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Questions and Answers

What does a compiler do with high-level language expressions?

Translates them into assembly language statements. (correct)

Converts them into binary instructions without an assembler.

Translates them into machine code directly.

Executes them without translation.

Which programming language was specifically designed for scientific computation?

Cobol

Fortran (correct)

Lisp

Python

Which benefit of high-level programming languages enhances programmer productivity?

They require more lines of code to express ideas.

They use cryptic symbols for programming.

They allow the use of a natural language. (correct)

They are more difficult to learn than assembly languages.

What is a key advantage of high-level programming languages over assembly language?

They require fewer lines to express an idea. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of an assembler in the programming process?

To translate assembly language into binary instructions. Signup and view all the answers

How do high-level programming languages improve code portability?

By allowing compilers and assemblers to translate them to any computer's binary instructions. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following options is NOT a high-level programming language mentioned?

Machine Code Signup and view all the answers

What allows high-level programming languages to be designed according to their intended use?

Their development is based on specific user needs. Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary functions performed by the underlying hardware of a computer?

Inputting, outputting, processing, and storing data. Signup and view all the answers

What components are classified as input devices?

Microphone and keyboard. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about output devices is true?

They send computation results to the user. Signup and view all the answers

What represents a significant point emphasized in the book?

The Big Picture items. Signup and view all the answers

Which components are sometimes combined and referred to as the processor?

Datapath and control. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following devices can provide both input and output to a computer?

Wireless network. Signup and view all the answers

What are the five classic components of a computer?

Input, output, memory, datapath, and control. Signup and view all the answers

The organization of computer components is described as being independent of what factor?

Hardware technology. Signup and view all the answers

What is one major advantage of networked computers?

Ability to share I/O devices Signup and view all the answers

Which type of memory is flash memory compared to DRAM?

Cheaper and slower Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical access time range for magnetic disks?

5 to 20 milliseconds Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary method for very long-distance communication between computers?

Optical fibers Signup and view all the answers

How does the cost per gigabyte of flash memory compare to that of magnetic disks in 2020?

Flash memory is more expensive Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a local area network (LAN)?

A network connecting computers in the same building Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic defines Ethernet networks?

They can be up to a kilometer long and transfer data at high speeds. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant factor in increasing the cost of communication over networks?

Distance information travels Signup and view all the answers

What role does control play in a computer's organization?

It sends signals to determine operations of various components. Signup and view all the answers

How does a liquid crystal display (LCD) control the transmission of light?

By controlling the alignment of liquid crystal molecules to bend light. Signup and view all the answers

What technology do most modern LCDs utilize for enhanced image quality?

Active matrix display. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'pixel' refer to in the context of an LCD?

The smallest unit of an image represented in a matrix of bits. Signup and view all the answers

What determines the intensity of color components in a color active matrix LCD?

A red-green-blue mask associated with each pixel. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components primarily interacts with memory to process instructions?

The processor. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to liquid crystal molecules in an LCD when a current is applied?

They straighten out and stop bending light. Signup and view all the answers

What type of display technology is characterized by low-power and thin form factor?

Liquid crystal display (LCD). Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary uses of a local area network (LAN)?

To carry data within a single building Signup and view all the answers

Which technology allowed networks to experience a significant increase in capacity?

Optical communications technology Signup and view all the answers

What was the maximum capacity of the first standardized local area network technology developed about 40 years ago?

10 million bits per second Signup and view all the answers

How has networking technology impacted computing in the last 30 years?

It has decreased the importance of physical data transfer methods Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a network that extends over large distances?

Wide area network (WAN) Signup and view all the answers

What has facilitated the shift towards wireless technology in networking?

The impact of the Internet of Things Signup and view all the answers

What was a common method of transferring large amounts of data in the 1970s?

Physically mailing magnetic tapes Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is typically associated with local area networks today compared to the past?

Higher capacity and fewer connected devices Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Computer Abstractions and Technology

Compilers translate high-level language expressions, such as "A + B," into assembly language statements, like "add A, B," which are further converted to binary instructions.
High-level programming languages allow more natural expression, resembling English and algebra, making code more readable compared to assembly languages.
Specific languages are designed for distinct purposes: Fortran for scientific computation, COBOL for business processes, and Lisp for symbol manipulation.
Domain-specific languages cater to niche fields, such as programming for machine learning.
Productivity benefits arise from fewer lines of code needed to express ideas, making high-level languages advantageous.
Programs written in high-level languages are computer-independent due to the existence of compilers and assemblers that translate them across hardware.

Underlying Computer Hardware

Computers perform four basic functions: input, output, processing, and storage.
Input devices take in data (e.g., keyboards, microphones), while output devices convey results (e.g., displays, speakers).
Some devices serve both functions, offering versatile input/output capabilities (e.g., wireless networks).
The five classic components of a computer include input, output, memory, datapath, and control, which may be combined as the processor.
Each chapter highlights the five components to provide context and organization in computer architecture.

I/O Device Overview

Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are thin, low-power displays used in mobile devices; they control light transmission through liquid polymers.
Active matrix displays use tiny transistor switches for precise control of individual pixels, enhancing image quality.
Networks facilitate communication, resource sharing, and remote access, revolutionizing computer usability.
Hard disks are a type of nonvolatile secondary memory with access times of 5 to 20 milliseconds, costing about 0.01to0.01 to 0.01to0.02 per gigabyte in 2020.

Networking Concepts

Flash memory is nonvolatile, cheaper, and slower than DRAM, with faster access times than magnetic disks.
Ethernet networks, capable of up to 100 gigabits per second over distances of a kilometer, are commonly used for local area networking within buildings.
Wide Area Networks (WANs) can span continents, are primarily based on optical fibers, and provide the backbone for the Internet.
Local Area Networks (LANs) have vastly improved in capacity from 10 million bits per second to 1-100 gigabits per second over the past 40 years.
The evolution of networking technology has dramatically increased access and efficiency, making it central to contemporary computing and the information revolution.
The post-PC era has seen the rise of wireless technology, enhancing connectivity and interaction among devices.

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Description

Explore the foundations of computer abstractions in this quiz focused on Chapter 1. Learn about the role of compilers in translating high-level language expressions to assembly language and ultimately to binary code. Test your understanding of these essential concepts in computer science.

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