Key terminology 1.1

Question 1

CPU

Answer 1

Central Processing Unit: the main part of the computer, consisting of registers, the ALU and the CU.

Question 2

Von Neumann Architecture

Answer 2

Traditional computer architecture that is the basic design for most modern computer systems. Uses the FDE cycle.

Question 3

MAR

Answer 3

Memory Address Register: holds the address of data that is ready to be used or an instruction.

Question 4

MDR

Answer 4

Memory Data Register: holds the data fetched from memory.

Question 5

PC

Answer 5

Program Counter: holds the address of the next instruction.

Question 6

Accumulator

Answer 6

Holds the results of calculations.

Question 7

ALU

Answer 7

Arithmetic Logic Unit: performs mathematical and logical calculations.

Question 8

CU

Answer 8

Control Unit: decodes instructions.

Question 9

Cache

Answer 9

Memory in the processor providing fast access to frequently used data or instructions.

Question 10

FDE cycle

Answer 10

Fetch Decode Execute: the complete process of retrieving, decoding and running an instruction.

Question 11

Clock speed

Answer 11

Measured in hertz, it is the number of FDE cycles carried out in a second.

Question 12

Core

Answer 12

A part of a processor which contains a CPU. A computer can have a multi-core processor which contains more then one core.

Question 13

Embedded system

Answer 13

A computer built into a device which controls it, e.g. in a washing machine or a phone.