Computing Components Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is access time?
The time it takes for a system to retrieve data from memory or storage.
What is addressability?
The capability of a system to access and manipulate each unit of data in memory individually.
What is an arithmetic logic unit (ALU)?
The part of the CPU that performs arithmetic calculations and logical operations.
What is a block in data storage?
A fixed-size unit of data stored and accessed on a disk or in memory.
What is bus width?
The number of bits that can be transmitted simultaneously on a data bus, affecting data transfer speed.
What is cache memory?
A small, fast type of volatile memory that stores frequently accessed data to speed up processing.
What is a central processing unit (CPU)?
The main component of a computer that executes instructions and processes data.
What is the control unit in a CPU?
The part of the CPU that directs its operation, managing the execution of instructions and coordinating other components.
What is a cylinder in hard drives?
A set of tracks located at the same position on multiple disk platters in a hard drive.
What is an input unit?
Devices and components used to input data into a computer system, such as keyboards and mice.
What is an instruction register?
A register in the CPU that holds the current instruction being executed.
What is latency in data transfer?
The delay before a transfer of data begins following an instruction for its transfer.
What is a motherboard?
The main circuit board of a computer, housing the CPU, memory, and other essential components.
What is an output unit?
Devices and components used to output data from a computer system, such as monitors and printers.
What is pipelining in CPU performance?
A CPU performance enhancement technique where multiple instruction phases are overlapped to improve processing speed.
What is a program counter?
A register in the CPU that holds the address of the next instruction to be executed.
What is a register in a CPU?
A small, fast storage location within the CPU used to hold temporary data and instructions.
What is a sector in data storage?
The smallest unit of data storage on a disk, typically part of a track.
What is a track on a disk?
A circular path on the surface of a disk where data is magnetically recorded and read.
What is transfer rate?
The speed at which data can be transmitted from one device to another, usually measured in bits per second.
