit) and logic operations (Logic Unit) of the computer. The ALU does all the computation and processing of the computer.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the function of the register?

A

The register is a high speed storage location which temporarily holds the next data or instructions needed for processing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is an instruction set?

A

An instruction set is the collection of all possible machine code instructions that a microprocessor can execute/understand.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is instruction size?

A

Instruction size is the amount of instructions a microprocessor can hold.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is instruction format?

A

The instruction format is the composition of an instruction. i.e. What the instruction is made up of.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the two types of instruction format?

A

Fixed Length Instruction Format and Variable Length Instruction Format.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is Cache memory?

A

Cache memory is a high speed storage location where the most frequently used or the data most likely to be requested by the CPU is stored.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the benefit of cache memory?

A

Cache memory gives the CPU faster access to data and instructions than RAM can. Since the CPU operates at a much faster rate than RAM can supply data and instructions, cache reads and writes to RAM in its spare time so that the CPU can quickly access data and instructions (the allows the CPU to run at full speed at all times.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is a CPU clock?

A

A CPU clock is a circuit in the CPU that controls the rate at which the CPU makes calculations.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a clock cycle?

A

A clock cycle is the amount of time between two pulses of the oscillator.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is a clock cycle?

A

A clock cycle is the amount of time between two pulses of the oscillator.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is clock speed?

A

Clock speed is the number of clock cycles per second. The speed at which the CPU processes instruction.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the unit of measurement for clock speed?

A

The unit of measurement for clock speed is hertz (Hz).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is a flip flop?

A

A flip flop is an electronic circuit that has two stable states and can be used as one bit memory.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is a flip flop?

A

A flip flop is an electronic circuit that has two stable states and is capable of serving as one bit memory
.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is a register?

A

A register is a high speed memory location within a microprocessor that temporarily stores data/instructions and information.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the different types of registers?

A

Accumulators
Instruction Registers
Memory Address Registers (MAR)
Memory Data Registers(MDR)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What are the different types of registers?

A

Accumulators
Instruction Registers
Memory Address Registers (MAR)
Memory Data Registers(MDR)

21
Q

What are the functions of the different types of registers?

A

1) Accumulators - Store previously calculated values OR values loaded from the main memory.

2) Instructions Registers - Stores instruction that is currently being decoded or executed.

3) Memory Address Registers (MAR) - Stores the memory address for data to be fetched for processing OR stores the memory address for the results of the processing.

4) Memory Data Address - Stores data to be fetched for processing OR stores data that is the result of the processing.

22
Q

What is a counter?

A

A counter is an electronic circuit that can count in a predetermined direction either up or down. The counter also stores the memory address of the next instruction to be executed.

23
Q

What is an encoder?

A

An encoder is a combinational circuit which changes multiple inputs (2^n inputs) to binary code (n outputs).

24
Q

What is a decoder?

A

A decoder is a combinational circuit which changes binary code to a set of output signals.

25
Q

What is an input device?

A

An input device is a piece of hardware that sends data to the computer.

26
Q

What is an output device?

A

An output device is a piece of hardware that displays (outputs) data from the computer.

27
Q

What is an input/output device?

A

An input/output device is a piece of hardware that both sends data to the computer and displays(outputs) data from the computer.

28
Q

Define Port Connectivity.

A

Port connectivity refers to a location on a computer which is used to pass data in and out of the system. Port connectivity also refers to an interface on a computer to which a device can be connected.

29
Q

What is speed (in terms of input/output devices)?

A

Speed refers to the rate of transmission between the CPU and input/output devices.

30
Q

Define quality of output. Give an example.

A

Quality of output refers to how well certain aspects of output meet the requirements or standards of a certain time period.

For example the standards for the resolution of a computer ten years ago will not be the same as the standards/requirements today.

31
Q

What are specialized devices (as it relates to input and output devices)? Give an example.

A

Specialized devices are input or output devices with additional features that do not pertain to their main function. For example a printer that can fax/scan.

