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Edexcel GCSE Computer Science > Topic 4 - Computers > Flashcards

Topic 4 - Computers Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a Hardware Machine?

A

The physical components that make up a system.

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2
Q

What is a Virtual Machine (VM) ?

A

A program with the same functionality of a physical computer.

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3
Q

What are the three types of computational models?

A

Sequential, parallel, multi-agent

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4
Q

What is a sequential computational model?

A

Algorithms that execute from start to finish, line by line.

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5
Q

What is a parallel computational model?

A

Algorithms that can be executed simultaneously on multiple processing devices.

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6
Q

What is a multi-agent computational model?

A

Algorithms that consist of individual agents that work individually and in a decentralised way.

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7
Q

How can we briefly describe a Computer System?

A

Input –> Process Storage –> Output

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8
Q

What is RAM?

A

Random Access Memory - anything stored in here can be accessed in roughly the same amount of time.

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9
Q

What is latency?

A

The time delay between stimulation and response.

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10
Q

What is ROM?

A

Read-Only Memory: can only be read, not changed or updated, and stores essential programs.

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11
Q

What is a CPU?

A

Central Processing Unit: the circuitry in a computer and controls the manipulation of data.

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12
Q

What 3 parts does the CPU consist of?

A
  1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
  2. Registers
  3. Control Unit (CU)
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13
Q

What does the ALU do?

A

Circuits that perform logical, mathematical operations on data (e.g. + , Boolean)

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14
Q

What do registers do?

A

Small stores of data within the CPU that temporarily hold data, addresses and instructions.

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15
Q

What does the Control Unit (CU) do?

A

A circuitry coordinating the activities of a computer.

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16
Q

What does an Address Bus do?

A

Specifies the physical memory location where the processor needs to read and write to in the memory.

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17
Q

What does a Data Bus do?

A

Transmits the actual data to and from the memory.

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18
Q

What is the name of the process that the CPU uses when dealing with memory?

A

Fetch-Execute Cycle

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19
Q

What does the Program Counter (PC) do ?

A

Stores the memory location of the next instruction to be executed. It increments after the end of the fetch stage.

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20
Q

What does the Current Instruction Register (CIR) do?

A

Stores instructions currently being processed.

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21
Q

What happens in the FETCH stage (4) ?

A
  1. CPU receives address by the PC
  2. Address is added to the address bus.
  3. Main memory receives this and transfers this to a data bus back to CPU.
  4. Instruction stored in the CIR.
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22
Q

What happens in the DECODE stage (2) ?

A
  1. CU makes sense of the instruction according to the instruction set.
  2. Instruction decomposed into its individual components.
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23
Q

What happens in the EXECUTE stage?

A

CU activates and initiates the processing required by the instruction. (i.e. if arithmetic calculation = ALU)

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24
Q

In what form are all computer programs executed in by the processor?

A

Machine code (1s and 0s)

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25
Q

When machine code is translated, what happens?

A

Each high-level instruction is split into smaller low-level instructions.

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26
Q

What is assembly language?

A

An improved alternative of binary and uses mnemonics.

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27
Q

What is hardware?

A

The physical items that make up a computer system.

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28
Q

What is the processor (CPU) ?

A

Carries out the instructions from programs by processing data.

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29
Q

What is Main Memory?

A

Temporarily stores data and program instructions for open applications.

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30
Q

Is RAM a form of non-volatile or volatile memory?

A

Volatile - the data is lost if the power is turned off.

31
Q

What is Secondary Storage?

A

A persistent store of data and is not directly connected to the CPU.

32
Q

What is an Input Device?

A

Inputs data for processing .

33
Q

What is an Output Device?

A

Presents data that has been processed.

34
Q

What are examples of input devices (2) ?

A

Camera, buttons

35
Q

What are examples of output devices (2) ?

A

Speakers and a touch screen (input AND output)

36
Q

What are the three types of Secondary Storage devices?

A

Magnetic, Optical, Solid-State

37
Q

What are the three features of a Magnetic secondary storage device?

A

+ Large capacity and cheap to buy
/ Usually reliable but not that durable
- Generally not very portable

38
Q

What are the three features of an Optical secondary storage device?

