1Outline the architecture of the central processing unit (CPU) and the functions of the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and the control unit (CU) and the registers within the CPU. 2.1.1
CPU - Central Processing Unit; contains below systems. Responsible for processing all instructions; is the computer’s brain
ALU - Arithmetic Logic Unit; math and logic operations
CU - Control Unit; directs all operations
Registers - temporary storage in CPU
Memory register
Instruction register
2Describe primary memory. 2.1.2
RAM - random access memory; volatile (disappears when computer offestarted)
ROM - read only memory; instructions and data related to hardware; doesn’t change; think BIOS
Processor cache - hardware cache used by CPU
3Explain the use of cache memory. 2.1.3
Extremely fast
Holds frequently requested data
4Explain the machine instruction cycle. 2.1.4
a.k.a. the Fetch-Execute cycle
Constant process the computer runs in the CPU
fetching the next instruction, decoding the instruction, executing the instruction
Also includes getting data from memory via bus
Data Bus - CPU sends and receives data
Address Bus - Processor and Memory send and receive data
Control Bus - control unit sends and receives data
5Identify the need for persistent storage. 2.1.5
a.k.a. Secondary Storage, Secondary Memory, or just Storage
Not volatile; does not go away when turned off
Examples: hard drives, solid state drives (SSD), flash sticks, SD cards, optical discs (CDs/DVDs)
6Describe the main functions of an operating system. 2.1.6
Mastermind - booting w/o OS, error control, threading to break large processes into smaller processes
Device Management - input/output controller
File Management - regulates which process gets file
Memory Management - manages RAM
Process Management - multitasking, prioritizing
Storage Management - directories, creating files
7Outline the use of a range of application software. 2.1.7
Types: word processor (Word), spreadsheet (Excel), desktop publishing (Adobe InDesign), web browser (Chrome), computer aided design (Photoshop), etc
8Identify common features of applications. 2.1.8
Possibility to terminate the application
Possibility to save current working
Toolbars
Dialogue boxes
Menus
User interface (GUI) components
9Define the terms: bit, byte, binary, denary/decimal, hexadecimal. 2.1.9
Bit - the smallest unit of data that a computer can process and store
Byte - a unit of data that is eight binary digits long
Binary - a numbering scheme in which there are only two possible values for each digit: either 0 or 1
Denary/decimal - Denary is a base 10 number system, also known as decimal. Each number position contains one of the 10 unique digits of 0-9.
Hexadecimal - Hexadecimal is a base/positional number system used in mathematics and computer science. It has a base of 16 and uses 16 unique alpha-numeric symbols with the numbers zero to 9 to represent themselves and the letters A-F to represent the values 10 to 15.
10Outline the way in which data is represented in the computer. 2.1.10
Binary / Hexadecimal
Data types: strings, integers, characters and colours
ASCII, Unicode
11Define the Boolean operators: AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR and XOR. 2.1.11
True can be represented by: T or 1
Fals can be represented by: F or 0
AND - both inputs must be true for output = true
OR - one of inputs must be true for output = true
NOT - neither inputs true for output = true
NAND - both inputs true for output = false
NOR - both inputs are false for output = true
XOR - on or other input true but not both for output = T
12Construct truth tables using the above operators. 2.1.12
Not more than three inputs are used
# of rows is often worth one point
13 Construct a logic diagram using AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR and XOR gates. 2.1.13
Not more than three inputs are used
Specific symbols used
Write the boolean operator inside the symbol