Computer Science Terminology Quiz

L1 Terminology

• Terminology is the science that studies terms used in a specific field.
• It focuses on the vocabulary used in scientific or technical contexts.
• The word "terminology" first appeared in the 19th century, as noted by the French linguist Alain Rey.

Computer Structure

• A computer's basic structure is Input unit, Central unit, Output unit, and Storage unit.

• Each component serves a specific function.

• The Processor (CPU): The main component of the central unit.

• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): A component of the central unit, specializing in graphics calculations and massively parallel tasks.

• Random Access Memory (RAM): A component of the central unit.

• Hard Drive (HDD) or Solid-State Drive (SSD): Components of the storage unit.

Definition of Computer Science

• Computer science is the science of automatic information processing using a machine capable of manipulating digital or binary data.
• The term "Informatique" was created in 1962 by Philippe Dreyfus, combining the words "information" and "automatic."

Generations of Computers

1. The First Generation (1945-1954)

• This generation used vacuum tubes.
• Composed of vacuum tube circuits.
• Programming was in binary language.
• Notable difficulty in programming and a lack of flexibility.
• Processing time was around 10^-2 seconds (0.01 seconds).
• ENIAC (1946) was the first fully electronic computer.

2. The Second Generation (1955-1963)

• This generation used transistors instead of vacuum tubes.
• This generation used binary language programming.
• Developed advanced programming languages (e.g., Fortran in 1954).
• Space-saving design.
• Introduction of printers and memory.
• Processing time was around 10^-3 seconds (0.001 seconds).

3. The Third Generation (1964-1971)

• This generation integrated circuits
• Utilized integrated circuits, which were entire electronic circuits on a silicon piece.
• Made computers more affordable for small companies.
• Marked the beginning of the software industry.
• Processing time was around 10^-6 seconds (0.000001 seconds).

4. The Fourth Generation (1972-Present)

• This generation used microprocessors.
• Introduced microcomputers
• Used Large-scale integration (VLSI) and Large-scale integration (LSI) of integrated circuits.
• Created a true micro-machine on a single chip (the microprocessor).
• Reduced the space occupied by computers.
• Development of personal computers and networking.
• Processing time was around 10^-9 seconds (0.000000001 seconds).

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

• The CPU is the primary hardware component in a computer, responsible for executing instructions from programs.
• It performs various tasks like calculations, logic operations, and data management.
• Acts as the computer's "brain".
• CPU power is measured in Hertz (Hz).

CPU Calculation Execution

• The Arithmetic Logic Unit (UAL) is a crucial component of the processor and carries out arithmetic (mathematical) and logical operations.
• The UAL receives data from the CPU's registers or memory based on instructions from the control unit.
• After processing, it returns results to the CPU's registers or memory.

Data Management in the CPU

• The CPU plans and allocates resources.
• Provides instructions to other components.
• Supervises operations.
• Uses components like DMA (Direct Memory Access) for data transfers, freeing the CPU for calculations.

CPU Clock Speed

• Clock speed measures how fast a CPU executes instructions. It's measured in Hertz (Hz), One Hertz is one cycle per second.
• A higher clock speed generally indicates better performance because more instructions can be executed per second.
• However, clock speed is not the only determinant of performance; other factors like the number of cores, architecture, and cache size also play a role.

Number of Cores, Architecture, and Cache Size

• Dedicated L1 cache: Stores critical data close to the core for low latency.
• Dedicated L2 cache: accommodates the majority of working sets.
• Shared L3 cache: Maximizes efficiency of the cache hierarchy.

Main Types of DMA Controllers

• Integrated DMA function in chipsets such as Intel and AMD chipsets
• Transfers data directly between RAM and storage without relying on CPU cycles.
• PCIe card controllers
  • High-speed PCIe devices (such as graphics cards and SSDs).
  • Used in video data transfer by graphics cards and quick storage reads/writes by SSDs.

DMA Operating Modes

• Single-Transfer Mode: Transfers one data unit (byte or word) at a time.
• Demand Mode: Transfers data only when the connected device requests it.
• Scatter-Gather Mode: Collects data from different locations in memory and then transfers it to a single destination, or takes a block and distributes it over multiple locations.

Examples of Processors

• System on Chip (SoC): Qualcomm Snapdragon, Apple A-Series, Samsung Exynos, NVIDIA Tegra
• Micro-controller: ARM Cortex-M, ATmega328P, PIC, ESP32

The Graphics Card (GPU)

• A specialized processor (GPU).
• A component of the central processing unit of a computer system.
• Manages the display on the screen, including Windows and desktop environments.
• Performs 3D rendering, especially for video games.
• Highly parallel processing design, contrasting with sequential processing in CPUs.

