Computer Abstractions and Technology Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Which factors must computer designers and programmers consider to participate in future advancements?

  • Only power and scalability
  • Only performance and cost
  • Design aesthetics and user interface
  • Power, reliability, cost of ownership, and scalability (correct)

What does the chapter identify as a significant shift in the computing landscape?

  • Increased reliance on desktop computers
  • The emergence of Cloud computing and warehouse scale computers (correct)
  • A decline in the use of personal mobile devices
  • Advancements exclusively in traditional server technologies

What is emphasized about the best designs in computing?

  • They balance multiple factors according to market needs (correct)
  • They prioritize aesthetics over technical specifications
  • They ignore cost considerations
  • They focus solely on performance metrics

How does the cover of the new edition connect to its first edition?

<p>It cleverly links to the concept of the post-PC era (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which trend is described regarding the replacement of desktop computers?

<p>Personal mobile devices and tablets are replacing desktop computers (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following topics is NOT included in the Table of Contents?

<p>Artificial Intelligence Innovations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the 'Eight Great Ideas in Computer Architecture' mentioned?

<p>Virtual Memory (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which section focuses on the transition from uniprocessors to multiprocessors?

<p>The Sea Change (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these contributors is affiliated with NVIDIA?

<p>John Nickolls (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the section on 'Fallacies and Pitfalls' likely address?

<p>Common misconceptions in computer architecture (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which university is NOT mentioned as a contributor in the content provided?

<p>University of Arizona (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely focus of the section 'Historical Perspective and Further Reading'?

<p>Foundational concepts and key readings (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which contributor is associated with SiFive, Inc.?

<p>Andrew S. Waterman (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one method mentioned for improving matrix-vector multiplication performance in C programs?

<p>Subword parallelism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors contributes to the rate of I/O operations?

<p>Programming language (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which chapter is loop unrolling discussed for enhancing performance?

<p>Chapter 4 (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What performance improvement factor is gained through cache blocking?

<p>2.0 to 2.5 (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of Check Yourself sections?

<p>To facilitate self-assessment of major concepts (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which technique is used to exploit multicore hardware for performance boosts?

<p>Parallel for loops in OpenMP (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What underlying concept is leveraged to improve performance by a factor of 200?

<p>Understanding processor architecture (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the performance increase factor through instruction-level parallelism via loop unrolling achieve?

<p>2.3 (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the layered triangle icon represent regarding memory hierarchy?

<p>The speed, cost, and size of memory (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do redundant components enhance dependability in computing systems?

<p>By providing backup if a component fails (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes systems software?

<p>Software providing essential commonly useful services (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What analogy is used to describe redundancy in computing systems?

<p>A tractor-trailer with dual tires (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is represented in the hierarchical layers of software?

<p>The structure of applications and systems software (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of a typical application like a word processor?

<p>It consists of millions of lines of code (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does abstraction play in computing?

<p>It translates complex functions into simple instructions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is crucial for understanding software performance?

<p>Hardware performance and software translation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which layer sits in the innermost part of the hierarchical software model?

<p>Hardware (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do hardware designers play in program performance?

<p>They develop techniques to improve performance and energy efficiency (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant shift in processing is discussed?

<p>From sequential processing to parallel processing (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What technology is mentioned as fueling the computer revolution?

<p>Integrated circuits (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can programmers affect energy efficiency?

<p>Through the optimization of their code (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the processor within a computer?

<p>To execute programs by performing calculations and operations (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component is described as the board that contains the processor and memory?

<p>Logic printed circuit board (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of multicore microprocessors?

<p>To enable parallel processing (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do the gyroscope and accelerometer in the device allow it to recognize?

<p>Six-axis motion (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for evaluating performance and energy?

<p>Understanding the relationship between hardware and software (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the first chapter primarily introduce?

<p>Basic ideas, definitions, and major components of software and hardware (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are integrated circuits commonly referred to as?

<p>Microchips (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

At what clock rate do the ARM processors in the A5 package operate?

<p>1 GHz (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the tiny rectangle below the logic board contain?

<p>Wireless communication chip (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components is NOT found in the upper left corner of the case?

<p>Wireless chip (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the full name of the CPU as commonly referred to?

<p>Central Processor Unit (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Abstraction in computer architecture

The act of simplifying complexity by using abstraction layers, hiding low-level details while providing a high-level view.

Eight Great Ideas in Computer Architecture

A set of fundamental concepts that have shaped modern computer architecture, including design principles like instruction set architecture and memory hierarchy.

Below your program

The hardware components and their interconnections that lie beneath the software and are responsible for executing instructions.

Under the Covers

The physical components of a computer, such as the processor, memory, and input/output devices.

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Technologies for Building Processors and Memory

The technologies used to build processors and memory, including transistors, circuits, and memory cells.

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Performance

A measure of how fast a computer system can perform tasks, often measured in instructions per second or operations per second.

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The Power Wall

A constraint on processor design where increased performance leads to increased power consumption, ultimately limiting performance gains.

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The Switch from Uniprocessors to Multiprocessors

A major shift in computer architecture where multiple processors are used together to provide increased performance.

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Post-PC Era

The era where personal mobile devices (PMDs) and tablets replace desktop computers, and cloud computing with warehouse scale computers (WSCs) replace traditional servers.