32
Q

Define ROM.

A

ROM is memory which stores data and instructions that do not change when the electricity is turned off from the computer. ROM stores the instructions necessary to start up the computer; these instructions can only be read from and not written to.

33
Q

State the two categories of ROM.

A

EPROM - Erasable Programable Read Only Memory
EEPROM - Electronically Erasable Programable Memory

34
Q

What is EPROM?

A

EPROM is Read Only Memory that can be erased by exposing it to ultraviolet light and can only be reprogrammed by removing it from the computer.

35
Q

What is EEPROM?

A

EEPROM is Read Only Memory that can be erased using electronic pulses without removing it from the computer.

36
Q

Define RAM.

A

RAM is the primary memory used by the CPU when processing information. RAM can be both written to and read from.

37
Q

Characteristics of RAM.

A
  1. RAM stores data that is waiting to be processed, processed data, and programs that are currently running.
  2. The content of RAM can be changed (i.e. RAM can be written to, erased, and new content written to it.
  3. When there in no flow of electricity to the computer/ electricity is cut from the computer, RAM is erased.
38
Q

What are the four memory features?

A
  1. Speed - Refers to how fast data can be accessed/retrieved from memory.
  2. Size - Refers to how many bits of data a memory device is capable of storing.
  3. Word Size - The number of bits the CPU can process in one instruction cycle.
  4. Volatility - Refers to loss of data when there is no flow of electricity (i.e. power is cut).
39
Q

What are storage devices?

A

Storage devices are pieces of hardware used to retain, deposit or retrieve computer data.

40
Q

The different features of storage devices are:

A

Storage Capacity: Theis refers to the amount of data a device can store.

Access Speed - Refers to how quickly a drive on the computer can locate and access a piece of data on the storage device.

Access Method - The mean or manner is which data is accessed from the storage device.

Portability - Refers to the ability of the storage device to be transported from one computer to another.

41
Q

What are security devices?

A

Security devices are hardware components set up to protect the computer system, the data stored on the computer and even the user of the computer.

42
Q

What are the different security devices?

A

Surge Protector - Protects multiple connected devices from power surges and spikes.

Voltage Regulator - Maintains a constant voltage level in an electrical circuit and prevents the voltage from going above or below stipulated voltage level.

Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) - Protects loss of data by converting the power of the computer while there is current and storing it in a battery which is used to power the computer system in the event of a power outage.

43
Q

Supercomputer

A

Computers that utilize the best technology to preform calculations in the least possible amount of time and solve extremely complex problems. Super computers devote all their resources to solving a single problem at a time.

Uses
Weather Forecasting
Designing Aircrafts and spacecrafts
Nuclear Weapons Testing

44
Q

Mainframe

A

Computers which are very powerful, support hundreds of user terminals(simultaneously), store large amounts of data, and processes millions of instructions per second.

Uses
Coordinates and manages airline data
Coordinates and manages bank data
Supports information systems

45
Q

Mainframe

A

Computers which are very powerful, support hundreds of user terminals(simultaneously), store large amounts of data, and processes millions of instructions per second.

Uses
Coordinates and manages airline data
Coordinates and manages bank data
Supports information systems

46
Q

Microcomputer

A

Designed for general use by a single individual, and equipped with single micro processor to perform day to day (simple) tasks.

Uses
Watching Movies
Surfing the Internet
Playing games

47
Q

Microcomputer

A

Designed for general use by a single individual, and equipped with single micro processor to perform day to day (simple) tasks.

Uses
Watching Movies
Surfing the Internet
Playing games

48
Q

Laptop

A

Small, lightweight PCs that can be as powerful or even more powerful than regular PCs but have the advantage of portability.

Uses
Watching Movies
Surfing the Internet
Playing games

49
Q

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)

A

Small handheld devices /computers designed to organize users personal information.

Uses
Taking notes
Scheduling appointments
Sending emails

Computer Science (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions