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18 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is the purpose of a computer |
The purpose of a computer is to take data, process it and then output it. |
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What is hardware |
Hardware is the physical components which make up a computer system. |
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What is software |
Software is the programs or applications that a computer system runs |
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What is an embedded system |
Embedded systems are computer systems built into other devices. |
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What are the advantages of a embedded system |
Easier to design Cheaper to produce More efficient |
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What does the CPU do |
It processes all of the data and instructions that make the system wprk |
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What factors effect the processing power of a CPU |
Clock speed Cores Cache size |
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What does the control unit do |
The control unit is in overall control of the CPU. Executes instructions through fetch-execute cycle Controls time and date Controls flow of data inside CPU |
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What is the ALU |
The ALU does all calculations It performs both logic and arithmetic operations. It contains the accumulator. |
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What is the Cache |
Cache is very fast memory in the CPU It stores regularly used data so that the CPU can access it quickly. Cache is low capacity and expensive compare to RAM. |
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What are registers |
Registers temporarily hold tiny bits of data needed by the CPU. They are super-quickl to read/write to. |
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What is the Von Neumann architecture |
Describes a system where the CPU runs programs stored in memory. Programs consist of instructions and data which are stored in memory addresses. |
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Describe fetch in the fetch execute cycle |
Copy memory address from program counter to MAR Copy instructions stored in MAR address to MDR Increment program counter by one |
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Decode in fetch-execute cycle |
The instruction in the MDR is decided by the CU. The CU then prepares for the next step. |
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Execute in fetch-execute cycle |
The instruction is performed. This could be loading data or writing etc. |
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What is RAM |
RAM is used as the main memory in a computer. It can be read and written to. RAM is volatile. |
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What is stored on RAM |
All data, files and programs are stored while they're being used. The OS is moved onto the RAM when booted up. |
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Features of RAM |
Volatile. Faster than secondary storage Slower than cache |
