Computer Architecture & Data Basics

What is abstraction?

• The practice of simplifying complex systems by breaking them down into sub-parts and exposing only the essential characteristics or functionality, thereby hiding the underlying complexity from the user or developer

• The systematic process of identifying, isolating, and rectifying faults or errors in a computer program to ensure that it performs as intended.

• The preliminary stage of software development where stakeholders collaborate to define the software specifications, requirements, and constraints in a formal document.

• The implementation of iterative constructs that enable a computer program to execute a set of instructions multiple times, thereby reducing code redundancy and improving efficiency.

Where are a computer's most important hardware components typically located?

• On microchips, also known as integrated circuits.

• In the power supply unit, responsible for electrical conversion and distribution.

• On the external hard drive, which stores all the essential software and data.

• In the cooling system, which prevents the computer from overheating.

What do microchips reply on?

• Mechanical gears and levers to execute logical operations.

• Organic material to self-repair and adapt to tasks.

• transistorLiquid cooling systems to direct data flow.

• Transistors to control the flow of electrical current.

What is the modern computer name for a microchip

Answer explanation

Most modern computers have a microchip called the Central Processing Unit (CPU). You can think of it as the computer’s brain. It handles most of the number crunching and logical tasks that the computer performs.

What are transistors?

• They act as passive components that store energy in an electromagnetic field.

• To serve as oscillatory systems responsible for generating radio frequency signals.

• To operate as active semiconductor devices capable of amplifying, switching, or modulating electrical signals within integrated circuits.

• To function as electro-mechanical switches controlled by physical inputs like pressure or temperature.

What numbers represent the transistor for off and on? Starting with off.

What is an instruction set?

• A collection of network protocols used to establish a secure communication channel.

• A collection of binary (zeros and ones) commands that the CPU understands.

• A hierarchical file system layout used to organize and manage data storage.

• A set of built-in software libraries for handling graphical user interface elements.

Answer explanation

A collection of machine-level commands that a specific CPU or microprocessor is designed to execute, governing operations like arithmetic, data manipulation, and control flow.

What is the short-term memory hardware called (working memory)

Answer explanation

computers have Random Access Memory (RAM) as "working memory" (or short-term memory) to store information that is actively being used by running programs.

What is RAM made up of?

• Memory locations

• Memory spaces

• memory addresses

• Memory drives

Answer explanation

RAM is made up of a collection of memory addresses, which can be used to store bits of data.

What is the hard drive?

• A device that stores all the data on your computer
• A component that processes all the data on your computer
• A device that cools down your computer
• A component that powers your computer

Answer explanation

A hard drive is an internal or external device that stores data that should persist even after the computer is turned off.