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Unit 3 - Computers Flashcards

1
Q

What is the main principle of the Von Neumann architecture?

A

Both instructions and data can be stored in the same memory

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2
Q

What are the advantages of the Von Neumann architecture?

A
  1. Less physical space is needed
  2. Easier to achieve
  3. Cheaper than the Harvard machine
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3
Q

What are the disadvantages of the Von Neumann architecture?

A
  1. Higher chance of memory leaks

2. May be slower because instructions and data are both sharing the same bus

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4
Q

What is the stored program concept?

A

Instructions are stored in the memory of the computer in order to be accessed easily and carried out in sequence

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5
Q

What are the advantages of the stored program concept?

A
  1. Modern computers can be more flexible
  2. Power gained
  3. More versatile
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6
Q

How does a computer keep track of files in a file system?

A

It uses a hierarchy technique

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7
Q

What do file permissions control?

A

They control different aspects of a file in a computer, they decide which users can read, write and execute

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8
Q

What is the top file in a hierarchy system called?

A

Root folder

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9
Q

What does user management control?

A

Keeps track of how the user interacts with the computer through the user interface .e.g. security authentication

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10
Q

What is a peripheral device?

A

A device which is connected to the computer to perform a specific function .e.g. a printer

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11
Q

What component in a computer does a peripheral device connect with?

A

The operating system

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12
Q

What is a process?

A

A program which is currently running

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13
Q

How does a computer multitask?

A

It cannot run multiple programs at once so it switches through all of the programs very quickly which gives the impression of multitasking

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14
Q

What role does the operating system play in process management?

A

It is responsible for making sure that each program gets an equal share of the CPU

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15
Q

What is volatile memory?

A

A form of memory which requires an electric current in order to be retained, as soon as the computer is switched off, anything stored in volatile memory is lost

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16
Q

What is non-volatile memory?

A

A form of memory which can retain data even after the computer has been turned off, without non-volatile memory we could not store any documents on the computer permanently

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17
Q

T/F: RAM is a non-volatile form of memory whereas ROM is a volatile form of memory

A

False: other way around

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18
Q

What is RAM used for and why is it useful?

A

It is used to store data and instructions which are in immediate use, it means that these can be accessed quickly making the computer more efficient

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19
Q

What is ROM used for and why is it useful?

A

It holds instructions for starting up the computer which are executed immediately, data stored in ROM cannot be modified, it makes the computer more effective and quicker to use

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20
Q

Where is main memory located?

A

Just right of the motherboard

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21
Q

What does main memory store?

A

Data, programs and instructions

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22
Q

Why do we need main memory and why is it so close to the motherboard?

A

It ensures that data can be read from and written into without the computer slowing down

23
Q

Why is secondary storage important?

A

Without it all data would be lost as soon as the computer is turned off - it is a non-volatile form of memory

24
Q

What are the three main processes of the CPU?

A

Input, Store and Output data

25
Name the five main components of the CPU
1. Caches 2. Bus 3. Clock 4. Arithmetic logic unit 5. Control unit
26
What is the purpose of the control unit?
It instructs the actions of the processor
27
What is the purpose of the buses?
Address bus - carries memory addresses to and from the components Data bus - carries data through the components Control bus - carries control signals from the processor to other components
28
What is the purpose of the arithmetic logic unit?
Performs logic and arithmetic calculations
29
What is the purpose of the caches?
A small amount of memory close to the CPU which is used to store instructions and data temporarily which can be accessed quicker to improve efficiency
30
What is the purpose of the clock?
Measures and controls the number of cycles the CPU completes per second, the faster the clock speed the more efficient the CPU as it is carrying out more instructions
31
Explain the input-process-output model
The idea that the computers purpose it to intake data, modify it and then output it back to the user, data can also be stored within the computer to be used at a later date
32
Give the definition of a robust piece of software
It has a low vulnerability rate
33
What is code vulnerability and how can it be fixed?
Problems within a program which provide easy access to hackers to steal information or to introduce malicious code into it, they can be detected by putting your code through trials
34
What are bad practices?
Habits that programmers fall into which cause them to produce vulnerable code or causing a program to fail repeatedly
35
Why do we use code reviews?
They ensure that the best solution to a problem has been achieved or that a program is as efficient as possible
36
T/F: You should always get someone else to review your code as they have a fresh perspective
True
37
What is an audit trial?
It is a log of changes made to a program so that people can track what has been made by who
38
Explain the fetch - decode - execute cycle
1. The instruction is fetched by the processor 2. The instruction is decoded so that the computer can understand it 3. The instruction is carried out
39
What does file repair do?
It is used when a file becomes broken or unrecognisable, this piece of utility software recovers all the data possible and puts it into a new file to be accessed by the user
40
What does backup do?
It stores a copy of a file or data in a separate location so that it the first one becomes damaged or corrupt you can still retain the information
41
What does anti-malware utility software do?
It protects your computer against any possibly malicious software that is used to gain access to files or corrupt your computer, it detects and removes any harmful material
42
What does data compression do?
It applies lossy or lossless compression to files and data in your computer to stop them from taking up so much room, it may involve storing files in a different format or used a compressed or zipped folder
43
What does disk defragmentation do?
Files are broken up into blocks which are ideally placed next to one another but as files are added or deleted these blocks get moved around and get fragmented, this piece of software scans all blocks of data and places them back together
44
What are high level languages?
Statements shown as mathematical expressions rather than machine code .e.g. python or C++
45
Give advantages of high level languages
They are easy to write and take up less memory space
46
Give one old disadvantage of high level languages
They used to be slow due to the translators used by now translators are faster and more efficient
47
What are low level languages?
These are programs represented as specific commands which can be easily translated, however, they are extremely mentally taxing and only suitable for one type of processor
48
What is a translator?
A device used to translate source code into object code
49
How does a compiler work?
It collects all commands and translates them before running the program, it is very quick and efficient but all errors must be corrected prior to run
50
How does an interpreter work?
It translates each line as it runs it, this means that it will run up to an error in the code (it is useful for new coders as it aids in catching errors) but it is slower as the translator is required during runtime
51
What is the operating system?
A system which controls and manages all hardware, other software and provides the user interface on a computer
52
What is the round robin process?
Each task is allocated a specific amount of tie dependent on its queue position and priority
53
What is a robust piece of software?
A robust piece of software is one which has a low code vulnerability rate

Computer Studies (6 decks)

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