CSIS 273: Computer Architecture Chapter 1

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Questions and Answers

What term describes the raw, unprocessed facts that have little or no meaning?

Input

Data (correct)

Output

Information

What essential process transforms input data into useful information?

Information processing (correct)

Data storage

Data collection

Information dissemination

Which component of a computer system is responsible for the physical parts?

Hardware (correct)

Firmware

Peripheral devices

Software

Which best describes an embedded system?

A microprocessor integrating with other hardware for a specific purpose Signup and view all the answers

What role does software play in a computer system?

It provides instructions for transforming input data into output Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary function of the information processing cycle?

Transforming input into processed output Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of a personal computer?

Tool for enhancing productivity, creativity, and communication Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT typically considered a type of memory in computers?

CPU Signup and view all the answers

Which component is not typically part of a desktop computer?

Graphics card built into the keyboard Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'output' refer to in a computer system?

The processed information produced by the system Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates a workstation from a regular desktop computer?

Workstations are high-end with massive computing power Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes netbooks?

Extra-small, extra-light computers with minimal capabilities Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of handheld devices like PDAs?

They combine functions of various devices Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about laptops is true?

They are designed for portability Signup and view all the answers

Desktop computers may house components in which manner?

In both the tower and monitor casings Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of smart phones?

They combine the functions of multiple devices Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of peripherals like keyboards and printers?

To serve as communication links between people and computers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT suggested for reducing environmental impact in computing?

Keeping the computer on at all times Signup and view all the answers

What elements do bits represent in computing?

Patterns of bits that can represent various types of information Signup and view all the answers

Which statement regarding CPU functionality is accurate?

Modern CPUs often utilize multicore processing to increase processing speed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of ROM in a computer?

To contain unchangeable information Signup and view all the answers

What can be considered a hidden environmental cost of computing?

The disposal of electronic waste Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions contributes to green computing?

Recycling computer components Signup and view all the answers

How does the microprocessor interact with input data?

It follows software instructions to transform data into output. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) in a computer?

To store date, time, and calendar information Signup and view all the answers

What purpose does Flash memory serve in modern electronics?

It allows for compact storage that can be written and erased repeatedly. Signup and view all the answers

How does the CPU know which instructions to execute when the computer is powered on?

It executes pre-stored instructions from ROM. Signup and view all the answers

What function do internal buses (or simply buses) serve in a computer system?

They facilitate communication between the CPU and RAM. Signup and view all the answers

What types of ports does a computer typically have?

Video, audio, and USB ports for diverse connectivity needs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of expansion slots in a computer?

They allow additional peripherals to be added to the system. Signup and view all the answers

Which component is directly responsible for executing instructions in the computer?

CPU Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between buses and expansion cards?

Buses allow communication between the CPU and expansion cards. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the Control Unit in the CPU?

It manages the execution of instructions. Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the CPU is responsible for performing mathematical calculations and logical comparisons?

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) Signup and view all the answers

What determines the performance of a CPU?

The speed of the internal clock and processor architecture. Signup and view all the answers

Why might software not work on different CPUs?

CPUs have different built-in instruction sets. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes memory registers in the CPU?

High-speed storage for small amounts of data used temporarily. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'word size' in refernece to a processor's architecture?

The number of bits processed at one time, typically 32 or 64 bits. Signup and view all the answers

When evaluating compatibility for software, what is an important factor?

The CPU’s family compatibility and backward compatibility. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the heat generated in a CPU as the clock speed increases?

It increases. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes random access memory (RAM)?

It temporarily stores program instructions and data. Signup and view all the answers

How do multicore processors improve computer performance?

By allowing multiple CPUs to run processes simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the prefetch unit in the CPU?

To read instructions from memory for processing. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes read-only memory (ROM)?

It is permanently etched with information during manufacturing. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a server cluster from multicore processing?

Server clusters add multiple machines to a network for processing. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is true?

It includes registers of both 32 and 64 bits. Signup and view all the answers

Why is RAM considered volatile memory?

