Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Computer Science > Computer Systems > Flashcards

Computer Systems Flashcards

(79 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What are the main 4 logic gates?

A
  • NOT
  • AND
  • OR
  • XOR
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

NOT gate

A

Inverts the input (0 to 1, and 1 to 0)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What does a small circle at the end of a logic operator symbol means?

A

It inverts the input

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the Boolean algebraic expression for a NOT Gate

A

Q = Ā

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What symbol is used to represent a NOT gate?

A

A triangle with a circle at the end

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

AND gate

A

Output is only true (1) if both inputs are true

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the Boolean algebraic expression for an AND gate?

A

Q = A · B

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What symbol is used to represent an AND gate?

A

A semicircle with two inputs along the straight edge (left) and one output on the curve (right)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

OR gate

A

Will return true as long as one (or both) of the inputs are true. If both are false, output will be false too.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the Boolean algebraic expression for an OR gate?

A

Q = A + B

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the symbol used to represent an OR gate?

A

Pointed ‘spaceship’-like shape, with two inputs on the curved edge and the output on the point at the end

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

XOR gate

A

Exclusive OR gate.
Returns true if either A or B is true, however it will return false if both (or neither) are true.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the Boolean algebraic expression for an XOR gate?

A

Q = A ⊕ B

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the symbol used to represent an XOR gate?

A

The same ‘spaceship’ shape as the OR gate, with a thin line before it, going along with the curve

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Truth Table

A

A table of results for any combination of inputs into a logic gate/circuit

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Logic Circuit

A

A combination of logic gates

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Hardware

A

Any physical component that makes up a computer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Software

A

A program that runs on a computer - not a physical asset

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

System Software

A

Programs that are needed to enable the computer to function, such as the OS

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Application Software

A

Programs that enable the user to complete a certain task, such as a word processor that allows the user to write an essay

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Operating System (OS)

A

A group of programs that manage the computer’s resources and all the applications on the computer.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What are the four functions of a typical Operating System?

A
  • Processor management
  • Memory management
  • Application management
  • Security management
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Processor Management

A

Allocates pending tasks processor time so that they can all be completed.
If a computer has more than one processor core, then it will divide the tasks up between these.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Application Management

