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Computer Science > Unit 4- Hardware > Flashcards

Unit 4- Hardware Flashcards

1
Q

Hardware Definition

A

The electronic/ eletrical/ physical/ mechanical componemts of the computer system

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2
Q

Software Definition

A

Programs which run on the hardware/ computer (system)

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3
Q

What is system software?

A

A layer of software which enables users to operate computer

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4
Q

Types of System Software

A

Operating system/ utility programs/ library programs/ compilers/ assembler/ interpreter/ file manager/ bootstrap loader/ hardware driver/ BIOS/ spooler/ communication software/ device manager/ memory managment/ GUI/ screen saver

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5
Q

What is an Operating System?

A

A set of programs which lies between application software and computer hardware.

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6
Q

Types of Software:

A

System software & application software

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7
Q

Types of appication Software:

A

General Purpose Software/ Special Purpose

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8
Q

Types of things that OS’s do:

A

Resource management or provision of a useres interface

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9
Q

What is a utility program?

A

Software that performs a non-core/ ancillary/ specific managment function for a computer

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10
Q

Examples of utility programs:

A

Disk defragmenter, backup, compression, encryption software

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11
Q

What is a library?

A

Library is a collection of pre-compiled routines that can be used by other programs

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12
Q

What are translators?

A

Translators are used to convert assembly language or other high level code into machine code

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13
Q

Types of translators:

A

Compilers, interpreters and assemblers

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14
Q

What do assemblers convert from and to?

A

Assemblers convert assembly language language into machine code

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15
Q

What do compilers convert from and into?

A

Compilers convert high level language into object code

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16
Q

What do interpreters convert from and into?

A

Interpresters also translate high level language into object code.

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17
Q

What is application software?

A

Application software is for carrying out tasks that are user orientated/ that the user would want to do even without a computer system.

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18
Q

Types of application software

A

General purpose software, special purpose software, off-the-shelf software, bespoke software.

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19
Q

What is general purpose software?

A

It can be used for a range of generic tasks including word processors, graphic packages, spreadsheet software (note don’t say brand names)

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20
Q

What is the purpose of special software?

A

To perform a specific tasks or set of tasks for a single specific job.

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21
Q

Examples of special purpose software

A

Payroll/ accountancy software, media players, calendar programs, online payment systems, hotel booking systems, fingerprint scanning systems.

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22
Q

What is off-the-shelf software?

A

Software which is bought ready to be used.

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23
Q

Benefits of off the shelf software

A

Readily available for all to use, lower cost, well-documented.

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24
Q

Drawbacks of off-the-shelf software

A

Little to no control over what you get out of the software.

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25
Q

What is bespoke software?

A

Software which is customised for particular requirements

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26
Q

Benefits of bespoke software

A

Complete control over the process gives all the functionality that you need.

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27
Q

Drawbacks of bespoke software.

A

May take time to develop (several weeks or months), can significantly increase cost.

28
Q

What is the role of the OS?

A

Hides the complexities of the hardware from the user. (MS)

29
Q

Functions of an OS

A

Memory management, processor scheduling, backing store management, management of all input and output.

30
Q

How does the OS control memory?

A

Each program run on a computer must be allocated a specific area of memory whilst the computer is running so that users can switch from one app to the other

31
Q

What happens if the RAM is not large enough to store programs simultaneously?

A

The hard disk is used as an extension of memory known as virstual memory.

32
Q

When something in virtual memory is reopened where is it stored?

A

It is re downloaded into RAM

33
Q

How does the OS make the most efficient use of the processor?

A

While one app is using the CPU, the OS queues up the next process

34
Q

What is multi-tasking?

A

When the processor gives the appearance of carrying out several tasks simultaneously be carrying out small parts of multiple larger tasks in turn

35
Q

What is the scheduler?

A

The scheduler is the OS module responsible for mkaing sure that the processor time is used as efficeintly as possible

36
Q

What are the objectives of the scheduler?

