Components of Computer Systems (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE ICT): Flashcards
Exam code: 0417 & 0983
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What is the purpose of the CPU?
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What is the purpose of the CPU?
The purpose of the CPU is to fetch, decode and execute instructions.
Define fetch-execute cycle.
The fetch-execute cycle is the cycle the CPU runs through billions of times per second to make a computer work.
Name the four key components of the CPU.
The four key components of the CPU are the arithmetic logic unit (ALU), the control unit (CU), cache and registers.
What happens during the fetch stage?
During the fetch stage the next instruction or data is fetched from RAM and brought back to the CPU.
What happens during the decode stage?
During the decode stage the CPU works out what is required from the instruction.
What happens during the execute stage?
During the execute stage the CPU carries out the instruction that was fetched.
True or False?
The CPU carries out an instruction during the fetch stage.
False.
The instruction is carried out during the execute stage. The fetch stage only retrieves it from RAM.
The three stages of the cycle are fetch, decode and .
The three stages of the cycle are fetch, decode and execute.
Give two tasks the CPU might carry out at the execute stage.
At the execute stage the CPU might perform a calculation, store a result back in main memory, or fetch data from a different location in main memory.
What three things does a computer do with an input?
A computer takes an input, processes it and delivers an output for the user.
Define RAM.
RAM (Random Access Memory) is primary storage directly connected to the CPU that holds the data and instructions currently in use.
Define ROM.
ROM (Read Only Memory) is primary storage that holds the first instructions a computer needs to start up.
True or False?
ROM is a type of secondary storage.
False.
ROM is primary storage, just like RAM. Secondary storage is where data is held permanently when it is not in use.
Is RAM volatile or non-volatile, and what does that mean?
RAM is volatile, which means its contents are lost when the power is turned off.
Is ROM volatile or non-volatile, and what does that mean?
ROM is non-volatile, which means its contents are not lost when the power is turned off.
Can data be written to ROM?
No. ROM is read only, which means data can only be read from it.
Which is faster, RAM or ROM?
RAM is faster. ROM is fast, much faster than secondary storage, but it is slower than RAM.
Which has the larger capacity, RAM or ROM?
RAM has a much larger capacity than ROM.
True or False?
ROM capacity can be increased to improve performance.
False.
RAM capacity can be increased to improve performance. ROM capacity cannot be increased.
ROM contains the , the Basic Input Output System.
ROM contains the BIOS, the Basic Input Output System.
What must happen before the CPU can use data held in secondary storage?
The data and instructions must be copied from secondary storage into RAM.
Where is ROM located in a computer?
ROM is a small memory chip located on the computer's motherboard.
Define input device.
An input device is a hardware component that allows users to interact with a computer system, entering data or commands for the computer to process.
Define direct data entry device.
A direct data entry device is a device capable of inputting data into a computer with little or no human interaction, collecting and transferring data automatically.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of a keyboard.
A keyboard is an easy method of entering data and is very common, but it can cause repetitive strain injury and is slow compared with direct data entry.
Where is a numeric keypad commonly used?
A numeric keypad is commonly used in ATMs and chip and PIN devices.
True or False?
A touchscreen is more precise than a mouse.
False.
A touchscreen is less precise than a mouse, although it is intuitive and needs no separate pointing device.
Give two disadvantages of a microphone as an input device.
A microphone has variable quality, verbal inputs can be inaccurate, and the user needs to remember key words or phrases.
Why must data from an analogue sensor be converted?
Data from an analogue sensor must be converted to digital data using an ADC before a computer can process it.
What does OMR stand for, and what does it read?
OMR stands for Optical Mark Recognition, and it reads marks made in pen or pencil, for example on an exam paper.
What does OCR stand for, and what does it do?
OCR stands for Optical Character Recognition, and it converts text into digital data.
Which direct data entry device is used for contactless payment?
An RFID reader is used for contactless payment.
A reader is used with debit and credit cards, but can become unreadable if damaged.
A magnetic stripe reader is used with debit and credit cards, but can become unreadable if damaged.
Give two advantages of a barcode reader.
A barcode reader is fast and accurate, low cost, allows automatic stock control, and is a tried and trusted technology.
Give two disadvantages of a barcode reader.
A barcode reader requires line of sight, barcodes are easily damaged, and barcodes can be swapped or altered by consumers.
What advantage does a QR code have over a barcode, and what is its main risk?
A QR code can store more data than a barcode, but QR codes can also store malicious code.
Define output device.
An output device is a hardware component that receives information from a computer system and presents it to the user in a comprehensible form.
Give two advantages of an LCD monitor.
An LCD monitor has low power consumption, is lightweight, has no flickering and suffers no image burn-in.
What advantage does an LED monitor have over an LCD monitor?
An LED monitor has no motion blur or ghosting, as well as low power consumption and a long life.
Give two disadvantages of a CRT monitor.
CRT monitors run hot, are heavy and consume more power than other monitor types.
True or False?
A laser printer uses wet ink.
False.
A laser printer uses dry ink. It is the inkjet printer that uses wet inks.
Give two advantages of a laser printer.
A laser printer is fast, produces high-quality prints and has a lower cost per page.
What is a dot matrix printer particularly good for?
A dot matrix printer can print multi-part forms and is very good for long print runs.
What is a plotter used for?
A plotter is used for drawings and blueprints, and it can print on various materials.
Give two disadvantages of a 3D printer.
A 3D printer has limited materials, is a slow process, is very expensive, and makes counterfeit items easier to produce.
Define actuator.
An actuator is an output device that controls motors, pumps and switches, allowing automatic control of many devices.
A multimedia projector produces a large display but requires a room.
A multimedia projector produces a large display but requires a darkened room.
Give two disadvantages of an actuator.
An actuator requires power, is subject to potential mechanical wear, and requires a DAC interface.
Define storage device.
A storage device is the hardware that reads from and writes to storage media.
Define storage media.
Storage media is the physical media that holds the non-volatile data.
True or False?
A storage device and storage media are two names for the same thing.
False.
The device reads from and writes to the media; the media is what actually holds the data.
Name the three types of storage device.
The three types of storage device are magnetic, solid state and optical.
How does magnetic storage store binary data?
Magnetic storage uses magnets, specifically polarity, to store binary 0s and 1s.
How does solid state storage store binary data?
Solid state storage uses electronic circuits to store binary 0s and 1s.
How does optical storage store binary data?
Optical storage uses lasers to burn the surface of a disk, creating pits and lands.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of magnetic storage.
Magnetic storage has high capacity and a low cost per gigabyte, but it has moving parts that can be damaged if dropped, is heavy and bulky, is prone to mechanical failure and is loud.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of solid state storage.
Solid state storage has very fast read/write access, no moving parts, is silent and portable, but it has a very high cost per gigabyte and limited read/write cycles.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of optical storage.
Optical storage has a very low cost per gigabyte, is small and silent, but it has very low capacity, very slow read/write access and is prone to scratches.
Define backing storage.
Backing storage, also called secondary storage, is any non-volatile storage device, used to store data and programs when they are not actively being used in RAM.
Magnetic tape has a high capacity and low cost, but a slow access time because access is .
Magnetic tape has a high capacity and low cost, but a slow access time because access is sequential.
Which type of storage device reads a CD, DVD or Blu-ray?
A CD, DVD or Blu-ray is read by an optical storage device.
Name two storage media that are read by a solid state device.
Solid state media include the solid state drive (SSD), the portable solid state drive, the USB memory stick and flash memory cards such as SD or XD.
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