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Personal Mobile Device (PMD)

A type of computer designed for personal use, such as smartphones, tablets, and e-readers.

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Warehouse Scale Computers (WSCs)

Giant computer clusters used for massive data processing and storage, often utilized for cloud services.

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Scalability

The ability of a system to handle increasing workloads or demands.

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Abstraction

A fundamental principle in computer architecture that simplifies complexity by hiding lower-level details, providing a high-level view of the system.

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Factors affecting program performance

The performance of a program is impacted by various factors such as the programming language used, the efficiency of the compiler, the architecture of the processor, and the speed of the I/O system.

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Processor performance

The number of instructions a processor can execute per second is a key factor in determining the speed of a program.

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Processor architecture

The design of a processor can significantly impact its performance, influencing factors like the number of instructions it can execute simultaneously and the efficiency of its data access.

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I/O system performance

The efficiency of transferring data between the CPU and memory, as well as between the system and external devices, plays a crucial role in program performance.

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Compiler optimization

The compiler translates source code into machine instructions that the processor can understand. A more efficient compiler can generate optimized code, leading to improved performance.

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Programming language choice

The programming language used can impact performance by affecting code readability, runtime efficiency, and the level of control over hardware resources.

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Instruction-level parallelism

Instruction-level parallelism enables a processor to execute multiple instructions concurrently, leading to a significant performance boost.

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Data-level parallelism

Data-level parallelism leverages the ability of a processor to operate on multiple data elements simultaneously, enhancing program performance.

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Dependability via Redundancy

The idea that computer systems can be made more dependable by including extra components that can take over if one component fails.

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Software Layers

A hierarchical structure of software layers that translate high-level instructions into simple computer instructions, hiding complexity from users.

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Systems Software

Software that provides essential services to other software, like operating systems, compilers, loaders, and assemblers.

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Memory Hierarchy

The idea that memory is organized in a hierarchy, with faster but smaller memories at the top (like cache) and slower but larger memories at the bottom (like hard drives).

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Application Software

The outermost layer of software, representing the applications that users interact with, such as word processors, web browsers, and games.

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Hardware

Represents the physical components of a computer, including the processor, memory, and input/output devices.

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Integrated Circuit

A device that combines dozens to millions of transistors to create complex functions within a computer.

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Processor

The brain of the computer, responsible for executing instructions, performing arithmetic operations, and controlling other devices.

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ARM processor

A type of processor named for its use in the early Apple iPad.

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Dual-core ARM processor

Two ARM processors working together to enhance processing capabilities.

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Clock Rate

The speed at which a processor operates, measured in cycles per second.

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Logic Printed Circuit Board

The small boards that contain microchips and other electronic components, found in various devices like smartphones and tablets.

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Accelerometer

A device that converts motion into electrical signals, allowing the iPad to recognize tilting or rotation.

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Gyroscope

A device that measures rotational forces, helping the iPad determine its orientation in space.

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Study Notes

Computer Abstractions and Technology

  • Post-PC era: Personal mobile devices (PMDs) and tablets replace desktops, Cloud computing and warehouse-scale computers (WSCs) replace traditional servers.
  • Understanding hardware/software interface is critical for writing software and improving program performance.
  • Program performance depends on the original program, software translation, and hardware effectiveness.
  • Hardware designers improve performance through techniques like subword parallelism, instruction-level parallelism, memory hierarchy optimization, and thread-level parallelism.
  • Energy efficiency is a crucial design concern, requiring consideration by both hardware designers and programmers.
  • Multicore microprocessors (multiple processors on a single chip) are replacing uniprocessors.
  • Computer architects have developed foundational "great ideas".
  • Software layers (applications, systems software, hardware) are hierarchical.

Hardware/Software Interface

  • Systems software encompasses operating systems, compilers, loaders, and assemblers.
  • Software translates high-level operations into simple computer instructions.
  • Applications rely on sophisticated software libraries.
  • Hardware executes primitive low-level instructions. -
  • Embedded processors outnumber PC processors.

Performance Evaluation

  • Performance depends on many factors beyond speed.
  • Cost, power, reliability, scalability are important.
  • Balancing these factors is key for optimal design.
  • Program performance depends on factors like programming language, compiler, computer architecture, processor/memory system, and I/O system.

Integrated Circuits (Chips)

  • Integrated circuits (ICs) combine many transistors on a single chip.
  • Chips are the foundation of modern computing technology, driving cost/performance improvements.
  • The microprocessor (CPU) is the active component of a computer, following program instructions.

Dependability

  • Redundancy is crucial for dependability in computer systems.
  • Redundant components for fail-over and failure detection is necessary since physical devices can fail, ensuring systems work as reliably as possible.

Memory Hierarchy

  • The memory hierarchy is represented by a layered triangle.
  • Layers closer to the top are faster, more expensive per bit.
  • Wider layers mean larger memory capacity.

Abstraction

  • Abstraction is a key concept, involving increasingly complex applications relying on sophisticated software libraries interpreted/translated into simple instructions.

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Computer Organization and Design: RISC-V Edition PDF

Description

Test your knowledge on the transition from desktops to personal mobile devices and the impact of cloud computing. Explore the critical concepts of the hardware/software interface and the importance of program performance. Dive into the innovations in hardware design and the evolution of multicore microprocessors in modern computing.

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