Topic 4 - Computer Systems

Question 1

What is a computer?

Answer 1

A programmable device that takes data and outputs information

Question 2

What are general purpose computers?

Answer 2

Devices with a variety of uses, the user chooses the task

Question 3

What are examples of general purpose computers?

Answer 3

PC
i-pad
Laptop

Question 4

What are embedded systems?

Answer 4

Device that only do a limited number of things

Question 5

What are examples of embedded systems?

Answer 5

Thermostat
Coffee machine
Vacuum cleaner

Question 6

What is the CPU?

Answer 6

Central Processing Unit
It controls everything

Question 7

What does RAM stand for?

Answer 7

Random Access Memory

Question 8

What does ROM stand for?

Answer 8

Read Only Memory

Question 9

What does RAM store?

Answer 9

Instructions and data currently in use

Question 10

What does ROM store?

Answer 10

Permanent instructions - ie. BIOS

Question 11

What has more storage RAM or ROM?

Answer 11

RAM

Question 12

Is RAM or ROM volitile?

Answer 12

RAM

Question 13

What are RAM and ROM examples of?

Answer 13

Main Memory

Question 14

What is a hard drive?

Answer 14

A main storage device

Question 15

What does the hard drive store?

Answer 15

Files
Operating system

Question 16

What is BIOS?

Answer 16

The basic code for controlling hardware

Question 17

What do buses do?

Answer 17

Carry data around the CPU

Question 18

What do clocks do?

Answer 18

Regulates FDE cycles per second

Question 19

What does the Control Unit do?

Answer 19

Controls other components

Question 20

What does the Arithmetic Logic Unit do?

Answer 20

Mathematical operations

Question 21

What are registers?

Answer 21

Fast access memory locations within the CPU

Question 22

Explain the execute cycle

Answer 22

The control unit tells the other components what to do

Question 23

What does the cache store?

Answer 23

Frequently used instructions

Question 24

Explain the cache’s levels

Answer 24

L1- Fastest & least storage
L2 - In between
L3 -Slowest & most storage

Question 25

How does solid-state storage work?

Answer 25

Uses electricity and stores data in 0's and 1's

Question 26

How does optical storage work?

Answer 26

It uses a laser to read and write Pits and lands represent 0's and 1's

Question 27

How does magnetic storage work?

Answer 27

Uses magnets to read data

Question 28

What are the advantages of solid-state storage?

Answer 28

High speed Durable - no moving parts Uses less electricity - no moving parts Potable

Question 29

What are the disadvantages of solid-state storage?

Answer 29

Expensive

Question 30

What are the advantages of optical storage?

Answer 30

Cheap Portable

Question 31

What are the disadvantages of optical storage?

Answer 31

Not durable Small capacity

Question 32

What are the advantages of magnetic storage?

Answer 32

Large capacity Cheap

Question 33

What are the disadvantages of magnetic storage?

Answer 33

Requires power Not durable - moving parts

Question 34

What are examples of solid-state storage?

Answer 34

USB SSD

Question 35

What are examples of optical storage?

Answer 35

CD DVD Blu-ray

Question 36

What are examples of magnetic storage?

Answer 36

Floppy disk Hard disk drive

Question 37

What is the symbol for the AND logic gate

Answer 37

P = A.B

Question 38

What is the symbol for the OR logic gate

Answer 38

P = A+B

Question 39

What is cloud storage?

Answer 39

A way to store and access files through the internet

Question 40

How is data stored in cloud storage?

Answer 40

In hard drives in server farms

Question 41

What are the advantages of cloud storage?

Answer 41

Capacity can expand Files can be accessed anywhere You can easily share files Centralised back-ups

Question 42

What are the disadvantages of cloud storage?

Answer 42

Relies on stable internet connection Slower than secondary storage Security risk Data in hands of providers

Question 43

How can you improve PC performance?

Answer 43

Increase clock speed - More FDE cycles per second Bigger cache - Slower to fetch from RAM More cores - More programs can be run at once

Question 44

What are examples of high-level languages?

Answer 44

Python

Question 45

What are examples of low-level languages?

Answer 45

Assembly languages Machine code

Question 46

What is high-level languages?

Answer 46

A language used to write computer programs that ahs to be translated before it is executed

Question 47

What is machine code?

Answer 47

Program code in binary that the computer understands

Question 48

What is assembly language?

Answer 48

A code that uses mnemonics/ abbreviation

Question 49

What are advantages of high-level languages?

Answer 49

Easy to learn Easy to understand

Question 50

What are advantages of low-level languages?

Answer 50

Give complete control over the components Uses less memory Executes faster

Question 51

What does an assembler do?

Answer 51

Translates assembly language into machine code

Question 52

When is a compiler used?

Answer 52

On frequently run software

Question 53

When is a interpreter used?

Answer 53

During program development

Question 54

What does a compiler do?

Answer 54

Translates the whole program at once

Question 55

What does a interpreter do?

Answer 55

Translates one line at a time

Question 56

What are the advantages of a compiler?

Answer 56

Faster Cannot see source code

Question 57

What are the disadvantages of a Interpreter?

Answer 57

Slower Can see the source code

Question 58

What are examples of Application software?

Answer 58

Web browsers Photo-editing tools Video-editing tools Spreadsheets

Question 59

What are examples of System software?

Answer 59

Operating system Utility software

Question 60

What does the operating system do?

Answer 60

Controls hardware Provides user interface Manages memory Manages applications Manages security Manages processes

Question 61

What does Utility software do?

Answer 61

Encryption software Defragmentation software Data compression software Back-up software