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What are the four main subsystems of a computer system?
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* Central processing unit (CPU* Main memory* Systems interconnection* Input/output (I/O)
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What is cache?
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It is memory that sits between the CPU and main memory. It is at least 10x faster than main memory. It holds a subset of memory.
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Who as John Von Neumann?
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He devised the concept of the programmed computer, whereby instructions were stored in main memory and then executed by the CPU. This concept allowed for the design of much more general purpose computers which could solve a wider range of problems using software.
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What are some common input and output devices?
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Input - keyboard, mouse, webcamOutput - Monitor, printer
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What describes what operations CPU instructions will perform?
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Op code
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What is a client-server architecture?
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Duties are shared between client and server. Web apps are an example. Browser does client side processing, server serves web content, processes server side apps, and handles storage.
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What are the building blocks of a system (the process flow)?
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Inputs > Process > Outputs
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What is a cache hit ratio?
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How often the CPU makes calls to memory and only has to go to the cache. This ratio is often as high as 90%.
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What are the four CPU subsystems?
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* Registers* Arithmetic logic unit (ALU)* Control Unit* Internal CPU interconnections
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What are the five main types of application architectures?
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* host-based* client-based* client-server* mutitier* peer-to-peer
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What are the two main types of software?
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system software and application software.
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What is a host-based architecture?
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Host-based architectures put all the processing on a single computer and provide a very simple text-based interface to a dumb terminal.
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What is client-based architecture?
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The client machine does the majority of the processing and server is mainly used for storage.
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What is a multi-tier architecture?
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This spreads the load between the client and then a number of servers.
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Give examples of systems software and application software.
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System software = O/S like Windows, Linux. Application software = Word, Excel, Firefox.
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What does an operating system do?
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* Runs and controls the hardware directly* Provides for efficient use of hardware resources* Provides an interface for applications programs* Provides an interface for users* Manages network functions* Provides a secure and safe environment
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What is peer-to-peer architecture?
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Many clients with few or no servers. File sharing on the internet such as torrents is an example.
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What is the CU?
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A Control Unit - it sequences the operation of the CPU. It causes the CPU to execute an instruction cycle over and over.
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What are the 6 parts of the instruction cycle?
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* Fetch the instruction from main memory* Decode the instruction (determine what the instruction will do)* Fetch 0 or more operands* Perform (execute) the instruction* Store the results of the instruction* Advance the program counter to the next instruction
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What is a system?
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A regularly interacting or interdependent group of items forming a unified whole.
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What qualities comprise a subsystem?
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* clear boundary * specific function * well defined collection of inputs and outputs
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What is a program counter (PC) register?
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This register contains the memory address of the next instruction in memory to be executed. The contents of this register are normally incremented from one memory address to the next adjacent address as a program is executed.
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What is a CPU register?
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A temporary storage location within the CPU.
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What type of system was the ENIAC?
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A hard-wired system.
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What does ALU stand for and what does it do?
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Arithmetic Logic Unit - it does arithmetic.
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What are the three main functions of a bus?
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* Control - specifies how the bus will be used* Address - source and destination* Data - parts of bus where data flows
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What are some of the types of memory?
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RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory. Read only, read/write, mostly read/write. Dynamic, static, double data rate RAM...
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What is the main function of a CPU?
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To execute machine language instructions.
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How does the cache function?
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The CPU makes requests to the cache before going to main memory, because it is faster. The cache tries to determine what the CPU will ask for by holding frequently accessed memory objects.
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What does the op code operate upon?
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Operands
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