Section 1 - Systems Architecture, Memory and Storage

Question 1

What is a computer system made up of?

Answer 1

• Hardware (physical component) and Software (Program that runs)

Question 2

What must a computer system always have?

Answer 2

A CPU, also known as a processor, an input and output device and primary storage, as well as additionally secondary storage.

Question 3

What is an input device?

Answer 3

Take real world data and convert it into a form to be stored on the computer

Question 4

Examples of Output Devices

Answer 4

• Computer Screen
• Actuator
• Speaker

Question 5

What is memory (primary storage)?

Answer 5

Used for holding instructions currently being executed and data that is being used

Question 6

What is secondary storage?

Answer 6

Hold stored data which a system may use to perform processing

Question 7

What did John Von Neumann develop?

Answer 7

Concept of stored program computer in 1940s

Question 8

What did Von Neumann Architecture use idea of?

Answer 8

Holding both programs and data in memory which would then be moved between memory unit and processor

Question 9

What is the CPU?

Answer 9

Central Processing Unit which executes programs and manages rest of hardware

Question 10

What is cache memory?

Answer 10

Very fast memory, close to CPU, that temporarily holds data that is likely needed again by processor in course of running program

Question 11

What is the Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle?

Answer 11

Concept in which when a program is run, the processor must execute one instruction at a time by fetching it from main memory and decoding and executing.

Question 12

What does the processor contain?

Answer 12

• Control Unit
• Arithmetic Logic Unit
• Registers

Question 13

What is the Control Unit?

Answer 13

Coordinates all activities in CPU and can control execution of instructions in correct sequence, decodes, regulates and sends and receives control signals.

Question 14

What are the functions of the ALU?

Answer 14

• Logic Operations : AND, OR, NOT
• Shift Operations : Shifting bits to left or right
• Arithmetic Operations : +, -, *, /

Question 15

What is a register?

Answer 15

Special, fast memory location within CPU used in execution of instructions

Question 16

What is the MAR?

Answer 16

Memory Address Register holds address of instruction fetched or stored

Question 17

What is the MDR?

Answer 17

Memory Data Register, Holds data of program instruction temporarily when fetched or sent from/to memory

Question 18

What is the PC?

Answer 18

Program Counter, Holds memory address of next instruction processed

Question 19

What is the ACC?

Answer 19

Accumulator, Special memory location which results of ALU operations are stored

Question 20

What affects CPU performance?

Answer 20

• Clock Speed
• Cache Size
• Number of Cores

Question 21

What is clock speed?

Answer 21

Speed at which processor operates in hertz, faster clock means more instructions are fetched, decoded and executed per second

Question 22

What is cache memory?

Answer 22

• Frequently used data is stored temporarily
• Use of a small amount of cache improves speed by preventing constant reading and writing from main memory causing it to go slower

Question 23

What is the pros of more cache memory?

Answer 23

More data and instructions can be held and made available quickly

Question 24

What is Level 1 Cache?

Answer 24

• Extremely fast but small

Question 25

What is Level 2?

Answer 25

Fairly fast and medium-sized

Question 26

What is the number of cores?

Answer 26

Where multiple instructions can be executed simultaneously due to parallel processing in a dual core causing it to perform twice as many operations per second

Question 27

What is an embedded system?

Answer 27

Small computer built into piece of equipment to perform specific function

Question 28

What are the two groups of memory/storage?

Answer 28

- Primary Storage (Memory) - Secondary Storage

Question 29

What is RAM?

Answer 29

Type of memory used as computer's main memory

Question 30

What is virtual memory?

Answer 30

When there is not enough main memory to store whole of program, which is used to store parts of program not currently being used and can be swapped when returned to

Question 31

What is non-volatile memory?

Answer 31

Designed for long term storage of files and won't be wiped

Question 32

is RAM volatile or non-volatile?

Answer 32

Volatile, can lose contents when computer turns off

Question 33

What is a bootstrap loader?

Answer 33

Small program that loads operating system

Question 34

What is ROM?

Answer 34

Read-Only Memory which cannot be written over once created and is non volatile meaning it will stay in computer and will start up when receiving power again

Question 35

What is secondary storage?

Answer 35

Long term storage, which refers to hard disk drives and solid state drives etc.

Question 36

What features must be considered for secondary storage?

Answer 36

Capacity -Space to store files Speed- How quickly can computer read or write data? Portability - Easily unplugged and carried away Durability - Easily damaged Reliability - How long will it last? Cost - Cost per GB

Question 37

What are magnetic devices?

Answer 37

Type of secondary storage which involvers reading with a moving head inside disk drive

Question 38

Why is magnetic disks slow?

Answer 38

Moving parts susceptible to damage and vulnerable to magnetic fields

Question 39

What are SSD?

Answer 39

Solid State Drives which have no moving parts and aren't affected by magnetic fields?

Question 40

Benefits of SSD compared to other storage?

Answer 40

- More reliable - Lighter - Faster access times, don't need to wait for head to spin - Lower power consumption