4299700
Description
Flashcards by Kristján Ólafsson, updated more than 1 year ago
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Created by Kristján Ólafsson
almost 9 years ago
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| Question | Answer |
| List and briefly define the four main elements of a computer. | Processor (CPU): controls the operations and performs data processing functions Memory: stores data and programs I/O components: move data between computer and external environment System bus: provides for communication among the above elements |
| Define the two main categories of processor registers. | Address register: contains the address for read and write. Buffer register: contains the data to be written or the data that was read. |
| In general terms, what are the four distinct actions that a machine instruction can specify? | Processor-memory: Data transferred to or from memory and processor. Processor-I/O: Data transferred to or from processor and I/O module. Data processing: processor performs some arithmetic or logic operation on data. Control: alter the sequence of execution. |
| What is an interrupt? | Interrupt is a signal that the processor can detect in its cycle. Can be used for signaling arithmetic errors, hardware errors, notifying on a set time, and most importantly I/O devices can notify that they have finished a job. |
| How are multiple interrupts dealt with? | They can be disabled when handling interrupt or prioritized so that some interrupts, of higher priority, can interrupt while an interrupt is being handled while others, of lower priority, are handled after it finishes. |
| What characteristics distinguish the various elements of a memory hierarchy? | The fastest storage has the smallest space and is most frequently accessed by the processor. Memories on a higher level in the hierarchy are slower, bigger and less frequently accessed. |
| What is cache memory? | Cache memory is a memory between the processor and the main memory. Cache utilizes locality in that way that when the processor has to access the main memory the cache takes a chunk from the main memory and stores it so that in the likely event that the processor needs the next line in memory it has already retrieved it. |
| What is the difference between a multiprocessor and a multicore system? | TODO 1.8 |
| What is the distinction between spatial locality and temporal locality? | TODO 1.9 |
| In general, what are the strategies for exploiting spatial locality and temporal locality? | TODO 1.10 |
| Explain briefly how interrupt-driven I/O works. | Processor issues an I/O command to a module and then does another jobs. When the module is ready to be served it sends an interrupt. |
| What are the trade-offs that determine the size of the cache memory. | The size of the cache is determined by speed, cost and size. |
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