A

Runs programs to install applications, and then communicates with the software using the API (Applications Program Interface) to save, upload, and edit data.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Memory Management
Allocates free blocks of memory in storage to the programs that need it. When a program no longer needs that space, the memory management system allows that space to be used for another program.
26
Security Management
Protects against attacks and threats to ensure a device and/or its network stays safe.
27
What features does the OS have for security management?
- Encryption - Allows you to set different access rights for different users - Controls access to computer by different passwords - Automatically downloads updates to the OS
28
Embedded System
A computer system that’s built into another device to support its (basic/singular) function.
29
Give a few examples of embedded systems?
- Cameras - Washing Machines - Microwaves - Traffic Lights
30
General Purpose System
Computer systems that are able to perform many different tasks.
31
Utility Software
A group of system programs that help to control/manage the computer system.
32
Name the four main types of Utility Software
- Encryption - Defragmentation - Backup - Compression
33
Defragmentation
A process that improves hard disk performance by applying an algorithm to reprganise data
34
Encryption
Prevents unauthorized access to files by “scrambling” the data
35
Backup
Making copies of data that can be restored in the event of data loss.
36
Low-level language
A programming language that is closer to computer-understandable binary than English
37
High-level language
A programming language that is designed to be easier for humans to read/understand - is closer to English
38
What are the two types of programming language?
Low-level and Hugh-level languages
39
Give a few examples of high-level programming languages
- Python - C# - Visual Basic
40
Give a few examples of low-level programming language
- Machine code - Assembly language
41
What are the advantages of low-level languages?
- Gives complete control over system components - Efficient code - Requires less memory than a compiled high-level language
42
What are the advantages of high-level languages?
- Relatively easy to learn as it’s similar to maths/english - Faster to program in - Specialised high-level languages have been developed for certain ‘types’ of programming
43
Compiler
Translates a whole program written in a high-level language into machine code
44
Source Code
The code written by the programmer
45
Object Code
The machine code produced by a compiler
46
Advantages of a compiler:
- Hide source code from end-user - Produces an executable program
47
One disadvantage of a compiler could be that…
… the compilation process can be very slow
48
Interpreter
Used to translate code written in a high-level language into machine code. It translates and executes one line at a time.
49
Advantages of interpreters:
- Will stop the moment there is an error, which is useful for debugging - Interpreted languages are portable, so they can run on many types of computer
50
Portable
Code that can be run on many types of CPU, as long as there’s the necessary software.
51
Disadvantages of interpreters:
- Do not produce a compiled program file - Slower than a compiled program as it has to be interpreted each time the software runs
52
Assembler
Translates assembly code into executable binary (machine code)
53
What could be a disadvantage of using an assembler?
It’s difficult to use and requires deep technical knowledge of the CPU.
54
What are the advantages of using an assembler?
- Provides exact control over hardware - Can be used on low-specification machines
55
What are the three main features of Von Neumann architecture?
- Data and instructions are stored in memory as binary digits - Instructions are fetched from memory one at a time, in order (serially) - The processor decodes the instruction before it’s executed
56
What are the four components of the processor?
- Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) - Control Unit (CU) - Clock - Bus
57
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The core component in almost all computers. Calculates and interprets instructions.
58
What three operations does the ALU (Arithmetic and Logic Unit) carry out?
- Logical Operations - Shift Operations - Arithmetic Operations
59
Control Unit (CU)
Coordinates all the activities taking place inside the CPU. This includes: decoding instructions, regulating processor timing, and the sending/receiving of control signals from other devices within the computer.
60
Clock
Synchronises all CPU operations. It controls processor timing.
61
Clock frequency
The number of clock cycles that occur each second. Measured in Hertz, where 1 Hz = 1 clock cycle per second.
62
Register
A very fast memory location within the CPU.
63
Bus
Internal connections between main memory and the processor that data and program instructions travel along.
64
System Bus
The collective name for all the wires and buses that connect the components within a computer system.
65
Fetch-Execute Cycle
The process in which data is retrieved from memory, and the instructions within it are executed.
66
What happens in the ‘Fetch’ part of the fetch-execute cycle?
- The address of the next instruction to be executed is fetched from the register it’s held in - The instruction at this address is fetched from memory and put into a special register to be decoded
67
What happens in the ‘decode’ part of the fetch-execute cycle?
The control unit decodes the instruction to see what needs to happen next
68
What happens in the ‘execute’ part of the fetch-execute cycle?
The instruction is followed/carried out
69
Clock Speed
Measured in gigahertz (GHz), where 1 GHz = 1 billion clock cycles per second.
70
The greater the clock speed…
… the faster instructions will be executed.
71
Cache Memory
Quick, easy access, memory that temporarily holds instructions or data that are frequently used. It’s the intermediary between the main RAM and the CPU.
72
Main Memory
Can be accessed directly by the CPU
73
Secondary Storage
Cannot be directly accessed by the CPU. Where data is stored for long-term use. Refers to hard disk drives, optical disks, and solid state drives.
74
RAM (Random Access Memory)
Acts as temporary storage for programs and data while the program is being executed.
75
Volatile Memory
Loses its data if there’s no power. RAM is an example of volatile memory.
76
Non-volatile memory
Does not lose its contents without power, designed for long-term storage of files. An example of non-volatile memory could be a hard disk drive.
77
ROM (Read Only Memory)
Non-volatile memory that is used to store the bootstrap loader. ROM can only be read from; it cannot be written to.
78
Bootstrap loader
A small program that loads up the operating system (OS). Stored in the ROM.
79
What features would you consider when choosing a storage device?
- Capacity - Speed - Portability - Durability - Reliability

Computer Science (4 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions