Computer Systems

Question 1

What is in a CPU

Answer 1

The controller, ALU, registers, internal memory and buses

Question 2

What is backing storage

Answer 2

Where data is stored when it is not being actively used

Question 3

What is the address bus

Answer 3

To storage address of data travels along here

Question 4

What is the data bus

Answer 4

This is the path along which data travels

Question 5

What is a port

Answer 5

A port servers as an interface between the computer and other devices

Question 6

What is the controller

Answer 6

The controller sends and receives signals from all parts of the computer

Question 7

What is the ALU

Answer 7

It is the part of the CPU that processes and manipulates data, including comparisons

Question 8

What is a register

Answer 8

A storage location found on the CPU where data or control information is temporarily stored

Question 9

What is internal memory

Answer 9

Internal memory is fast access temporary storage

Question 10

What are buses

Answer 10

Buses allow data to be transferred to different parts of the computer

Question 11

What is the control bus

Answer 11

The control bus is used by the controller to send control signals to different parts of the computer

Question 12

What is the cycle that the processor follows

Answer 12

The fetch-decode-execute cycle

Question 13

What things affect performance

Answer 13

Size of cache, speed of clock, number of cores and types of processors

Question 14

How does the cache help

Answer 14

Cache memory improves the performance of the CPU as it is able to provide instructions and data to the CPU at a much faster rate than other system memory such as RAM

Question 15

How does the clock speed help

Answer 15

The faster the clock speed, the faster the computer is able to run the fetch-decode-execute cycle and therefore process more instructions

Question 16

What is overclocking

Answer 16

A processor can be set to run faster than its original design. By doing this however, it uses more energy and produces more heat

Question 17

How does the number of cores help

Answer 17

Multi-core processors therefore have many processing components within the same CPU

Question 18

Describe Reduced Instruction Set Computer

Answer 18

RISC processors can process a limited number of relatively simple instructions. To carry out more complex commands the problem is broken down into a longer list of simpler instructions

Question 19

Describe Complex Instruction Set Computer

Answer 19

CISC processors can process a large number of complex instructions. This allows the processor to understand and carry out complex tasks with only a few instructions

Question 20

What is RAM

Answer 20

RAM is used for the temporary storage of currently running programs and data. It consists of a large number of store locations each of which is identified by a unique address

Question 21

What is ROM

Answer 21

ROM is used for the permanent storage of data. The data in each store location cannot be changed.
ROM is permanent –data is not lost when the power is switched off

Question 22

What is flash memory

Answer 22

Flash memory is used for the permanent storage of data. However, the data stored in flash memory can
be changed

Question 23

What is the fastest type of memory

Answer 23

Cache memory

Question 24

When is data written from memory to secondary storage

Answer 24

When data is no longer being actively used, for a later time

Question 25

Common types of backing storage

Answer 25

Flash drive, hard drive, CD disk, magnetic tape

Question 26

How is data read on optical storage

Answer 26

They use lasers to see if light is reflected back or not, which dictates if the data reads 1 or 0

Question 27

How is data read on magnetic storage

Answer 27

Data is written by a write-head and read by the read-head

Question 28

Why is solid state drives good

Answer 28

It does not have any moving parts, such as a read-head in magnetic storage

Question 29

Advantages to storing in the cloud

Answer 29

Backup and cheaper than additional storage devices

Question 30

Disadvantages to storing in the cloud

Answer 30

Internet connection is required, the third-party server location may not have good data protection legislation

Question 31

Main features of a GUI

Answer 31

Windows, icons, menus, pointers and shortcuts

Question 32

Advantages and disadvantages to GUI

Answer 32

Easy to use and no complication commands, but requires a lot of memory and processor intensive

Question 33

Advantages and disadvantages to menu

Answer 33

Easy to understand and little processing power, but can be irritating due to the amount of menu screens and can be a long process

Question 34

Advantages and disadvantages to voice-driven

Answer 34

No need to learn to type and reduce danger of RSI, but words that sound the same may not work and background noise can interfere

Question 35

Advantages and disadvantages to CLI

Answer 35

Quicker to type commands and little storage space, but not suitable for a novice and a lot needs to be learnt

Question 36

Advantages and disadvantages to touch

Answer 36

No keyboard/mouse required and easy to use, but screen can be damaged and user's hand may obscure the screen