Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

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


See full index

Computer Science > Topic 4 - Computer Systems > Flashcards

Topic 4 - Computer Systems Flashcards

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

What is a computer?

A

A programmable device that takes data and outputs information

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

What are general purpose computers?

A

Devices with a variety of uses, the user chooses the task

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

What are examples of general purpose computers?

A

PC
i-pad
Laptop

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

What are embedded systems?

A

Device that only do a limited number of things

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

What are examples of embedded systems?

A

Thermostat
Coffee machine
Vacuum cleaner

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

What is the CPU?

A

Central Processing Unit
It controls everything

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

What does RAM stand for?

A

Random Access Memory

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

What does ROM stand for?

A

Read Only Memory

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

What does RAM store?

A

Instructions and data currently in use

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

What does ROM store?

A

Permanent instructions - ie. BIOS

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

What has more storage RAM or ROM?

A

RAM

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

Is RAM or ROM volitile?

A

RAM

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

What are RAM and ROM examples of?

A

Main Memory

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

What is a hard drive?

A

A main storage device

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

What does the hard drive store?

A

Files
Operating system

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

What is BIOS?

A

The basic code for controlling hardware

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

What do buses do?

A

Carry data around the CPU

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

What do clocks do?

A

Regulates FDE cycles per second

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

What does the Control Unit do?

A

Controls other components

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

What does the Arithmetic Logic Unit do?

A

Mathematical operations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are registers?

A

Fast access memory locations within the CPU

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Explain the execute cycle

A

The control unit tells the other components what to do

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What does the cache store?

A

Frequently used instructions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Explain the cache’s levels

A

L1- Fastest & least storage
L2 - In between
L3 -Slowest & most storage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

How does solid-state storage work?

A

Uses electricity and stores data in 0’s and 1’s

26
Q

How does optical storage work?

A

It uses a laser to read and write
Pits and lands represent 0’s and 1’s

27
Q

How does magnetic storage work?

A

Uses magnets to read data

28
Q

What are the advantages of solid-state storage?

A

High speed
Durable - no moving parts
Uses less electricity - no moving parts
Potable

29
Q

What are the disadvantages of solid-state storage?

A

Expensive

30
Q

What are the advantages of optical storage?

A

Cheap
Portable

31
Q

What are the disadvantages of optical storage?

A

Not durable
Small capacity

32
Q

What are the advantages of magnetic storage?

A

Large capacity
Cheap

33
Q

What are the disadvantages of magnetic storage?

A

Requires power
Not durable - moving parts

34
Q

What are examples of solid-state storage?

A

USB
SSD

35
Q

What are examples of optical storage?

A

CD
DVD
Blu-ray

36
Q

What are examples of magnetic storage?

A

Floppy disk
Hard disk drive

37
Q

What is the symbol for the AND logic gate

A

P = A.B

38
Q

What is the symbol for the OR logic gate

A

P = A+B

39
Q

What is cloud storage?

A

A way to store and access files through the internet

40
Q

How is data stored in cloud storage?

A

In hard drives in server farms

41
Q

What are the advantages of cloud storage?

A

Capacity can expand
Files can be accessed anywhere
You can easily share files
Centralised back-ups

42
Q

What are the disadvantages of cloud storage?

A

Relies on stable internet connection
Slower than secondary storage
Security risk
Data in hands of providers

43
Q

How can you improve PC performance?

A

Increase clock speed - More FDE cycles per second
Bigger cache - Slower to fetch from RAM
More cores - More programs can be run at once

44
Q

What are examples of high-level languages?

A

Python

45
Q

What are examples of low-level languages?

A

Assembly languages
Machine code

46
Q

What is high-level languages?

A

A language used to write computer programs that ahs to be translated before it is executed

47
Q

What is machine code?

A

Program code in binary that the computer understands

48
Q

What is assembly language?

A

A code that uses mnemonics/ abbreviation

49
Q

What are advantages of high-level languages?

A

Easy to learn
Easy to understand

50
Q

What are advantages of low-level languages?

A

Give complete control over the components
Uses less memory
Executes faster

51
Q

What does an assembler do?

A

Translates assembly language into machine code

52
Q

When is a compiler used?

A

On frequently run software

53
Q

When is a interpreter used?

A

During program development

54
Q

What does a compiler do?

A

Translates the whole program at once

55
Q

What does a interpreter do?

A

Translates one line at a time

56
Q

What are the advantages of a compiler?

A

Faster
Cannot see source code

57
Q

What are the disadvantages of a Interpreter?

A

Slower
Can see the source code

58
Q

What are examples of Application software?

A

Web browsers
Photo-editing tools
Video-editing tools
Spreadsheets

59
Q

What are examples of System software?

A

Operating system
Utility software

60
Q

What does the operating system do?

A

Controls hardware
Provides user interface
Manages memory
Manages applications
Manages security
Manages processes

61
Q

What does Utility software do?

A

Encryption software
Defragmentation software
Data compression software
Back-up software

Computer Science (6 decks)

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