Because it does not retain data after power is lost. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 1: Computer Architecture (Hardware)

CSIS 273 is a course on Personal Computing for Applied Sciences.
Chapter 1 focuses on computer hardware.

Chapter 2 Objectives

Understand computer types.
Describe how computers store and process information.
Detail a computer's structure and organization.
Explain the interactions of internal components.
Explain the different types of memory and storage devices.

Computers in Perspective

All computers have input and output.
Input is the information received from the outside world.
Output is the information that is given to the outside world.

Data and Information

Data are raw, unprocessed facts, such as test scores or a recipe.
Information is processed data that has meaning and value.
Before processing data has little or no meaning.
Information is a communication that has value, as it informs.

Information Processing Cycle

Input data is processed to create output information.
For example, exam scores are processed to compute the average.

Computers in Perspective (Computer System)

Hardware and software are crucial components for computer versatility.
Hardware is the physical part of the computer.
Software provides instructions to transform input data into output.
People are necessary to utilize the system.

Computer Types: Embedded Systems

An embedded system is a microprocessor component of a larger system that carries out a specific task.
Examples include traffic lights, toys, game machines, and thermostats.
Firmware is a program etched on silicon; meaning it is not alterable.

Personal Computers

Personal computers (PCs) are used by one person at a time.
They are used for productivity, creativity and communication.
PCs, such as desktop computers, have several components.
Some components are housed in the tower (e.g. microprocessor), while other components (e.g. monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers) can be separate.

Workstations

A workstation is a high-end desktop computer with powerful computing capabilities.
These powerful computers are used in computationally intensive interactive applications and large-scale scientific data analysis.
The line between desktop computers and workstations is becoming less clear.

Portable Computers

Laptops and notebooks are designed for portability.
Netbooks are small, lightweight and inexpensive computers without extra features.

Handheld Devices

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are devices that can combine the functions of a phone, camera, PDA, game machine, and music/video player.
Smart phones have combined multiple functions in one device.
Tablets are in between smart phones and notebooks/netbooks.

Servers

Servers are computers that provide data, programs and other resources to other computers within a network.
Any desk top computer can be a server, but certain servers are built for the specific purpose.
Servers typically have faster processors, more memory storage space or faster network connections.

Mainframes

Mainframes are room-sized multi-user computers used by big organizations (e.g. airlines, banks).
Mainframes can communicate with several users simultaneously through time-sharing.

Supercomputers

Supercomputers are multi-user computers constructed from thousands of microprocessors.
Supercomputers are used for tasks like weather forecasting and encryption/decryption, often needing the most powerful computing capabilities.

B-Hardware Basics (Inside the Box)

Study of the fundamental hardware within a computer.

What Computers Do is a Processing Cycle

Four basic operations: receive input, process information, produce output, and store information.

What Computers Do (cont.)

Input, output, processor (CPU), memory and storage devices, and peripherals are vital hardware components.

Bit Basics

A bit is the smallest unit of information a computer processes.
It can be either 0 or 1.
A byte is a collection of eight bits.

Bits as Numbers

Computers use binary for numbers, where numbers use combinations of binary digits (bits).
Decimal numbers are automatically converted to binary by the computer.

Bits, Bytes, and Buzzwords

Units of measurement for computer data.
1 byte = 8 bits
Kilobyte (KB) = 1024 bytes
Megabyte (MB) = 1024 KB
Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 MB
Terabyte (TB) = 1024 GB
Petabyte (PB) = 1024 TB

The Computer's Core: CPU and Memory

Digital computers are made from on/off switches.
The user provides input as patterns of bits and the computer follows instructions to transform the input into output.

The CPU: The Real Computer

CPUs are often called processors.
They transform input to output.
They interpret and execute program instructions, with the performance defined by the speed of the internal clock and architectural specification.
The CPU communicates with other parts of the computer via memory.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The control unit is the part of the CPU to sequentially access program instructions.
It decodes them and handles the flow of data.
The ALU is used for calculations.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)(cont)

Memory registers store small amounts of data and instructions temporarily.
The ALU performs mathematical calculations and logic comparisons.

