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WJEC A level Computer Science > Topic 1: Hardware and Communication > Flashcards

Topic 1: Hardware and Communication Flashcards

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1
Q

What is architecture referred to as in CS?

A

It refers to the components that exists within a computer and how they are interconnected.

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2
Q

What is one architecture?

A

Von Neumann architectures

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3
Q

Give 3 components which is below the CPU.

A
  1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
  2. Register
  3. Control Unit
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4
Q

Give 4 examples of input.

A
  1. Mouse
  2. Keyboards
  3. Microphones
  4. Digital cameras
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5
Q

What is input?

A

It is any device that introduces data into a computer system from outside it.

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6
Q

Give 3 examples of output devices.

A
  1. Printers
  2. Visual displays
  3. Speakers
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7
Q

What is an output?

A

They communicate data beyond the computer system, typically (but not always) to a human user.

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8
Q

Give the function of memory.

A

Both instructions and data are stored in memory, to be conducted to the CPU as and when they are required.

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9
Q

Give the abbreviation of CPU.

A

Central Processing Unit

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10
Q

Give the function of a CPU.

A

It comprises one or more arithmetic logic unit, one or more control unit and any number of registers.

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11
Q

Give the function of ALU.

A

It performs calculations (e.g. 5 + 2), comparisons (e.g. 5 > 2) and logical operations (e.g. AND, NOT, OR) as instructed by the control unit.

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12
Q

Give the function of a register.

A

It is a temporary holding area for a small amount of data.

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13
Q

Give 3 types of registers.

A
  1. Some registers have a special purpose
  2. Others have a general purpose
  3. Key special-purpose registers
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14
Q

What are registers with a special purpose?

A

They have a clearly defined role such as knowing the memory location of the next instruction.

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15
Q

What are registers with a general purpose?

A

Their roles are more flexible and can be specified by the programmer.

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16
Q

What does → indicate?

A

Buses

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17
Q

Give the purpose of buses.

A

They transfer data between components in the directions indicated.

18
Q

What do data buses carry?

A
  1. Data
  2. Instructions
19
Q

What do address buses carry?

A

Memory locations to be accessed.

20
Q

What do control buses carry?

A

Commands to be carried out by the hardware, such as ‘read’ or ‘write’.

21
Q

What is a memory in CS?

A

It refers to any storage utilised by a computer system.

22
Q

Give 4 primary types of memory.

A
  1. RAM (Random Access Memory)
  2. ROM(Read Only Memory)
  3. Memory cache
  4. Disk cache
23
Q

Give another name for RAM.

A

Main memory

24
Q

Give the function of RAM.

A

It is the component of a computer that stores programs that are currently being executed or data that will be needed for immediate use.

25
Q

Describe RAM.

A

It is volatile, and contents are lost if the computer loses power.

26
Q

What does ‘read-only’ mean?

A

Their contents cannot be changed or deleted.

27
Q

Why is ROM considered non-volatile?

A

It is because the contents of ROM are safe when a computer loses power.

28
Q

What is ROM used for?

A

To store the bootstrap program, which is needed to start up the computer, as well as any system data that does not change.

29
Q

Give another name for memory cache.

A

CPU cache

30
Q

Describe memory cache.

A

It is a type of high-speed, smaller-capacity RAM variant, close to the CPU, intended to store commonly used data and instructions.

31
Q

How can data and instructions be accessed quicker?

A

It can be accessed quicker when stored in conventional RAM.

32
Q

What is a disk cache?

A

It is a specifically designated part of RAM, intended to contain data and instructions from secondary storage likely to be needed either repeatedly or simply next, after the current instruction.

33
Q

What does a disk cache help with?

A

Speeds up retrieval of data and instructions.

34
Q

Give 3 examples of secondary storage.

A
  1. Magnetic- internal and external hard disk drives (HDDs)
  2. Sold-state drives (SSDs) and USB flash drives (pen drives)
  3. Optical (CD/ DVD’ Blue-Ray) drives
35
Q

What is secondary storage referred to as?

A

It refers to any device that can store data, in addition to main memory.

36
Q

Describe secondary storage devices.

A

They are non-volatile and are typically high capacity, portable or both.

37
Q

Give 4 factors which affect the choice of a secondary storage device.

A
  1. Speed
  2. Cost per storage unit
  3. Durability
  4. Portability
38
Q

What does it mean by ‘speed’?

A

How fast can data be accessed.

39
Q

What does it mean by ‘cost per storage unit’?

A

How much does it cost per gigabyte or megabyte.

40
Q

What does it mean by ‘durability’?

A

Toughness

41
Q

What does it mean by portability?

A

How easy it is to move from one computer to another.

WJEC A level Computer Science (1 decks)

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