Computer Architecture and Memory Concepts
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What is the primary function of the Address Bus?

  • Stores binary information temporarily
  • Carries data to and from the CPU
  • Controls the execution of data transfer
  • Carries address information between the processor and memory (correct)

    • Which type of memory is considered non-volatile?

  • Cache Memory
  • Read Only Memory (ROM) (correct)
  • Dynamic RAM
  • Static RAM

    • Which statement is true regarding RAM?

  • It stores permanent data
  • It retains information when the power is off
  • It is primarily used for long-term storage
  • It is faster than secondary memory (correct)

    • How many types of primary memory are mentioned?

    <p>Two</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes the Control Bus in the bus system?

    <p>It carries signals and commands from the CPU.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is true about Dynamic RAM?

    <p>It requires refresh cycles to maintain data.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the structure of a memory unit defined by?

    <p>The number of words and the bits in each word</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of memory is typically used to start up a computer?

    <p>Read Only Memory (ROM)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Central Processing Unit (CPU) primarily do?

    <p>Perform data processing operations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the main components of Von-Neumann Architecture?

    <p>Control Unit, Memory Unit, Input Unit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which unit within the CPU is responsible for logical operations?

    <p>Arithmetic and Logic Unit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What concept underlies the Von-Neumann Architecture?

    <p>Stored-program computer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component of the CPU is responsible for controlling other parts of the computer?

    <p>Control Unit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary purpose of Buses in a computer system?

    <p>Facilitate data transfer between registers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes System Software?

    <p>Software that manages and controls computer hardware</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following operations is NOT performed by the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)?

    <p>User input processing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of memory is also known as non-volatile memory?

    <p>Auxiliary Memory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of cache memory in a computer system?

    <p>Hold temporary data and frequently used programs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does EEPROM stand for?

    <p>Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is true regarding the CPU registers?

    <p>They are the fastest type of memory in the memory hierarchy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which memory type is typically slower than primary memory and cannot be directly accessed by the CPU?

    <p>Secondary Memory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of magnetic tapes?

    <p>They are composed of a thin magnetizable coating on plastic film.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the memory hierarchy, what level is the main memory classified as?

    <p>Level 2</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key feature of PROM?

    <p>It is programmed only once after manufacture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of system software?

    <p>To act as an interface between application software and the system</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of application software?

    <p>Web-browser</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true about machine language?

    <p>It is directly understood by the computer without translation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary advantage of using assembly language over machine language?

    <p>Assembly language uses a short, English-like representation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of translator converts high-level language directly to machine language?

    <p>Compiler</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main challenge of programming in assembly language?

    <p>It uses symbolic representation which can be confusing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which language is considered a low-level language?

    <p>Assembly Language</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement best describes an interpreter?

    <p>It translates high-level programming language to low-level language line by line.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does it mean for a program written in high-level language to be machine-independent?

    <p>It can be easily ported to different computer systems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes application software?

    <p>It is created to fulfill specific user requests</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic feature of low-level languages?

    <p>They are closer to the hardware of a computer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines an algorithm?

    <p>An algorithm is a set of finite rules for problem-solving.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major drawback of using machine language?

    <p>It is difficult to write and modify because of binary code</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of an assembler in programming?

    <p>To translate assembly language to machine language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Terminal symbol represent in a flowchart?

    <p>It signifies the start, stop, and halt of program logic.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements describes a decision symbol in a flowchart?

    <p>It indicates where branching based on a decision occurs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following languages is an example of a high-level programming language?

    <p>Python</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the number of machine code lines generated from high-level programming compare to assembly language?

    <p>High-level code generates more lines of machine code.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In an algorithm to check if a number is prime, what is initialized to 2?

    <p>The loop counter for checking divisibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What operation is performed in Step 4 of the algorithm that checks whether a number is odd?

    <p>Check the remainder when the number is divided by 2.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Input/Output symbol in a flowchart represent?

    <p>It denotes functions involving I/O devices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the algorithm for printing even numbers from 1 to n, what is initially assigned to the variable 'i'?

    <p>2</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the flow lines in a flowchart?

    <p>To show the flow of operation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the algorithm for checking voting eligibility, what value is compared with 0 to determine eligibility?

    <p>The person's age.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Module 1

    • This module covers computer architecture, programming languages, and structured programming.
    • It includes: basics of computer architecture (Von-Neumann), types of programming languages (system and application software, compilers, interpreters, high-level and low-level languages), and introduction to structured programming (algorithm, flowcharts, pseudo-code).

    Computer

    • A computer is an electronic device that processes data from users, performs calculations and operations, and produces desired output.
    • Hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer.
    • Software is a set of instructions that guides the computer's operations.
    • Data is the input provided to the computer.
    • Users are individuals who interact with the computer.

    Basics of Computer Architecture (Von-Neumann)

    • Proposed in 1945, Von-Neumann architecture is a fundamental computer design.
    • It consists of a Control Unit, Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), registers, and input/output units.
    • This architecture stores instructions, data, and program data in the same memory.
    • Data is stored on the computer's hard drive.

    Components of Von-Neumann Model

    • Central Processing Unit (CPU)
    • Memory Unit
    • Input Unit
    • Output Unit

    Central Processing Unit (CPU)

    • The CPU performs the majority of data processing operations in a computer.
    • Key components include the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), Control Unit (CU), and various registers.
    • The ALU handles arithmetic and logical operations.
    • The CU manages the execution of computer programs.
    • Registers are temporary storage locations within the CPU, holding data and intermediate results.

    Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

    • The ALU executes arithmetic and logic operations.
    • Arithmetic operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, etc.
    • Logic operations include AND, OR, NOT, etc.

    Control Unit (CU)

    • The CU controls the flow of operations within a computer system.
    • It manages the data movement and actions of other components.

    CPU Registers

    • MAR (Memory Address Register): Holds the memory address of data to be accessed.
    • MDR (Memory Data Register): Holds data being transferred to or from memory.
    • AC (Accumulator): Stores intermediate arithmetic and logic results.
    • PC (Program Counter): Contains the address of the next instruction to be executed.
    • CIR (Current Instruction Register): Contains the current instruction being processed.

    Buses

    • Used to share information among CPU registers.
    • A bus consists of common lines (one for each bit of a register) enabling data transfer one bit at a time.
    • Von-Neumann architecture uses three major bus systems for data transfer (Address, Data, and Control buses).

    Types of Buses

    • Address Bus: Carries the address of data between the processor and memory.
    • Data Bus: Carries data between the processor, memory unit, and input/output devices.
    • Control Bus: Carries signals/commands from the CPU.

    Memory Unit

    • Stores binary data grouped in words.
    • The structure of a memory unit is defined by the number of words and bits in each word.
    • Classified into: Primary Memory and Secondary Memory

    Primary Memory

    • Also known as main memory, used to store data and instructions during computer operations.
    • Primarily utilizes semiconductor technology and is faster and less costly than secondary memory.
    • Types include Read-Only Memory (ROM) and Random Access Memory (RAM).

    Random Access Memory (RAM)

    • A volatile memory.
    • Data is lost when power is turned off.
    • It's used for temporarily storing programs or data for processing by the processor.
    • Types include Static RAM (SRAM) and Dynamic RAM (DRAM).

    Read-Only Memory (ROM)

    • Non-volatile memory, meaning data is retained even without power.
    • It holds essential instructions for the computer's operation, often containing the initial boot-up instructions.
    • Different types include PROM, EPROM, and EEPROM.

    Secondary Memory

    • Also known as auxiliary memory, it stores a large quantity of data that is permanent.
    • It's slower but less expensive than primary memory.
    • Data is not accessed directly by the CPU; it must first be transferred to primary memory.
    • Examples include magnetic disks (hard drives), magnetic tapes, optical disks (CDs, DVDs), and USB drives.

    Memory Hierarchy

    • Arranges storage devices based on access speed and cost.
    • CPU registers have the highest speed and lowest capacity.
    • Secondary memory (hard drives, tapes) has the lowest speed and highest capacity.
    • Intermediate levels like cache and primary memory provide a balance between speed and capacity.

    Registers

    • Smallest memory location in the CPU.
    • Typically SRAM (static RAM).
    • Holds data words (64 or 128 bits).
    • Crucial for processing, including program counters, status word registers, and accumulators.

    Cache Memory

    • Temporary storage between RAM and the CPU, holding frequently accessed data and instructions.
    • Improves processing speed as the CPU accesses data from cache more quickly than from RAM.

    Main Memory

    • One central storage unit in a computer system.
    • Used to store programs and data during computer operations.
    • Relatively large and fast compared to secondary memory.

    Auxiliary Memory

    • Lowest cost and highest capacity storage in a computer system.
    • Primarily used for storing large amounts of data for long-term storage or when not immediately needed.
    • Includes magnetic disks (hard drives), magnetic tapes, optical disks (CDs, DVDs).

    Types of Software

    • Software is a set of instructions or commands guiding users on what to do.
      • System Software
        • Interface between application and system, managing system resources & aiding application software operation.
        • Also a general-purpose type of software.
      • Application Software
        • Developed for specific tasks upon user request.
        • Uses high-level languages (C, C++, Java).
        • Examples include MS Office, web browsers, etc.

    Programming Languages

    • Programs are written in high or low-level languages depending on the task.
      • High-level languages are closer to human language for easier development.
      • Low-level languages (machine language) or assembly language are machine-dependent and difficult to maintain.
      • Machine Language is the only language the CPU directly understands.

    System Translators

    • Convert programs from one programming language to another.
      • Compiler — converts an entire program into machine code at once.
      • Interpreter — translates and executes one line of code at a time.
      • Assembler — converts assembly language to machine language.

    Algorithm and Flowchart

    • Algorithm is a step-by-step procedure for solving a problem.
    • Algorithm characteristics include:
      • Clear and Unambiguous
      • Well-Defined Input/Output
      • Finite-nes
      • Feasible
      • Language Independent

    Flowchart Symbols

    • Terminal: Start and Stop
    • Input/Output: Data entry/display
    • Processing: Calculations or operations
    • Decisions: Choices (e.g., if/then statements)
    • Flow Lines: Indicate direction of program flow
    • Connectors: Linking segments of a flowchart.

    Examples of Algorithms (and Flowcharts):

    • Reading and displaying two numbers
    • Finding the largest of three numbers
    • Calculating the sum of n natural numbers.
    • Calculating the factorial of a number.
    • Creating a Multiplication Table
    • Fibonacci Series
    • Various other calculations as outlined.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on computer architecture and memory systems with this quiz. Explore questions related to the functions of the address bus, various types of memory, and key components of Von-Neumann architecture. Ideal for students in computer science and information technology courses.

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