The CPU and the Real Computer (cont)

Modern CPUs are complex collections of electronic circuits housed on a circuit board.
The motherboard is the circuit board containing the CPU.

The CPU: The Real Computer (cont): Choosing a Computer

CPU Type is a critical decision factor for computer purchases.
Important factors to consider are: compatibility and performance.

Compatibility

Software compatibility is not universal with all CPUs.
Similar families of CPU are often backward compatible with earlier instruction sets.
Not all programs (or software) will run on some CPUs.

Performance

Some CPUs perform faster than others.
Performance depends on internal clock speed, measured in GHz. Architecture is determined by word size (32 or 64 bits).
Increased clock speeds create more heat.

Performance (cont): Multicore Processors

Multicore processors combine multiple CPUs (cores) on a single chip to improve performance by dividing work.
Modern PCs generally have two or more cores.
Multi-core processors are becoming common.

Techniques for Speeding up a Computer's Performance: From Multicore to Cluster

Increasing the number of cores can improve CPU performance.
Parallel processing can be achieved via Server Clusters (groups of networked computers) allowing more machines to be used.

The CPU

The CPU is divided into functional units (Control Unit, ALU, Decode Unit, Bus Unit, Prefetch Unit).
These functional units work together.

The Computer's Memory

Random Access Memory (RAM) stores program instructions and data temporarily during the computer's operation.
Memory addresses are unique identifiers for memory locations.
RAM is volatile (data is lost when power is turned off).

The Computer's Memory (cont): Read Only Memory (ROM)

Read-Only Memory (ROM) stores computer start-up instructions and other critical information.
The information on ROM chips is permanent.

The Computer's Memory (cont): CMOS

Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) is a special low-energy type of RAM used to store date, time and calendar settings/information.

The Computer's Memory (cont): Flash Memory

Flash memory is rewritable, compact, portable and requires little energy for operation.
Flash memory can be written and erased repeatedly.
Digital cameras, cell phones, and handheld computers use flash memory.

Memory

The CPU automatically starts by using the instructions from the ROM chips.
Instructions to load the operating system are copied from the hard disk into RAM.
When the instructions are in RAM the CPU can execute them.

Buses

Information travels between motherboard components through wires called buses.
Buses act like bridges between components like the CPU and RAM.
Buses connect to storage devices, expansion slots, and external ports.

Ports

Computers have various ports for diverse needs (e.g. video ports for monitor, audio ports for speakers, USB ports for various devices, external ports).
Some ports are directly on the system board or are connected to expansion cards.

Expansion Slots

Expansion slots are areas on the motherboard for inserting expansion cards to add capabilities or functions to the computer.

How the CPU Works

The CPU works through the Input, Arithmetic-logic unit, Registers, Primary storage, Communication devices, and Secondary storage.

Peripherals

Peripherals are additional devices that connect to the computer to support or enhance the computer system, such as keyboards, printers, input/output devices or storage media.

Green Computing

Compared to other industries the computer industry is relatively easy on the overall environment.
The manufacture and use of computer hardware and software has an environmental impact.
Users have some control over the environmental impact of their activities through appropriate computing choices.

Green Computing (cont)

Buying green equipment, using energy-saving features, turning off the computer when away, and choosing energy-saving screensavers can reduce environmental impact.
Printing documents only when needed, and recycling products are also important in reducing impact.
Passing on computers/devices to individuals or organizations and understanding environmental costs can also help.

Chapter 2 Summary (final)

Computers manipulate bit patterns (0 and 1).
Bits are grouped into coded messages representing information.
Microprocessors follow software instructions to process calculations, logical manipulations and transforming input into output for users.

Summary (cont.)

Not all CPUs are compatible with all other CPUs.
Modern CPUs use multicore processors for faster calculation.
The CPU uses RAM (random access memory) for temporary storage.
ROM (read-only memory) contains unchanging information.