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Questions and Answers
Which of the following describes hardware?
Which of the following describes hardware?
An input device can only send data over a cable.
An input device can only send data over a cable.
False
What is the primary function of output devices?
What is the primary function of output devices?
To convert processed information from the computer to the user.
A __________ device is used for storing, porting, or extracting data files.
A __________ device is used for storing, porting, or extracting data files.
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Match the following components with their categories:
Match the following components with their categories:
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Which of the following tasks is NOT performed by input devices?
Which of the following tasks is NOT performed by input devices?
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The CPU is considered part of the software.
The CPU is considered part of the software.
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List the three types of devices that make up computer hardware.
List the three types of devices that make up computer hardware.
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What is the main purpose of cloud storage?
What is the main purpose of cloud storage?
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The central processing unit (CPU) is responsible for storing data permanently.
The central processing unit (CPU) is responsible for storing data permanently.
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Name one example of application software.
Name one example of application software.
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The _____ is a printed circuit board that holds the CPU and other essential hardware.
The _____ is a printed circuit board that holds the CPU and other essential hardware.
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an operating system?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an operating system?
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Match the following storage types with their descriptions:
Match the following storage types with their descriptions:
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Application software can function independently of the operating system.
Application software can function independently of the operating system.
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The CPU is also known as the _____ of the computer.
The CPU is also known as the _____ of the computer.
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What type of memory is RAM considered to be?
What type of memory is RAM considered to be?
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A Hard Drive is a type of temporary storage.
A Hard Drive is a type of temporary storage.
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What is the function of the Control Unit within a CPU?
What is the function of the Control Unit within a CPU?
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The __________ is responsible for carrying out arithmetic and logical operations in a CPU.
The __________ is responsible for carrying out arithmetic and logical operations in a CPU.
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Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
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Which two companies are the main manufacturers of computer processors?
Which two companies are the main manufacturers of computer processors?
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Data stored in RAM is retained when the computer is powered off.
Data stored in RAM is retained when the computer is powered off.
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What is the role of Registers within a CPU?
What is the role of Registers within a CPU?
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What is the primary function of the logic section of a processor?
What is the primary function of the logic section of a processor?
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Cache memory is a type of permanent storage.
Cache memory is a type of permanent storage.
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What are the two main types of memory in a computer system?
What are the two main types of memory in a computer system?
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The ______ is a high-speed internal connection used for sending control signals and data.
The ______ is a high-speed internal connection used for sending control signals and data.
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Match the following memory types with their descriptions:
Match the following memory types with their descriptions:
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Which of the following is NOT a function of the memory unit?
Which of the following is NOT a function of the memory unit?
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The contents of the secondary memory are directly accessed by the CPU.
The contents of the secondary memory are directly accessed by the CPU.
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What is the function of the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)?
What is the function of the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)?
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What is the primary purpose of cache memory?
What is the primary purpose of cache memory?
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The fetch-decode-execute cycle is only initiated when a program is being installed.
The fetch-decode-execute cycle is only initiated when a program is being installed.
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What is the term for the number of clock cycles a processor can perform in one second?
What is the term for the number of clock cycles a processor can perform in one second?
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A processor with four cores is often referred to as a __________ processor.
A processor with four cores is often referred to as a __________ processor.
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Match the type of processor with its description:
Match the type of processor with its description:
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Which measurement unit is commonly used to advertise the speed of modern CPUs?
Which measurement unit is commonly used to advertise the speed of modern CPUs?
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Explain what happens during the decode stage of the fetch-decode-execute cycle.
Explain what happens during the decode stage of the fetch-decode-execute cycle.
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A multi-core processor improves performance by allowing multiple tasks to be executed simultaneously.
A multi-core processor improves performance by allowing multiple tasks to be executed simultaneously.
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Study Notes
Computer Systems - Hardware and Software
- A computer system is made up of hardware and software.
- Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer such as motherboard, keyboard, monitor, etc.
- Software refers to the instructions that make the hardware usable.
- Software is divided into operating systems and application software.
Computer Hardware
- Input devices: transmit data from the user to the computer processor.
- Examples: keyboards, mice, scanners, microphones.
- Output devices: convert information processed from the computer back to the user.
- Examples: monitors, printers, speakers.
- Storage devices: used for storing, porting or extracting data files and objects.
- Examples: hard drives, SSDs, USB drives, cloud storage.
Internal Hardware Components
- Motherboard: A printed circuit board that holds the CPU and other essential internal hardware.
- CPU (Central Processing Unit): The brain of the computer that processes and executes instructions from various programs.
- Key manufacturers include Intel and AMD.
- RAM (Random Access Memory): Temporary memory storage that makes information immediately accessible to programs.
- RAM is volatile memory, data is cleared when the computer powers off.
- Hard drive: Physical storage devices that store both permanent and temporary data.
Components of a Processor
- Control Unit: Controls and coordinates the operations of the CPU.
- Manages data flow between the CPU and other devices.
- Decodes instructions.
- Stores resulting data back in memory.
- Registers: Small amounts of high-speed memory within the CPU.
- Store data needed during processing such as current instruction being decoded, address of the next instruction, and results of calculations.
- ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit): Carries out all arithmetic and logical operations.
- Arithmetic section: Performs arithmetic operations.
- Logic section: Performs logical operations such as comparing, selecting, and merging data.
- Buses: High-speed internal connections that send control signals and data between the processor and other components.
Memory Unit
- Stores instructions, data, and intermediate results.
- Supplies information to other units of the computer when needed.
- Also known as internal storage unit, main memory, primary storage, or RAM.
- Divided into:
- Primary/Main memory: Directly accessible by the CPU, comprised of RAM, provides working space for the processor. Temporary.
- Secondary memory/Mass storage: Contents are transferred to primary memory before being accessed by the processor. Permanent. (Example: Hard Disk)
- Cache memory: Small amount of high-speed RAM built directly within the processor.
- Temporarily holds data and instructions likely to be reused by the processor.
- Improves performance and reduces latency when data needs to be accessed frequently.
Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle
- The main job of the CPU is to execute programs using the fetch-decode-execute cycle.
- This cycle begins when the computer is turned on.
- The computer retrieves a program instruction from memory, understands the instruction, and then carries out the required actions for that instruction.
- Fetch: Fetches the instruction from memory.
- Decode: Understands the instruction.
- Execute: Executes the instruction.
Properties of a Processor
- Clock speed: An indicator of the processor's speed, measured in clock cycles per second.
- Modern CPUs typically advertise speed in gigahertz (GHz).
- Multi-core processor: A processor with two or more separate processing units (cores).
- Each core reads and executes program instructions, as if the computer had several processors.
- 2 cores (Dual-core): Suitable for most budget users.
- 4 cores (Quad-core): Allows for tasks like video rendering and gaming, alongside regular work.
- 8 cores (Octa-core): Ideal for professional gaming or video editing.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamentals of computer systems, highlighting the differences between hardware and software components. You'll learn about various input, output, and storage devices, along with the critical internal components like the motherboard and CPU. Test your knowledge on how these elements work together to form a functioning computer system.