Applications of GPUs

• Video games: Rendering images, lighting effects, and textures.
• Scientific computing: Simulations in areas like climate, physics, and biology.
• Artificial Intelligence: Accelerates model training in machine learning and deep learning.

GPU Architecture

• Designed for parallel processing and consists of thousands of lightweight optimized cores.
• GPU cores offer powerful individual processing units, but less power than a CPU in isolation.
• Compensates relatively low individual power with sheer number of parallel cores.

Example Processing (CPU/GPU) Comparison

• Compared to a CPU with one core, for example, taking 72 clock cycles to process 36 pixels, a GPU with 36 cores can process the same 36 pixels in only 2 clock cycles compared to a one-core CPU's 72 clock cycles.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

• A core component of a GPU, performing arithmetic and logical operations.
• Responsible for tasks like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and logical operations (AND, OR, NOT).
• Its parallel processing capability significantly enhances the speed of graphics computations.

Shared Memory

• Shared Memory: A fast, temporary memory space in the GPU enabling multiple cores to quickly communicate with each other.
• Sharing memory is important to accelerate speed of data access and optimize efficiency of parallel computations.

VRAM (Video Random Access Memory)

• VRAM is specialized memory for the GPU to hold and process graphical data needed for image rendering (e.g., textures, frame buffers, 3D graphics)

Graphics Pipeline

• Vertex Processing: Transforming 3D coordinates (vertices) into 2D coordinates for display on the screen.
• Pixel Mapping (Rasterization): Converting 3D models into 2D images, determining which pixels on the screen match the shapes defined by vertices in 3D space.
• Pixel Shading: Manipulating the colors and appearance of pixels based on lighting and other parameters to create realistic visuals.

CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture)

• CUDA is a parallel computing platform for GPUs, created by NVIDIA.
• Allows performance of complex calculations by breaking down complex tasks into smaller sub-tasks that can be processed concurrently by thousands of GPU cores.
• Used in artificial intelligence (AI), image processing, and scientific simulations.

GPU Overclocking

• Overclocking increases the operating frequency of the GPU.
• Leads to higher performance but increased power consumption and heat generation.
• Useful for gamers and graphics professionals, but must be cautiously managed to avoid damaging the hardware.

GPU vs. CPU Comparison

• Performance: GPU excels at massively parallel tasks, while CPU excels at sequential tasks.
• Cost: GPUs are typically more expensive than CPUs.
• Development Time: Developing GPU programs often takes longer than writing CPU programs.
• Energy Consumption: GPUs generally consume more power than CPUs, while CPUs are typically more energy efficient.

Memory

1. Capacity

• Memory is measured in various units (MB, GB, TB).
• Capacity determines the amount of data the memory can store.
• Higher capacity allows storing more information.

2. Access Speed

• Memory access speed is measured in nanoseconds (or MHz/GHz).
• Faster memory access means data is available to the processor quicker.

3. Volatility

• Volatile memory (e.g., RAM) loses its content when the power is off.
• Non-volatile memory (e.g., SSD (solid-state drive)) retains data even when power is off.

4. Cost

• Memory cost varies depending on capacity (larger = higher cost) and speed (faster = higher cost).

• Primary Memory: RAM and Cache memory.

• Secondary Memory: HDD (Hard Disk Drives) and SSD (Solid State Drives).

RAM (Random Access Memory)

• RAM is a temporary memory used for storing information the computer actively is using.
• Access speed is faster compared to hard drives.

RAM Features

• There are various generations of RAM, each generation improving speed, capacity, energy efficiency. (e.g., DDR3, DDR4, DDR5).
• DDR3, DDR4, and DDR5 differ in speed, capacity, and energy efficiency.
• High-end systems use terabytes of RAM.

Cache Memory

• Cache memory is a super-fast memory, close to the processor.
• An intermediary between CPU and main memory.
• Important to significantly improve processing performance due to speed advantage and placement between the CPU and main memory.

HDD (Hard Disk Drive)

• HDD is a common storage device.
• Offers large storage capacities at a lower cost.
• Relies on mechanical components, hence slower than other options.
• Prone to damage from physical shocks.

SSD (Solid State Drive)

• SSD uses chips for data storage.
• Eliminates moving mechanical parts.
• Significantly faster data access speeds.
• More resistant to physical shocks.
• Usually costlier than HDDs.

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

• Non-volatile memory that retains its content even without power.
• Stores critical information like firmware, BIOS, and boot programs.
• Data is usually read-only, not easily edited or erased.

Test your knowledge about the fundamental concepts in computer science, focusing on the evolution of computer generations and their key components. From defining terms to understanding the roles of ALUs and VRAM, this quiz will challenge your understanding of technological advancements.