Computer Generations Overview
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What is the primary technology used in the first generation of computers?

  • Integrated Circuits
  • Transistors
  • Vacuum Tubes (correct)
  • Silicon Chips

    • What significant advancement occurred during the second generation of computers?

  • Adoption of vacuum tubes
  • Use of transistors (correct)
  • Development of microprocessors
  • Introduction of integrated circuits

    • Which of the following terms refers to the architecture developed by John von Neumann?

  • Integrated Circuit
  • Stored-program computer (correct)
  • Microprocessor architecture
  • Transistor logic

    • What is the main purpose of system software in computers?

    <p>Load programs and perform computations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which generation of computers was characterized by the invention of large-scale integration (LSI)?

    <p>Third Generation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many components does a Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) chip typically have?

    <p>10,000 – 1 million components</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the first general-purpose computer developed?

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

    What is a key feature of modern embedded computers compared to earlier generations?

    <p>Small size and high power efficiency</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of microprocessors does ARM Holdings produce?

    <p>RISC-based microprocessors</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an attribute of computer architecture visible to programmers?

    <p>Hardware implementation details</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primarily influences the organization of microcomputers according to the content?

    <p>Changes in technology</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'embedded system' refer to?

    <p>A dedicated function embedded within a device</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements is true regarding the distinction between architecture and organization?

    <p>Architecture can span many years, while organization changes with technology.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of ARM microprocessors?

    <p>Low-cost production</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the four basic functions performed by computers?

    <p>Data processing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the relationship of computer models to architecture and organization?

    <p>Computer models can differ in organization while having the same architecture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the clock rate for computer B given that it requires 1.2 times as many clock cycles as computer A?

    <p>4 GHz</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between execution time, clock cycles, and clock rate?

    <p>Execution time = Number of clock cycles / Clock rate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If computer A has a CPU clock cycles requirement of 20 billion cycles, how many clock cycles does computer B need?

    <p>24 billion cycles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does CPI represent in CPU performance analysis?

    <p>Cycles Per Instruction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the binary notation equivalent of 1Ki?

    <p>1,024</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about execution time is true?

    <p>It depends on the number of instructions and CPI.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If computer A has a clock cycle time of 250 ps and a CPI of 2.0, what is the execution time for a program with a certain number of instructions?

    <p>0.125 seconds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes a characteristic of CISC architecture?

    <p>Complete tasks using a smaller number of assembly lines</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of RISC architecture?

    <p>To utilize small and highly optimized set of instructions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which computer has a lower clock rate based on their specifications?

    <p>Computer B</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If the total number of instructions executed by both computers is equal, which computer would typically perform faster?

    <p>Computer A due to lower CPI.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many commands does the multiplication task take in a CISC architecture?

    <p>Three commands</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which processor architecture is exemplified by Intel X86?

    <p>Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What instruction is utilized in RISC architecture to multiply two numbers?

    <p>MUL.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about instruction sets is true for CISC?

    <p>Program compatibility over versions is ensured through additions to the instruction set</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What task does the 'LOAD' instruction perform in the context of multiplying numbers in RISC architecture?

    <p>It fetches data from a memory location into a register</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the formula for calculating execution time?

    <p>Execution time = Instruction count × CPI × Clock cycle time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following represents the concept of clock rate?

    <p>Clock Rate = 1 / Clock cycle time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a measure of CPU performance?

    <p>Instructions per second</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the average CPI if the instruction mix consists of values 1 (60%), 2 (18%), 4 (12%), and 8 (10%)?

    <p>2.24</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many millions of instructions per second (MIPS) would a CPU with a clock rate of 400 MHz and an average CPI of 2.24 execute for 2 million instructions?

    <p>446.4 MIPS</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In determining CPU performance, what is considered the key factor in addition to instruction count and clock cycle time?

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

    What does MIPS stand for in the context of CPU performance?

    <p>Millions of Instructions Per Second</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If the clock cycle time is 500 ps and the instruction count is 2 million, what is the execution time for a program?

