Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the main purpose of the RAM in a computer?
What is the main purpose of the RAM in a computer?
The Arithmetic & Logic Unit (ALU) is responsible for fetching instructions and managing memory.
The Arithmetic & Logic Unit (ALU) is responsible for fetching instructions and managing memory.
False
What does the program counter hold during the fetch-decode-execute cycle?
What does the program counter hold during the fetch-decode-execute cycle?
The memory address of the next instruction to be fetched.
The instruction in the MDR is decoded by the ________ unit.
The instruction in the MDR is decoded by the ________ unit.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following CPU components with their functions:
Match the following CPU components with their functions:
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary purpose of utility software?
What is the primary purpose of utility software?
Signup and view all the answers
Incremental backups involve backing up all files at once.
Incremental backups involve backing up all files at once.
Signup and view all the answers
What type of malware is designed to gain access to a computer system for malicious reasons?
What type of malware is designed to gain access to a computer system for malicious reasons?
Signup and view all the answers
Anti-virus software compares files to a database of known ______.
Anti-virus software compares files to a database of known ______.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following backup types with their definitions:
Match the following backup types with their definitions:
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of an operating system?
What is the primary function of an operating system?
Signup and view all the answers
A single user operating system can handle multiple users at the same time.
A single user operating system can handle multiple users at the same time.
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of time slices in multitasking operating systems?
What is the role of time slices in multitasking operating systems?
Signup and view all the answers
If RAM runs out of capacity, the OS uses the _____ to load additional software applications.
If RAM runs out of capacity, the OS uses the _____ to load additional software applications.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary function of anti-spyware software?
What is the primary function of anti-spyware software?
Signup and view all the answers
Firewalls are used to allow unauthorized access to a computer network.
Firewalls are used to allow unauthorized access to a computer network.
Signup and view all the answers
What does encryption do to protect files?
What does encryption do to protect files?
Signup and view all the answers
A __________ disk organizes files so they are stored together and improves performance.
A __________ disk organizes files so they are stored together and improves performance.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following computer maintenance activities with their descriptions:
Match the following computer maintenance activities with their descriptions:
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Von Neuman Architecture
- The control unit sends signals, manages components and decodes instructions
- The arithmetic and logic unit calculates operations and manages logic
- Registers are small, very fast memory locations
- Program counter holds the memory address of the next instruction to be fetched
- Accumulator holds the results of calculations
- Memory Data Register is a temporary store of data fetched from or written to RAM
- Memory Address Register holds the address currently being read (being used)
Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle
- Fetch: Copy the memory address from the program counter to the MAR
- Fetch: Copy the instruction stored in the MAR address to the MDR
- Fetch: Increment the program counter by one
- Decode: The instruction in the MDR is decoded by the control unit
- Execute: The instruction is performed and the result is stored in the accumulator
Operating System Functions
- Systems software controls hardware and software
- Application software allows users to perform tasks
- The operating system (OS) provides a way for users to interact with computers and run applications, hiding hardware complexities
- Device drivers control hardware and connect peripherals to the OS
- A single-user OS deals with one person and one computer at a time
Multitasking OS
- Memory management achieves multitasking by managing memory
- Running multiple programs simultaneously can cause interference in RAM
- Memory is divided into fixed-size blocks called "pages"
- Each page is stored in a page table, assigning different time slices to each page
- The CPU uses time slices to schedule when each task is processed
- Time slicing allows the CPU to switch between different programs and tasks, creating the illusion of multiple processes running simultaneously
Virtual Memory
- If RAM runs out of space, the hard disk drive is used like RAM to load additional software applications
Utilities
- Utilities provide extra functionality to make it easier to use
- They help maintain computer systems
- They tend to run in the background
- The OS uses utilities to keep the system healthy
- Utilities can be used directly by the user if needed
- Utility programs support the OS with file management - file compression, file transfer, file organization
File Backups
- A full backup copies everything at once, taking a long time
- An incremental backup copies files recently created or edited
Malware
- Malware is software designed to gain access into a computer system for malicious reasons
- It can disrupt how a computer functions or collect data
- It can be detected using anti-malware programs (searching for files for malware using a malware database) or with heuristics (a set of rules to detect malicious behavior)
Anti-virus Software
- Scans the system for infected files (which could contain a virus that damages the PC)
- Works by scanning all files and comparing them to a database of known viruses
- If a malicious file is detected, it's moved to the quarantine zone
Anti-spyware software
- Spyware can be benign (e.g., pop-up ads) or malicious (e.g., recording keystrokes)
- Anti-spyware software removes this
Firewalls
- Prevents unauthorized access to the computer or network through the internet
- Uses filtering to prevent access to inappropriate websites from a network
Encryption
- Protects files; if any files are corrupted or stolen, they cannot be read without a key
Disk Organization
- Primarily refers to the hard disk
- A fragmented file occurs when files do not fit consecutively on the disk and must be split up
- A fragmented disk slows down processing time, decreasing performance
- A defragmented disk organizes files so they are stored together, which increases processing time and performance
System Maintenance
- Provides detailed feedback on how the computer is working through diagnostics
System Cleanup Utilities
- Scans the computer for leftover files (no longer needed) and automatically removes them to free up hard drive space
System Formatting
- Ensures that all files can be read in the correct format
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz covers the fundamentals of Von Neumann Architecture, including the components involved in the fetch-decode-execute cycle. You will also explore the functions of operating systems and how they interact with hardware and software. Test your knowledge on these critical concepts in computing!
