CPU_Memory_Flashcards
(33 cards)
What are the main components of the CPU?
The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and the Control Unit (CU).
What is the function of the ALU?
Performs calculations and comparisons.
What role does the Control Unit (CU) play in the CPU?
Runs program instructions, performs fetch/execute cycle, and manages data transfer to/from registers and other components.
What is the purpose of CPU registers?
Small storage locations within the CPU for storing data, addresses, or instructions temporarily.
What are general-purpose registers used for?
Holds intermediate results or data values, such as loop counters.
What is the Program Counter (PC) register?
A special-purpose register that stores the address of the next instruction to execute.
What is stored in the Instruction Register (IR)?
The instruction currently being executed by the CPU.
What is the Memory Address Register (MAR)?
Holds the address in memory where data will be read or written.
What is the function of the Memory Data Register (MDR)?
Temporarily holds data that is being transferred to or from memory.
How does the fetch-execute cycle work?
The CPU fetches an instruction, decodes it, and then executes the operation.
What happens during the ‘fetch’ stage of the cycle?
The instruction is loaded from memory into the IR and prepared for execution.
What occurs in the ‘execute’ stage?
The CPU performs the operation specified by the instruction.
What is Random Access Memory (RAM)?
Volatile memory used for temporarily storing data and program instructions for CPU access.
What are DRAM and SRAM?
Types of RAM; DRAM is cheaper and slower, SRAM is faster and used for cache memory.
What is nonvolatile memory?
Memory that retains data when power is turned off, e.g., ROM and flash memory.
What is the function of Read-Only Memory (ROM)?
Stores firmware or BIOS software that doesn’t change over the system’s life.
What is flash memory?
A nonvolatile memory used for secondary storage in portable devices.
How is memory addressing limited?
By the number of bits in the MAR; for example, 8 bits allow for 256 unique addresses.
What is the primary role of the MAR?
To specify the memory location for data access or storage.
What does the MDR do in a store operation?
Holds data that will be written to the memory address specified by MAR.
What is the purpose of the accumulator in the CPU?
To store intermediate arithmetic and logic operation results.
What are ‘bit manipulation instructions’?
Operations that alter specific bits within a register, often used for flag conditions.
What is a stack?
A memory structure that operates on a Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) principle.
What is a ‘stack instruction’?
An instruction used to add or remove data from the stack.
