Stuff

Question 1

What is the purpose of the CPU?

Answer 1

The purpose of the central processing unit is to execute all the stored program instructions

Question 2

What is the the function of the CPU as fetch and execute instructions stored in memory?

Answer 2

During the fetch stage the instructions are transferred from the RAM into the CPU and then the instructions are carried out by the control unit.

Question 3

What does the ALU do?

Answer 3

The Arithmetic Logic Unit carries out all the mathematical and logical operations in the CPU.

Question 4

What doe the control unit do?

Answer 4

The control Unit coordinates the actions of the computer. Sends out control signals to other parts of the CPU and to other components of the computer.

Question 5

What does cache memory do?

Answer 5

The cache memory is a high speed storage mechanism which is used to store data which is frequently used.

Question 6

What is clock speed?

Answer 6

Usually measured in gigahertz (GHz). The CPU carries out one program instruction in for each cycle. A significant factor that affects the performance of the CPU.

Question 7

How does the clock speed affect the performance of the CPU?

Answer 7

If for each cycle a program can be carried out, if the cycle happens slower then the amount of instructions processed is lower however if the cycle is quicker then the amount of instructions processed is more.

Question 8

How does cache affect the performance of the CPU?

Answer 8

The more cache the computer has the more data and instructions the can be held in the cache and made available very quickly.

Question 9

How does the number of cores affect the performance of the CPU?

Answer 9

The more cores a computer has, the more tasks and instruction the computer can carry out and execute.

Question 10

What is an embedded system?

Answer 10

Is as computer system built into another device in order to control it. It usually has one purpose or function.

Question 11

Examples of an embedded systems:

Answer 11

Washing Machine, Digital Camera and Microwave oven.

Question 12

What is RAM?

Answer 12

RAM is the random access memory

Question 13

What is ROM?

Answer 13

ROM is the read only memory

Question 14

What are the characteristics of RAM?

Answer 14

• Volatile - Data is lost when the power is turned off
• Stores user data/programs/part of operating system which is currently in use
• Memory can be written to or read from

Question 15

What are the characteristics of ROM?

Answer 15

• Non-Volatile - Date is NOT lost when power is lost
• Used to store BIOS/bootstrap loader which is required at start-up of the computer
• Memory can only be read from and not written to

Question 16

What is virtual memory and what is the need for it?

Answer 16

Is an area on the Hard Disk Drive or solid-state drive that is used as temporary RAM when the actual RAM is full.

Question 17

What is secondary storage?

Answer 17

Storage which holds more data than the main memory however it has slower access speeds compared to the main memory (also known as the RAM).

Question 18

Common types of secondary storage:

Answer 18

Optical, Magnetic, Solid State

Question 19

What are the characteristics that need to be considered when buying a secondary storage device?

Answer 19

Durability, Speed, capacity, Reliability, Portability and Cost