    <p>0.6 seconds</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Computer Generations

    • First generation computers (1940s) used vacuum tubes for logic and memory.
      • The Colossus was the first computer (1943-1944).
      • The ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer) was the first general-purpose computer (1943-1946).

    Von-Neumann Architecture

    • Introduced in 1945 by John von Neumann.
    • Stored-program computer: Instructions are stored in the same memory as the program.
      • Components:
        • Memory unit: Stores instructions and data.
        • Arithmetic logic unit (ALU): Performs calculations and logic operations.
        • Control unit: Manages the flow of instructions.
        • Input–output (I/O): Facilitates communication with external devices.

    Second Generation Computers

    • Used transistors (1950s).
    • Transistors are solid-state silicon devices invented at Bell Labs (1947).
    • They offered significant advantages over vacuum tubes, including smaller size, lower power consumption, and greater reliability.

    Third Generation Computers

    • Marked by the invention of the integrated circuit (IC) (1958).
      • Microelectronics era.
      • The IC allowed for the miniaturization of electronic circuits, leading to more powerful and compact computers.

    Later Generations: Large-Scale Integration (LSI)

    • LSI (and later VLSI and ULSI) refer to the increasing density of components on integrated circuits.
    • LSI: 1,000 – 10,000 components per chip
    • VLSI: 10,000 – 1 million components per chip
    • ULSI: > 1 million components per chip

    Decimal and Binary Notations for Size Terms

    • Standardized to resolve ambiguity:
      • Ki = 210 (1,024)
      • Mi = 220 (1,048,576)
      • Gi = 230 (1,073,741,824)
      • K = 103 (1,000)
      • M = 106 (1,000,000)
      • G = 109 (1,000,000,000)

    CISC vs. RISC Architectures

    • Both represent different approaches to instruction set design.
    • CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer):
      • Uses fewer assembly lines and more complex instructions.
      • Example: Intel X86 Architecture.
    • RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer):
      • Uses a smaller, highly optimized set of instructions.
      • Example: ARM Architecture.

    Intel x86 Architecture (CISC)

    • Dominant architecture for PC computers.
    • Features:
      • Backward compatibility: Programs written for older versions can run on newer versions.
      • Over 500 instructions in its instruction set.

    ARM Architecture (RISC)

    • Developed by ARM Holdings.
    • Known for high-performance, low-power consumption, small size, and low cost.
    • Widely used in embedded systems.
    • It is estimated that billions of embedded computer systems are produced each year.

    Computer Architecture vs. Computer Organization

    • Architecture: Focuses on the parts visible to programmers, such as instruction sets, data types, I/O mechanisms, and memory addressing modes.
    • Organization: Deals with the hardware details transparent to the programmer, such as control signals, interfaces between components, and memory technology.

    Computer Functions

    • Data Processing: Processing diverse data formats, including numerical calculations and logical operations.
    • Data Storage: Storing data for future retrieval.
    • Data Movement: Transferring data between various components.
    • Control: Managing the execution of instructions and overall system operations.

    CPU Performance

    • Affected by Instruction Count, Clock Cycles per Instruction (CPI), and Clock Cycle Time.
    • Execution Time: Calculated as Instruction Count × CPI × Clock Cycle Time.
    • MIPS (Millions of Instructions Per Second): A common measure of performance.
    • Clock Rate: The reciprocal of Clock Cycle Time.

    Units of Measurement for CPU Performance

    • Execution Time: Time taken to complete a task, expressed in seconds.
    • Instruction Count: Number of instructions executed.
    • CPI (Clock Cycles per Instruction): Average number of clock cycles per instruction.
    • Clock Cycle Time: The duration of one clock cycle.

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    University of Glasgow CSC1104 Computer Architecture Lecture 1 PDF

    Description

    This quiz explores the evolution of computer generations, from the first generation using vacuum tubes to the introduction of the Von-Neumann architecture. Learn about key innovations like the Colossus and ENIAC, and how transistors revolutionized computing in the second generation. Test your knowledge on the foundational concepts of computer science.

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