Computer Systems

• What is hardware in a computer system?

  Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer.
• What is software in a computer system?

  Software consists of the programs and applications that run on a computer.
• What does the AND Boolean operator require for a statement to be true?

  Both conditions must be met for the statement to be true.
• What does the OR Boolean operator require for a statement to be true?

  At least one condition must be met for the statement to be true.
• What does the NOT Boolean operator do?

  It inverts the result of a statement.
• What is the function of the XOR Boolean operator?

  XOR outputs 1 only if one input is 1 and the other is 0.
• What is a trace table used for?

  • Records values used within an algorithm at each stage
  • Helps in troubleshooting
  • Tests algorithms for logic errors
  • Simulates steps of the algorithm
• What is the final output of the trace table example?

  The final output is 4.
• In the trace table example, what is the initial value of Y?

  Y starts with a value of 1.
• Name an example of an operating system.

  Microsoft Windows
• What is the primary function of an operating system?

  It provides a foundation for user interaction and application execution.
• What are the key functions of an operating system?

  • Manages hardware and functions
  • Handles file management
  • Manages processes
  • Manages peripheral devices
  • Manages user accounts
• What is file management in an operating system?

  It allows users to find and manage data stored by the computer.
• How is data organized in file management?

  Data is stored in files, within folders, within drives.
• What is process management in an operating system?

  It allows users to run applications and manages their execution.
• What is multiprogramming?

  It enables several programs to run at the same time.
• What does the scheduler do in process management?

  It times the different processes for execution.
• What is the purpose of peripheral management?

  It manages input and output between peripherals and processes.
• What are device drivers used for?

  They communicate with peripheral devices.
• What is user management in an operating system?

  User management allows individual users to be created and deleted.
• What is the role of access levels in user management?

  Access levels control user access to systems for security.
• What is machine code?

  Machine code is the binary code that processors understand and execute directly.
• Why is machine code difficult to learn?

  It consists only of 0s and 1s and is complex to write and debug.
• What is assembly language?

  Assembly language uses mnemonics and is easier for humans to understand than machine code.
• What is the relationship between assembly language and machine code?

  Assembly language has a 1:1 relationship with machine code.
• What are the advantages of low-level programming languages?

  • More tasks are possible
  • More flexible
  • Direct instruction to the processor
  • More efficient than high-level languages
• What are the disadvantages of low-level programming languages?

  • Difficult to write and understand
  • Time-consuming to produce code
  • Harder to debug
  • Specific to a single processor
• What is a high-level programming language?

  High-level programming languages are easier to learn, write, and debug.
• What must be done to code written in high-level languages before execution?

  It must be translated to machine code.
• What are the advantages of high-level programming languages?

  • Widely understood and used
  • Easier to learn and code
  • Quicker to produce usable code
  • More support and resources available
• What are the disadvantages of high-level programming languages?

  • Less flexible
  • Must be translated before execution
  • More time-consuming to produce code
• What is the function of a compiler?

  A compiler translates the whole code into machine code at once.
• What is the role of an interpreter?

  An interpreter translates and executes source code line by line.
• What does an assembler do?

  An assembler translates assembly language into machine code.
• What is the fetch-decode-execute cycle?

  1. Copy memory address to MAR
  2. Increment program counter
  3. Send address to memory
  4. Fetch instruction to MDR
  5. Copy instruction to CIR
  6. Decode and execute instruction
  7. Repeat cycle
• What is an embedded system?

  An embedded system is a small computer designed to control a specific device.
• What are the advantages of embedded systems?

  • Cheaper to design and build
  • Require less power
  • Less susceptible to viruses
• What are the disadvantages of embedded systems?

  • Limited in function
  • Requires rewriting for added functionality
  • Needs specialist skills to build and update
• What does the CPU stand for?

  CPU stands for Central Processing Unit.
• What is the role of the Control Unit (CU) in the CPU?

  The CU fetches, decodes, and manages the execution of instructions.