Introduction to Computer Architecture
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Questions and Answers

What is the main function of the Control Unit (CU) in a CPU?

  • To convert binary instructions into human-readable code.
  • To perform arithmetic calculations.
  • To store data temporarily during calculations.
  • To manage the execution of instructions and coordinate the flow of data. (correct)

    • Which of the following statements best describes the Von Neumann architecture?

  • Both program instructions and data are stored in main memory. (correct)
  • Programs and data are stored separately in the CPU.
  • The CPU can perform multiple instructions simultaneously.
  • Instructions are executed in a random order.

    • During the fetch-execute cycle, which component fetches instructions from memory?

  • Data Register (DR)
  • Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
  • Control Unit (CU) (correct)
  • Memory Address Register (MAR)

    • What operation does the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) perform?

    <p>Performing arithmetic and logic operations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the concept of the stored program?

    <p>Programs and the data they process are stored in memory.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which operation is NOT typically performed by the ALU?

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

    How does the CPU execute a sequence of instructions?

    <p>By fetching and executing instructions one after another.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which register is primarily used to hold the address of the next instruction to be executed?

    <p>Program Counter (PC)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What component of the CPU is responsible for decoding instructions?

    <p>Control unit (CU)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which register holds the address of the next instruction to be executed?

    <p>Program counter (PC)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) in the CPU?

    <p>Perform calculations and logic operations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During the fetch-execute cycle, which component is used to temporarily hold data before processing?

    <p>Accumulator (ACC)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the Memory Data Register (MDR) play in the CPU?

    <p>Stores data fetched from memory during the fetch phase</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following accurately describes the role of the Control Unit (CU) in CPU architecture?

    <p>It manages the movement of data within the CPU</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which bus is primarily used for transferring data between components of the CPU?

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

    What does the Memory Address Register (MAR) do within the CPU?

    <p>Holds the address from which data will be fetched or to which it will be sent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the instruction 'mov rax, 1' accomplish in the context of the code?

    <p>It sets the system call for writing data.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which section of the code contains the actual string to be printed?

    <p>section.data</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the syscall with 'mov rax, 60' represent in the code?

    <p>System call for exiting the program.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the machine code provided, what does 'b8 21 0a 00 00' represent?

    <p>Moving the newline character into the register.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the address of the string 'Hello, World' represented in the code?

    <p>Through the variable 'message'.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the instruction 'xor rdi, rdi' used in the code?

    <p>To prepare rdi for the exit syscall.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the online assembler simulator mentioned allow users to experiment with?

    <p>Simplified 8-bit assembler instructions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of memory requirements mentioned for assembly instructions?

    <p>They affect how much code can fit into memory.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Introduction to Computer Architecture

    • CPU is responsible for carrying out instructions and moving data.
    • The Von Neumann Model is a computer system model that stores both data and instructions in the same memory.
    • This allows the computer to access data and instructions sequentially.
    • Stored Program Concept: The primary idea is that both programs and data are stored in the main memory, and instructions are fetched and executed sequentially.

    Fetch-Execute Cycle

    • Fetch: The CPU fetches an instruction from memory.
    • Decode: The CPU decodes the instruction to determine what operation to perform.
    • Execute: The CPU executes the instruction.
    • Registers: Temporary storage locations within the CPU that hold data and instructions during processing.
    • Buses: Connections that allow the CPU to communicate with other components, such as memory (RAM) and peripherals.
    • Components of the Fetch-Execute Cycle:
      • Program Counter (PC): Points to the next instruction to be fetched.
      • Memory Address Register (MAR): Holds the address of the location in memory where the instruction is stored.
      • Memory Data Register (MDR): Holds the data retrieved from or sent to memory.
      • Current Instruction Register (CIR): Holds the current instruction to be decoded and executed.
      • Accumulator (ACC): A register that holds the result of arithmetic and logic operations.

    The Control Unit (CU)

    • Timing and Flow Control: Controls the timing of all computer components.
    • Instruction Processing: Responsible for fetching, decoding, and executing instructions.
    • Hardware Management: Controls and monitors hardware connected to the computer, such as the ALU, memory, and peripherals.

    The Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)

    • Arithmetic and Logic Operations: Performs calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and logic operations (AND, OR, NOT).
    • Intermediate Results: Stores intermediate calculations in a register.

    Key Terms

    • Von Neumann Model: A model of computer architecture where instructions and data are stored in the same memory.
    • Control Unit (CU): The part of the CPU that coordinates the execution of instructions.
    • Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): The part of the CPU that performs calculations.
    • Registers: Temporary storage locations within the CPU.
    • Accumulator (ACC): A register that holds the results of calculations.
    • Program Counter (PC): A register that holds the address of the next instruction to be executed.
    • Current Instruction Register (CIR): A register that holds the current instruction being decoded and executed.
    • Memory Address Register (MAR): A register that holds the address of the memory location being accessed.
    • Memory Data Register (MDR): A register that holds the data being transferred to or from memory.
    • Random Access Memory (RAM): The main memory of a computer, used to store data and instructions.
    • Bus: A pathway that allows different components of the computer to communicate with each other.

    Summary of CPU Function

    • The CPU retrieves instructions and data from memory to be processed.
    • The PC holds the address of the next instruction.
    • The address is transferred to the MAR, which then accesses memory.
    • The data is then transferred to the MDR and the instruction to the CIR.
    • The CU decodes the instructions and sends them to the ALU.
    • The ALU performs calculations and the result is stored in a register.
    • The CU directs the flow of data and instructions throughout the process.

    Assembly Language and Machine Code

    • Assembly language uses mnemonic instructions, which are then translated into machine code (binary instructions that the CPU directly understands).
    • The assembler converts assembly language into machine code.
    • Assembly language is less portable than high-level languages and is specific to the CPU architecture.
    • Machine code is binary representations of instructions.
    • The provided example demonstrates a simple program in assembly language (hello.asm) and how it can be assembled (nasm) and linked (ld) to create an executable file.
    • The machine code equivalent of the "Hello, World" program also shows how instructions are translated into binary form.
    • For more complex applications, assembler becomes necessary for fine-grained control of hardware resources and system call interactions.

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    Related Documents

    igcse-5-computer-architecture-r2.pdf

    Description

    This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of computer architecture, focusing on the CPU, the Von Neumann Model, and the fetch-execute cycle. Understand how data and instructions are processed in a computer system and explore the key components involved in instruction execution.

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