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Flashcards · 9210 · Topic 4

Computer systems flashcards

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Topic 4: Computer systems

What do the ALU and the control unit do?
ALU: carries out calculations and logical comparisons. Control unit: fetches and decodes instructions and directs the other parts of the CPU.
What are registers and cache?
Registers: very small, very fast storage locations inside the CPU. Cache: a small amount of fast memory holding frequently used data and instructions, so the CPU waits less for main memory.
What is the von Neumann architecture?
Program instructions and data are both stored in main memory, and the processor fetches both from there.
What happens in the fetch-decode-execute cycle?
Fetch: the next instruction (address in the program counter) is copied from memory into the CPU. Decode: the control unit works out what it means. Execute: it is carried out. The cycle repeats.
How do clock speed, number of cores and cache size affect CPU performance?
Higher clock speed: more cycles, so more instructions, per second. More cores: several instructions processed at once, if the program can be split. Larger cache: fewer waits for main memory.
What is the difference between RAM and ROM?
RAM: volatile, read and write, holds the programs and data in use. ROM: non-volatile, read only, holds the start-up (boot) instructions.
Compare magnetic, optical and solid-state storage.
Magnetic (hard disk): large capacity, cheap per gigabyte, moving parts. Optical (CD, DVD, Blu-ray): cheap and portable, low capacity, slower. Solid-state (SSD, flash): fast, no moving parts, robust, but more expensive per gigabyte.
What is an embedded system?
A computer built into a larger device to do one dedicated task, such as the controller in a washing machine or microwave.
What are the main functions of an operating system?
Managing memory, files, the processor (so several programs can run), peripherals and security, and providing a user interface.
What do the NOT, AND and OR gates do?
NOT: inverts its single input. AND: output 1 only when both inputs are 1. OR: output 1 when at least one input is 1.

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