COMPUTER SCIENCE A

Cards (36)

  • A computer is a general purpose device that can be programmed to carry out a set of arithmetic or logical operations
  • A computer consists of at least one processing element, typically a central processing unit (CPU) and some form of memory
  • Computer architecture defines basic attributes of hardware components and their interconnections to achieve specified goals in terms of functions and performance
  • Computer organization involves the design and physical arrangement of hardware units to work together in an orderly manner to achieve the goals specified in the architecture
  • Computer architecture comprises logical functions like instruction sets, registers, data types, and addressing modes
  • Computer organization consists of physical units like circuit design of peripherals and addresses
  • Examples of architecture attributes include the instruction set, number of bits to represent data types, I/O mechanisms, and memory addressing techniques
  • Organization attributes include hardware details transparent to the programmer, such as control signals, interfaces between the computer and peripherals, and memory technology used
  • Computer structure refers to the interrelation of components, while computer function refers to the operation of each individual component as part of the structure
  • Functions of a computer include input, storage, processing, output, and control
  • A computer consists of components like processor, memory, and I/O that communicate through a bus
  • Central processing unit (CPU) is responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations in a computer system
  • Main memory, or RAM, provides temporary storage for data and programs actively used by the CPU
  • I/O devices enable communication between the computer and the external world for input and output of data
  • System bus connects different components within a computer system to enable data, information, and control signal flow
  • Data bus transports data and instructions between components bidirectionally
  • Address bus sends address signals from the CPU to Main Memory in a single direction
  • Control bus sends control signals between components bidirectionally
  • The history of computing began with the abacus, followed by the development of programmable digital computers like Mark I
  • Computer generations evolved from vacuum tube-based first generation to integrated circuits in the third generation, and VLSI circuits in the fourth generation
  • Fifth generation computers use ULSI technology, parallel processing hardware, and AI software
  • Programming languages are designed to communicate instructions to a machine
  • Used to create programs that control the behavior of a machine
  • Types of programming languages:
    • High level
    • Low level
  • High level programming languages are more user-friendly and closer to human language
  • Low level programming languages are languages that the machine understands
  • Types of low level programming languages:
    • Assembly language:
    • Next lowest programming language to machine language
    • Specific to particular computer architecture
    • Source code is converted into executable machine code by an assembler
  • Machine language:
    • Lowest level of computer language consisting of binary codes
    • Produced by compiling high-level source code for a specific processor
    • Software developers do not need to manipulate the machine code except for systems' programmers
  • Writing an assembly language program requires knowledge of PC hardware and details of various instruction sets
  • PC hardware components:
    • Processor
    • Memory
    • I/O
  • Connected through a bus, a communication pathway transferring data between the processor, memory, and external devices
  • The processor:
    • Responsible for executing instructions and processing data
    • Different processors vary in speed and capacity of memory, registers, and data bus
  • System bus:
    • Wires on the motherboard connecting the CPU to other components
  • Data bus:
    • Transports data and instructions between components
    • Bi-directional
  • Address bus:
    • Sends address signals from the CPU to Main Memory
    • Single-directional
  • Control bus:
    • Sends control signals between components
    • Examples: clock signals, interrupt request
    • Bi-directional