Chapter 2 (COMPUTER EVOLUTION AND PERFORMANCE )

2.1. What is a stored program computer?

Answer:

A stored program computer is a computer to use a stored-program concept.

A stored-program concept is the programming process could be facilitated if the program could be   represented in a form suitable for storing in memory alongside the data. Then, a computer could get its instructions by reading them from memory, and a program could be set or altered by setting the values of a portion of memory.

2.2. What are the four main components of any general-purpose computer?

Answer:

The four main components of any general-purpose computer:

·         Main memory (M)

·         I/O equipment (I,O)

·         Arithmetic-logic unit (CA)

·         Program control unit (CC)

2.3At the integrated circuit level, what are the three principal constituents of a computer system?

Answer:

The three principal constituents of a computer system are,

·         Transistors

·         Resistors

·         Capacitors

2.4. Explain Moore’s law.

Answer:

The famous Moore’s law, which was propounded by Gorton Moore, cofounder Intel, in 1965. Moore observed that,

The number of transistors that could be put on a single chip was doubling every year and correctly predicted that this pace would continue into the near future. To the surprise of many, including Moore, the pace continued year after year and decade after decade. The pace slowed to a doubling every 18 months in the 1970s, but has sustained that rate ever since.

2.5. List and explain the key characteristics of a computer family.

Answer:

The key characteristics of a computer family

·         Similar or identical instruction set: In many cases, the exact same set of machine is instructions are supported on all members of the family. Thus, a program that executes on one machine will also execute on any other. In some cases, the lower end of the family has an instruction set that is a subset of that of the top end of the family. This means that programs can move up but not down.

·         Similar or identical operation system: The same basic operating system is available for all family members. In some cases, additional features are added is the higher-end members.

·         Increasing speed: The rate of instruction execution increases in going from lower to higher family members.

·         Increasing number of I/O ports: In going from lower to higher family members.

·         Increasing memory size: In going from lower to higher family members.

·         Increasing cost: In going from lower to higher family members.

2.6. What is the key distinguishing feature of a microprocessor?

Answer:

The key distinguishing feature of a microprocessor is,

·         Clock speeds

·         Bus width

·         Number of transistors (microns)

·         Addressable memory

·         Virtual memory

Chapter 01 : Introduction

1.1. What, in general terms, is the distinction between computer organization and computer architecture?

Answer:

·         Computer architecture refers to those attributes of a system visible to a programmer or, put another way, those attributes that have a direct impact on the logical execution of a program.

·         Computer organization refers to the operational units and their interconnections that realize the architectural specifications.

·         Examples of architecture attributes include the instruction set, the number of bit to represent various data types (e.g.., numbers, and characters), I/O mechanisms, and technique for addressing memory.

·         Examples of organization attributes include those hardware details transparent to the programmer, such as control signals, interfaces between the computer and peripherals, and the memory technology used.

1.2. What, in general terms, is the distinction between computer structure and computer function?

Answer:

  Structure is how devices are interrelated, while function is the individual characteristics of each one.

·         Structure: The way in which the components are interrelated

·         Function: The operation of each individual component as part of the structure.

1.3. What are the four main functions of a computer?

Answer:

·         Data processing

·         Data storage

·         Data movement

·         Control         

  

1.4. List and briefly define the main structural components of a computer.

Answer:

·         Central processing unit (CPU): Controls the operation of the computer  

          and performs its data processing functions, often simply referred to as processor.

·         Main memory: Stores data.

·         I/O: Moves data between the computer and its external environment.

·         System interconnection: Some mechanism that provides for communication among CPU, main memory, and I/O. A common example of system interconnection is by means of a system bus, consisting of a number of conducting wires to which all the other components attach.

1.5. List and briefly define the main structural components of a processor.

  Answer:

     Control unit: manage the processor components and hence the computer itself,

     ALU:  make logical and arithmetic operations, being thus the processor “brain”,   

     Registers: temporally storage for data while processor operations,

     Internal bus: interconnect control unit, ALU and registers inside processor.

·         Control unit: Controls the operation of the CPU and hence the computer.

·         Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU): Performs the computer’s data processing functions.

·         Registers: Provides storage internal to the CPU.

·         CPU interconnection: Some mechanism that provides for communication among the control unit, ALU, and registers.