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Questions and Answers
What is the primary technology used in the first generation of computers?
What is the primary technology used in the first generation of computers?
What significant advancement occurred during the second generation of computers?
What significant advancement occurred during the second generation of computers?
Which of the following terms refers to the architecture developed by John von Neumann?
Which of the following terms refers to the architecture developed by John von Neumann?
What is the main purpose of system software in computers?
What is the main purpose of system software in computers?
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Which generation of computers was characterized by the invention of large-scale integration (LSI)?
Which generation of computers was characterized by the invention of large-scale integration (LSI)?
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How many components does a Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) chip typically have?
How many components does a Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) chip typically have?
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What was the first general-purpose computer developed?
What was the first general-purpose computer developed?
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What is a key feature of modern embedded computers compared to earlier generations?
What is a key feature of modern embedded computers compared to earlier generations?
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What type of microprocessors does ARM Holdings produce?
What type of microprocessors does ARM Holdings produce?
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Which of the following is NOT an attribute of computer architecture visible to programmers?
Which of the following is NOT an attribute of computer architecture visible to programmers?
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What primarily influences the organization of microcomputers according to the content?
What primarily influences the organization of microcomputers according to the content?
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What does the term 'embedded system' refer to?
What does the term 'embedded system' refer to?
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Which of the following statements is true regarding the distinction between architecture and organization?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the distinction between architecture and organization?
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Which of the following is a characteristic of ARM microprocessors?
Which of the following is a characteristic of ARM microprocessors?
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What is one of the four basic functions performed by computers?
What is one of the four basic functions performed by computers?
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Which of the following best describes the relationship of computer models to architecture and organization?
Which of the following best describes the relationship of computer models to architecture and organization?
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What is the clock rate for computer B given that it requires 1.2 times as many clock cycles as computer A?
What is the clock rate for computer B given that it requires 1.2 times as many clock cycles as computer A?
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Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between execution time, clock cycles, and clock rate?
Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between execution time, clock cycles, and clock rate?
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If computer A has a CPU clock cycles requirement of 20 billion cycles, how many clock cycles does computer B need?
If computer A has a CPU clock cycles requirement of 20 billion cycles, how many clock cycles does computer B need?
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What does CPI represent in CPU performance analysis?
What does CPI represent in CPU performance analysis?
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What is the binary notation equivalent of 1Ki?
What is the binary notation equivalent of 1Ki?
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Which of the following statements about execution time is true?
Which of the following statements about execution time is true?
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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?
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?
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Which of the following correctly describes a characteristic of CISC architecture?
Which of the following correctly describes a characteristic of CISC architecture?
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What is the main purpose of RISC architecture?
What is the main purpose of RISC architecture?
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Which computer has a lower clock rate based on their specifications?
Which computer has a lower clock rate based on their specifications?
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If the total number of instructions executed by both computers is equal, which computer would typically perform faster?
If the total number of instructions executed by both computers is equal, which computer would typically perform faster?
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How many commands does the multiplication task take in a CISC architecture?
How many commands does the multiplication task take in a CISC architecture?
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Which processor architecture is exemplified by Intel X86?
Which processor architecture is exemplified by Intel X86?
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What instruction is utilized in RISC architecture to multiply two numbers?
What instruction is utilized in RISC architecture to multiply two numbers?
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Which of the following statements about instruction sets is true for CISC?
Which of the following statements about instruction sets is true for CISC?
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What task does the 'LOAD' instruction perform in the context of multiplying numbers in RISC architecture?
What task does the 'LOAD' instruction perform in the context of multiplying numbers in RISC architecture?
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What is the formula for calculating execution time?
What is the formula for calculating execution time?
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Which of the following represents the concept of clock rate?
Which of the following represents the concept of clock rate?
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Which of the following is a measure of CPU performance?
Which of the following is a measure of CPU performance?
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What is the average CPI if the instruction mix consists of values 1 (60%), 2 (18%), 4 (12%), and 8 (10%)?
What is the average CPI if the instruction mix consists of values 1 (60%), 2 (18%), 4 (12%), and 8 (10%)?
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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?
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?
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In determining CPU performance, what is considered the key factor in addition to instruction count and clock cycle time?
In determining CPU performance, what is considered the key factor in addition to instruction count and clock cycle time?
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What does MIPS stand for in the context of CPU performance?
What does MIPS stand for in the context of CPU performance?
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If the clock cycle time is 500 ps and the instruction count is 2 million, what is the execution time for a program?
If the clock cycle time is 500 ps and the instruction count is 2 million, what is the execution time for a program?
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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.
- Components:
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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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.