A

Maximise throughput, be fair to all users on multi user systems, provide acceptable response time to all users, ensure hardware resources are kept as busy as possible

37
Q

When a application/ file is needs to be loaded/stored how is it known where to find/put that piece of software?

A

The OS keeps a directory of where files are stored so that it can be accessed quickly or what storage is free so it can be saved there

38
Q

What is the OS’s job in terms of peripherals?

A

The OS has to verify that peripherals are what they say they are and ensure that they are allocated to processes without causing conflicts

39
Q

What is an interupt?

A

A signal from a peripheral or software program that causes the OS to stop processing its current list of instructions

40
Q

What happens if an error occurs at the peripheral?

A

The OS is responsible for detecting the interupt and display an appropriate message

41
Q

What is machine code made of?

A

It is made of opcode (operation code) and and an operand

42
Q

What is the opcode?

A

The part of the instruction that specifies which operation the processor should perform

43
Q

What is the operand?

A

A value of set of values relevant to the opcode

44
Q

What order are the operand and opcode typically in?

A

Typically the opcode is in the first few bits and the oeprand is in the rest of it.

45
Q

What is assembly language?

A

A type of low level languages which communicates directly with the machine however rather than it being written in binary, it is written in mnemonics

46
Q

What is an imperative high level language?

A

Languages that consist of commands for the computer to perform

47
Q

What are the advantages of high level languages?

A

Easy to learn, faster to program, programs are easier to understand, debug, and maintain, programs written in a high level language are not dependent on a particular machine, there are many built in library functions

48
Q

What is an assembler?

A

An assembler translates assembly code into a machine code

49
Q

What is a compiler?

A

Compilers convert high level languages into machine code.

50
Q

How does a compiler work?

A

The compiler will scan the source code several times, putting it into tables of data and performing different check so that the final object code can be produced?

51
Q

What is object code?

A

Machine code

52
Q

Will a compiler work on every computer?

A

No, each hardware platform will require its own compiler since object code can be specific

53
Q

What is an interpreter?

A

A program that directly executes instructions written in a language without them previously being compiler

54
Q

How does the interpreter software work?

A

The software contains subroutines which carry out each high level instruction, and after it is written, the interpreter analyses it and then calls the appropriate subroutines within its own program code.

54
Q

How do interpreters work?

A

They translate and execute each line of source code as and when it is rnun

54
Q

What will an interpreter do if there is an error in the program?

A

Sometimes it will try to run and crash halfway through, other times it will just say no and throw a hissy fit and refuse to run

55
Q

What is bytecode?

A

It is source code that has been compiled into low level code designed to be run on a virtual machine.

56
Q

Can byte code always be translated?

A

No, a interpreter must be present on the users computer for it to be translated and executed

57
Q

Why is bytecode prefered?

A

It speeds up the translation process

58
Q

What do most languages now use instead of a compiler/ interpreter?

A

Most languages now use an intermediate representation which combines compiling and interpreting and results in byte code which which is executed by a bytecode interpreter.

59
Q

Advantages of bytecode:

A

An advantage of bytecode is platform independence which means that any computer that has a piece of software which masks differences between a computers OS and hardware, (eg a Java Virtual Machine) can run that code (eg. java). Also there is an extra security layers between the computer and the program.

60
Q

Advantages of Compilers

A

The object code can be saved and run on a disk when required, the object code executes faster than the interpreted code, the object code produced by a compiler can be distributed without a compiler present, object code is more secure

61
Q

When is a compiler appropriate?

A

It is appropriate when a program is run reguarly or frequently

62
Q

Advantages of an Interpreter

A

It is useful for program development as there is no need for recompilation each time an error occures, easier to partially test and debug, the program may run slower than a compiled program as it has to be translated each time

63
Q

What is a D-Type Flip Flop?

A

A D-Type flip flop is a synchronous sequential circuit that can be used to store the value of a a bit

Computer Science (8 decks)

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