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Questions and Answers
What is the primary method by which CD-ROMs record digital information?
Which of the following characteristics is true for WORM (Write-Once Read-Many) CDs?
What advantage do erasable optical disks have over magnetic disks?
What role do input and output devices play in a computer system?
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What is a key feature of CD-ROMs that affects their use?
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What is the primary purpose of the Control Unit in a CPU?
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Which of the following is NOT a type of machine instruction?
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How is numeric data represented in a computer?
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What does an operation code in a machine instruction indicate?
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What occurs during the instruction cycle of a CPU?
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What is the main memory used for in a computer system?
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Which component is used to perform arithmetic and logic operations in a CPU?
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What must occur before data from secondary memory can be manipulated by the CPU?
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What primarily distinguishes a von Neumann computer from other types of computers?
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What is the role of the Control Unit in a CPU?
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How does the main memory function in a von Neumann architecture?
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What component of the CPU is responsible for executing basic operations?
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Which of the following best describes the function of registers in a CPU?
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What does the term 'instruction execution' refer to?
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What are computer peripherals classified as?
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In the context of the von Neumann architecture, what is meant by the term 'addressable by location'?
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What characteristic primarily differentiates main memory from secondary memory?
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Which of the following best describes a common semiconductor memory type?
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What happens to the data in RAM when electrical power is removed?
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Which feature is true for hard disks?
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What type of access does magnetic tape use?
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Which of the following describes the primary use of magnetic tape?
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What is a unique feature of floppy disks compared to hard disks?
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Which of the following is a disadvantage of using magnetic tape for data storage?
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Study Notes
Magnetic Tape and Optical Memory
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Magnetic Tape: Composed of plastic coated with iron oxide, allowing for data storage by magnetizing in various directions.
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Sequential Access: Access time ranges from 1 to 5 seconds, suitable for backup and archival storage.
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Storage Capacity: Holds approximately 50 MB per tape. Inexpensive compared to other storage mediums.
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CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM): Features a surface with microscopic holes that encode digital information.
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Properties: Offers a capacity of 775 MB per disk, equivalent to about 550 floppy disks; inexpensive to replicate and manufacture; read-only and removable; access time can be as long as half a second.
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WORM (Write-Once Read-Many) CD: Utilizes a moderate laser intensity to imprint entire patterns on the disk, ideal for permanent archival storage of large data volumes.
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Erasable Optical Disk: Combines laser technology with magnetic surface techniques, enabling multiple writes and overwrites while ensuring high reliability and longevity compared to magnetic disks.
Computer System Architecture
- Computer Definition: A data processing machine that operates autonomously based on a list of instructions (program) stored in its main memory.
- Components of a Computer System: Typically includes the computer itself and its peripherals, such as input devices, output devices, and secondary memory.
Von Neumann Architecture
- General-Purpose Design: Can solve different problems depending on the programming executed.
- Memory Storage: Both data and instructions reside in main memory, addressable by location, and processed sequentially unless modified by specific instructions.
- Central Processing Unit (CPU): Comprised of a control unit (CU) for coordinating instruction execution and an arithmetic/logic unit (ALU) for performing calculations and logical operations.
Data Representation
- Binary Format: Data and instructions inside the computer are represented using binary digits "0" and "1". Each number corresponds to powers of 2.
- Arithmetic Operations: Binary numbers can be directly manipulated (added, subtracted, multiplied, divided) without conversion to decimal.
Instruction Cycle and Machine Instructions
- Machine Instructions: Specific to each CPU, instruct the computer on actions such as data transfer, arithmetic operations, and input/output operations.
- Instruction Cycle Steps: A series of actions that correspond to executing a single instruction.
Control Unit and Communication
- Control Unit Function: Synchronizes components within the CPU and external interfaces to ensure proper operation of the computer system.
- Bus Communication: Various buses connect different components for smooth data exchange.
Memory Types
- Main Memory: Fast, limited size, designed to store currently used programs and data. Most common type is Random Access Memory (RAM), which loses data without power.
- Secondary Memory: Provides long-term storage; data must be loaded into main memory before processing.
Hard Disk Drive
- Composition: Data is recorded on disks made of metal with magnetic coatings, housed in protective casings.
- Key Features: Direct access with a seek time of approximately 10 ms and data transfer rates around 5 MB/s; storage capacity ranges from 8MB to several GB.
Diskette
- Construction: Polyester-coated floppy disks, requiring a special drive for data access.
- Key Attributes: Direct access, cost-effective, and portable with capacities of 360 KB for 5 1/4-inch and 1.44 MB for 3 1/2-inch disks.
Summary of Key Features
- Magnetic Tape: Sequential, high storage, cost-effective.
- CD-ROM: Large capacity, read-only, removable media.
- WORM CD: Permanent data storage.
- Erasable Optical Disk: High durability and rewrite capability.
- CPU and Memory: Control unit, ALU, and memory types define architecture and function of computers.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamentals of magnetic tape and optical memory technologies, including their properties, access times, and storage capacities. Learn about different types of storage media like CD-ROMs, WORM CDs, and erasable optical disks, as well as their applications in data storage and archiving.