A
  • Per unit, they have a small capacity
    / Fairly reliable and durable but can be easily damaged.
    + Good portability - easy to transport and carry.
39
Q

What are the three features of a Solid-State secondary storage device?

A

/ Very fast for storage but expensive
+ Very reliable as they are non-mechanical.
- Generally have a smaller capacity than magnetic

40
Q

What is a microcontroller?

A

A small computer contained on a single chip.

41
Q

What are examples of microcontrollers?

A

TV Remote, Car keys, Digital fridges, etc.

42
Q

What is an Actuator?

A

A motor that can move/control a system.

43
Q

What is a sensor?

A

Detects changes to its environment and converts it into an output, e.g. light intensity, altitude (barometer)

44
Q

What are the three basic Boolean operators?

A

AND OR NOT

45
Q

What is a Truth Table?

A

A method of representing every possible result based on inputs in a Boolean expression.

46
Q

How does AND work?

A

Returns true if BOTH conditions are true, else the result is false.

47
Q

How does OR work?

A

Returns true if EITHER the conditions are true. It will only return false if both conditions are false.

48
Q

How does NOT work?

A

Reverses (negates) the input.

49
Q

What is software?

A

The programs running on a computer system.

50
Q

What is Application Software?

A

Programs that perform a specific task for the benefit of the user.

51
Q

What are some examples of Application software?

A

Word processors, apps, games, web browsers, etc.

52
Q

What is System Software?

A

Performs tasks needed to operate the hardware (e.g. operating systems, game machines). They provide service for other software.

53
Q

What is an Operating System (OS) ?

A

The essential software that links the hardware and OTHER software together and manages the computer.

54
Q

What are some examples of Operating Systems?

A

Android, Linux, Windows, iOS

55
Q

What two things does an Operating System do?

A
  1. Hides the true complexity of the hardware.

2. Manages the hardware resources, I/O devices, etc.

56
Q

What 7 tasks does an Operating System perform?

A
  1. File Management
  2. Input / Output
  3. Resource Allocation
  4. Process Management
  5. Network Management
  6. Memory Management
  7. User Management
57
Q

What is a Software Model?

A

A computer program designed to simulate aspects of the real world.

58
Q

What are examples of Software Models?

A

Weather, Economics, Nuclear Physics, etc.

59
Q

What are some advantages of using Software Models?

A
  1. Saves time and money
  2. Tests can be repeatedly run.
  3. Factors like safety are not an issue
60
Q

What is a programming language?

A

A formal constructed language designed to communicate instructions to a machine.

61
Q

What are two examples of low-level programming languages?

A
  1. Machine Code

2. Assembly Language

62
Q

What are 4 examples of high-level languages?

A
  1. C++
  2. Java
  3. Python
  4. Pseudocode
63
Q

What are two examples of Natural Languages?

A
  1. English

2. German (or any other spoken language)

64
Q

What is Machine Code made up of?

A

0s and 1s.

65
Q

What are three features of Machine Code?

A
  • Written for specific processors so NOT VERY PORTABLE
    + Executes very fast
  • Impractical: code is very long and errors are hard to find
66
Q

What are three features of Assembly Language?

A

+ More programmer-friendly
+ Allows high control
- Still fairly difficult to deal with.

67
Q

What are three features of High-Level languages?

A

+ Far easier to use
- Strict syntax
+ Portable
+ Simplistic and efficient

68
Q

What is a translator?

A

A program that converts code from one language into another.

69
Q

What are the two types of high-level translators?

A

COMPILER and INTERPRETER

70
Q

What does a compiler do?

A

Converts high-level language into machine code.

71
Q

How does a compiler translate the code?

A
  • Scans through the whole code.

- Translates it ALL into object code (i.e. machine code)

72
Q

What does a interpreter do?

A

Converts high-level language into machine code.

73
Q

How does an interpreter translate the code?

A
  • Works line by line.
74
Q

What are two comparisons between a compiler and an interpreter?

A
  • Interpreters are slower than compilers.

- Interpreters are more flexible than compilers.

Edexcel GCSE Computer Science (6 decks)

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