Computer Architecture Quiz

What is a key characteristic of the Von Neumann architecture?

• a. Instructions and data are stored in separate memory units.

• b. Multiple control units execute instructions in parallel.

• c. Shared memory space for instructions and data.

• d. Registers are not used for accessing data.

In the Harvard architecture, how are instructions and data stored?

• a. In the same memory unit with separate buses.

• b. In separate memory units with separate buses.

• c. In separate memory units with a shared bus.

• d. In the same memory unit with a shared bus.

Which architecture allows reading and writing data simultaneously while fetching an instruction?

• a. Von Neumann architecture

• b. Harvard architecture

• c. SIMD architecture

• d. MIMD architecture

What kind of processors commonly use the Harvard architecture?

• a. CISC processors

• b. RISC processors

• c. Parallel processors

• d. Supercomputers

Which architectural model originated in the 1940s?

• a. Von Neumann and Harvard architectures

• b. Contemporary architectures

• c. SIMD architecture

• d. MIMD architecture

What are contemporary architectures collectively known as?

• a. Von Neumann architectures

• b. Harvard architectures

• c. Modern machine architectures

• d. SIMD architectures

What does SIMD stand for, and what is its primary use?

• a. Single Data Multiple Instructions, used for scientific computing.

• b. Single Instruction Multiple Data, often used by graphic processors.

• c. Single Data Multiple Instructions, used for distributed computing.

• d. Single Instruction Multiple Data, used for RISC processors.

In MIMD architecture, how are instructions and data processed?

• a. A single instruction is executed on multiple data items simultaneously.

• b. Multiple instructions are executed on a single data item.

• c. Multiple instructions are carried on multiple data items across several cores.

• d. Instructions and data are not processed together.

What is distributed computing, and what is an example of it?

• a. Processing data on a single computer with multiple cores.

• b. Where multiple computers on a shared network work on a bigger problem, e.g., SETI@home by NASA.

• c. Sharing data between different programs running on a computer.

• d. A technique used in Harvard architecture to manage data.

Which architectural model is commonly used for solving complex problems over the internet, such as the SETI@home initiative?

• a. SIMD architecture

• b. Von Neumann architecture

• c. MIMD architecture

• d. Distributed computing architecture