SECTION 4: Hardware and Software

Question 1

What is hardware?

Answer 1

The physical components of a computer system.

Question 2

What is software?

Answer 2

The programs and operating systems that run on a computer.

Question 3

Give 2 examples of hardware.

Answer 3

CPU, hard drive.

Question 4

Give 2 examples of software.

Answer 4

Web browser, operating system.

Question 5

What is Boolean logic?

Answer 5

A system of logic using two values: TRUE (1) and FALSE (0).

Question 6

What is an AND gate?

Answer 6

Outputs 1 only if both inputs are 1.

Question 7

What is an OR gate?

Answer 7

Outputs 1 if either or both inputs are 1.

Question 8

What is a NOT gate?

Answer 8

Outputs the opposite of the input (inverts).

Question 9

What are truth tables used for?

Answer 9

To show all possible input/output combinations of logic gates.

Question 10

What is an operating system (OS)?

Answer 10

Software that manages hardware and provides a user interface.

Question 11

What are the 4 key functions of an OS?

Answer 11

File management, memory management, input/output control, user interface.

Question 12

What is file management in an OS?

Answer 12

Organising files and folders and managing permissions.

Question 13

What is memory management in an OS?

Answer 13

Allocating RAM to programs and freeing it when done.

Question 14

What is utility software?

Answer 14

Software that maintains or improves the performance of a computer.

Question 15

Give 3 examples of utility programs.

Answer 15

Encryption software, defragmentation, backup software.

Question 16

What is application software?

Answer 16

Software designed to help the user do specific tasks.

Question 17

Give examples of application software.

Answer 17

Word processor, spreadsheet, web browser.

Question 18

What are low-level languages?

Answer 18

Languages that are close to machine code (e.g. assembly language).

Question 19

What are high-level languages?

Answer 19

Languages that are more human-readable and portable (e.g. Python).

Question 20

What are the advantages of high-level languages?

Answer 20

Easier to read, write, and debug; portable.

Question 21

What are translators?

Answer 21

Programs that convert high-level or low-level code into machine code.

Question 22

What are the 3 types of translators?

Answer 22

Compiler, interpreter, assembler.

Question 23

What does a compiler do?

Answer 23

Translates entire program to machine code before running.

Question 24

What does an interpreter do?

Answer 24

Translates and runs code line by line.

Question 25

What does an assembler do?

Answer 25

Converts assembly language into machine code.

Question 26

What is the purpose of the CPU?

Answer 26

To execute instructions and process data.

Question 27

What is the role of the CU (Control Unit)?

Answer 27

Manages the execution of instructions.

Question 28

What is the ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)?

Answer 28

Performs calculations and logical operations.

Question 29

What are registers?

Answer 29

Small, fast memory locations inside the CPU.

Question 30

What is the function of the Program Counter?

Answer 30

Holds the address of the next instruction.

Question 31

What is the function of the Accumulator?

Answer 31

Stores results from the ALU.

Question 32

What affects CPU performance?

Answer 32

Clock speed, number of cores, cache size.

Question 33

What is clock speed?

Answer 33

The number of instructions the CPU can process per second (Hz).

Question 34

What is cache memory?

Answer 34

Very fast memory close to the CPU, used to store frequently used data.

Question 35

What is a core in a CPU?

Answer 35

An independent processing unit within the CPU.

Question 36

What is primary memory?

Answer 36

Memory directly accessed by the CPU (e.g. RAM, ROM).

Question 37

What is RAM?

Answer 37

Volatile memory used to store currently running programs.

Question 38

What is ROM?

Answer 38

Non-volatile memory used to store the BIOS.

Question 39

What is secondary storage?

Answer 39

Non-volatile storage for long-term data saving (e.g. HDD, SSD, optical disc).

Question 40

What are advantages of SSD over HDD?

Answer 40

Faster access speed, no moving parts, more durable.

Question 41

What is cloud storage?

Answer 41

Saving data on remote servers accessed via the internet.

Question 42

Give 2 advantages of cloud storage.

Answer 42

Access data from anywhere, automatic backup.

Question 43

Give 2 disadvantages of cloud storage.

Answer 43

Needs internet connection, security/privacy risks.

Question 44

What is an embedded system?

Answer 44

A computer built into another device to control it (e.g. washing machine, microwave).

Question 45

What are characteristics of embedded systems?

Answer 45

Purpose-built, limited functionality, low power and cost.

Question 46

What is Von Neumann architecture?

Answer 46

A CPU design where data and instructions share memory and are processed one at a time.

Question 47

Name 3 key components of Von Neumann architecture.

Answer 47

CU, ALU, memory (with shared data/instructions), and registers.

Question 48

What happens in the fetch stage?

Answer 48

Instruction is fetched from memory using the Program Counter.

Question 49

What happens in the decode stage?

Answer 49

CU interprets the instruction.

Question 50

What happens in the execute stage?

Answer 50

CPU carries out the instruction (e.g. calculation or data move).

Question 51

What does an XOR gate do?

Answer 51

Outputs 1 if inputs are different (1,0 or 0,1).

Question 52

What is a device driver?

Answer 52

Software that helps the OS communicate with hardware.

Question 53

Why are device drivers important?

Answer 53

Without them, the OS can’t control external or internal hardware.

Question 54

What is multitasking?

Answer 54

Running multiple programs at once by sharing CPU time.

Question 55

What is multithreading?

Answer 55

Splitting a task into smaller parts (threads) that can run at the same time.

Question 56

What is a bus?

Answer 56

A set of wires for transferring data between CPU and memory.

Question 57

Name 3 types of buses.

Answer 57

Data bus, Address bus, Control bus.

Question 58

Name 3 levels of cache.

Answer 58

L1 (small, fast), L2 (larger, slower), L3 (shared between cores).

Question 59

Why is cache memory useful?

Answer 59

Speeds up processing by storing frequently used data.

Question 60

Name 3 types of secondary storage.

Answer 60

Magnetic (HDD), Optical (CD/DVD), Solid State (SSD).

Question 61

Advantage of SSD over HDD?

Answer 61

Faster, no moving parts, more durable.

Question 62

Give 1 advantage of cloud storage.

Answer 62

Access from anywhere with internet.

Question 63

Give 1 disadvantage of cloud storage.

Answer 63

Need internet and possible security risks

Question 64

What is an embedded system?

Answer 64

A computer inside a device with one fixed task.

Question 65

Give 2 examples of embedded systems.

Answer 65

Washing machine, car engine system.

Question 66

2 features of embedded systems?

Answer 66

Low cost, limited function.