Von Neumann Architecture

Question 1

What is Von Neumann Architecture?

Answer 1

Is where both the data and the software that are currently being used are stored in computer memory (RAM)

Question 2

What is Von Neumann Architecture also known as?

Answer 2

Stored Program Computer

Question 3

List 6 things about the Von Neumann Architecture

Answer 3

There is enough memory available to hold both programs and data
There is a Control Unit
Data and instructions are carried on buses
There is an Arithmetic Logic Unit
There is a special type of memory called registers
There is a way of inputting data into the computer and a way to output information

Question 4

What was different with the Havard Architecture?

Answer 4

It has the idea of keeping data and instructions in separate memory

Question 5

What is stored in the MDR?

Answer 5

In order for the CPU to fetch an instruction from main memory (RAM), the instruction is temporarily stored in a special register called the Memory Data Register (MDR)

Question 6

What is stored in the MAR?

Answer 6

The address of the data or instruction being accessed

Question 7

What do all data and instructions in memory have?

Answer 7

A unique and specific address

Question 8

What is updated in the Program Counter?

Answer 8

The software that is running updates the Program Counter with the address of the next instruction to fetch

Question 9

What is a branch instruction?

Answer 9

When the Program Counter is instructed to jump to a completely different address for the next instruction

Question 10

What is the Accumulator used for?

Answer 10

Is used to temporarily store data whilst calculations are being performed within the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)