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Questions and Answers
What is the primary method by which CD-ROMs record digital information?
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?
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 advantage do erasable optical disks have over magnetic disks?
What role do input and output devices play in a computer system?
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?
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?
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?
Which of the following is NOT a type of machine instruction?
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How is numeric data represented in a computer?
How is numeric data represented in a computer?
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What does an operation code in a machine instruction indicate?
What does an operation code in a machine instruction indicate?
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What occurs during the instruction cycle of a CPU?
What occurs during the instruction cycle of a CPU?
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What is the main memory used for in a computer system?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
What does the term 'instruction execution' refer to?
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What are computer peripherals classified as?
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'?
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?
What characteristic primarily differentiates main memory from secondary memory?
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Which of the following best describes a common semiconductor memory type?
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?
What happens to the data in RAM when electrical power is removed?
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Which feature is true for hard disks?
Which feature is true for hard disks?
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What type of access does magnetic tape use?
What type of access does magnetic tape use?
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Which of the following describes the primary use of magnetic tape?
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?
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?
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.
