Comp

• D.St.P.O.Sp

  DATA

  RAM: Can't hold data without power

  ROM: Can hold data without power

  Cache-Memory: CPU reads RAM data after reading Cache-Memory
• D.St.P.O.Sp

  STORAGE

  RAM: Temporary medium of storage

  ROM: Permanent medium of storage

  Cache-Memory: (Smalller & Fast) memory component in the computer
• D.St.P.O.Sp

  POWER

  RAM: Volatile, loses information if power is GONE

  ROM: Nonvolatile, does not require constant source of power

  Cache-Memory: Volatile Memory
• D.St.P.O.Sp

  OPERATION

  RAM: Chip is used in the normal operation of a computer

  ROM: Primarily used in the startup process of a computer or boot-strapping

  Cache-Memory: CPU needs to access memory, the cache is examined
• D.St.P.O.Sp

  SPEED

  RAM: Writing data to RAM is faster

  ROM: Writing to ROM is much slower as compared to RAM

  Cache-Memory: It is faster than RAM
• Consequences of Moore's Law:

  1. Cost of computer logic and memory circuitry has fallen
  2. Electrical path length is shortened, increasing operating speed
  3. Computer becomes smaller and more convenient to use in a variety of environments
  4. Reduction in power and cooling requirements
  5. Fewer interchip connections
• How many functions of a computer?

  4
• Name all the functions of a computer:

  (P.C.M.S)

  Data Processing

  Control Unit

  Data Movement

  Data Storage
• Data Processing: May take a wide variety of forms and the range of processing requirements is broad.
• Data Movement:

  • Input/Output (I/O): When data are received from or delivered to a device (peripheral) that is directly connected to the computer
  • Data communications: When data are moved over longer distances, to or from a remote device
• Control Unit: Manages the computer's resources and orchestrates the performance of its functional parts in response to instructions
• Structural Components Of The Computer includes:

  • Central Processing Unit (CPU): Controls the operation of the computer and performs its data processing functions
  • Main Memory: Stores data
  • Input/Output Devices (I/O): Moves data between the computer and its external environment
  • System Interconnection (System Bus): Mechanism that provides communication among CPU, Main Memory and I/O
• What is Assemblers?

  A utility program that converts source code programs from assembly language into machine language
• What is Linkers?

  A utility program that combines individual files created by an assembler into a single executable program
• What is Assembly Language?

  • Programming language that is one step away from machine language
  • Each assembly language instructions is translated into one machine instruction by the assembler.
  • Hardware dependent, with a different assembly language for each type of processor
• Disadvantages of using assembly language rather than High-Level Language:

  (DT, DV,P,M)

  1. Development Time: Writing code in assembly language takes much longer than writing in a high-level language.
  2. Debugging and Verifying: Assembly code is more difficult to debug and verify because there are more possibilities of errors than in high-level code.
  3. Portability: Assembly code is platform-specific. Porting to a different platform is difficult.
  4. Maintainability: Assembly code is more difficult to modify and maintain. Thorough documentation and a consistent programming style are needed.
• System Calls (Calling Convention)

  • Assembler makes use of the x86 INT instructions to make system calls

  6 registers that store the arguments of the system call used:

  • EBX
  • ECX
  • EDX
  • ESI
  • EDI
  • EDP
• 2 Types of Data Storage

  • Short-term
  • Long-term

  Memory refers to the location of short-term data, while Storage refers to the location of data stored on a long-term basis.
• Microprocessors:

  • A small computer chip inside a CPU
  • Performs all the basic calculations and instructions for a computer
  • Use only if you require robust processing power for complex or unpredictable computing task
• Microcontrollers:

  • Small computer with its own RAM, ROM I/O System embedded on a single chip.
  • Basic computing unit inside smart electronics devices like washing machine and thermostat
  • Use when you're building a control system with a narrowly defined scope
• Explain why each of the following MOV statements are invalid:

  mov ds, 45: immediate move to DS is not permitted

  mov esi, wVal: size mismatch

  mov eip, dVal: EIP cannot be the destination

  mov 25, bVal: immediate value cannot be destination

  mov bVal2, bVal: memory-to-memory move to not permitted