Internal hardware components

• What is the role of a computer's processor?


  It executes program instructions to run applications.
• What are the two types of main memory in a computer?

  RAM (random access memory) and ROM (read-only memory).
• Why is main memory faster than secondary storage?


  Because it allows quicker access to frequently used data.
• What is a bus in a computer system?


  A series of parallel wires that connects internal components.
• What does the width of a bus refer to?


  The number of parallel wires in the bus.
• What are the three types of buses in a computer?

  Address bus, data bus, and control bus.
• What is the function of the address bus?


  It transports memory addresses for data retrieval or sending.
• How does increasing the width of the address bus affect a computer?


  It increases the range of addressable memory.
• What happens when a single wire is added to the address bus?


  It doubles the number of addressable memory locations.
• What is the purpose of the data bus?


  To send data and instructions to and from components.
• What does the control bus carry?


  Control signals that regulate the operation of the computer.
• What are I/O controllers?


  Hardware that controls communication between the processor and external devices.
• What is the main difference between Harvard and von Neumann architectures?


  Harvard uses separate memory for instructions and data, while von Neumann uses the same memory.
• In which architecture are instructions and data stored together?

  Von Neumann architecture.
• Why do systems based on von Neumann architecture often perform worse?


  Because they share the same buses for fetching instructions and data.
• Where is von Neumann architecture commonly used?


  In everyday general-purpose computer systems like laptops and smartphones.
• What are the characteristics of Harvard architecture?


  • Uses two separate main memory locations for instructions and data.
  • Allows different characteristics for each memory type (e.g., read-only for instructions).
  • Commonly used in embedded systems like digital signal processing.
• What are the characteristics of von Neumann architecture?


  • Stores both instructions and data in the same memory.
  • Often performs worse due to shared buses for fetching instructions and data.
  • Used in general-purpose computer systems like laptops and smartphones.
• The CPU is the brain of the computer, responsible for executing instructions.
• CPU speed refers to how fast it can execute instructions.
• Clock speed measures the number of cycles per second that the processor performs.
• The CPU consists of an ALU, control unit, registers, and cache.
• The control unit manages the flow of information between the CPU's various parts and other devices.
• The ALU performs arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, bitwise operators, and logical operations.
• GHz = Megahertz x 10^3
• Clock speed measures the number of cycles per second that the processor completes.
• Control unit coordinates all activities within the CPU by decoding instructions from RAM or ROM and sending them to other parts of the system.
• ALU stands for Arithmetic Logic Unit and performs arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, bitwise operators, and logical operations.
• RAM (Random Access Memory) temporarily holds programs and data being processed by the CPU.
• Registers store frequently accessed information and allow quick access without having to retrieve data from RAM.
• Cache stores recently accessed data from RAM for faster access by the CPU.
• Registers store frequently used data or instructions.
• RAM (Random Access Memory) is used by the operating system and applications to store data and programs currently being processed.
• Cache memory stores frequently accessed data or instructions close to the CPU for faster access.
• Registers are small storage areas within the CPU where data and instructions are temporarily stored during processing.