Computer Science System Architecture 1.1

What is the purpose and function of the CPU?

The purpose of the CPU is to process instructions and control the operation of the computer by carrying out the fetch-decode-execute cycle.

What is the fetch execute cycle?

The fetch-decode-execute cycle is:

Fetch: Get the instruction from memory.
Decode: Work out what the instruction means.
Execute: Carry out the instruction.

What is the Arithmetic Logic unit?

The ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) is the part of the CPU that does calculations and logical operations, such as addition, subtraction and comparisons.

What is the Control Unit?

The Control Unit (CU) controls the flow of data and instructions around the CPU.

What is Cache?

Cache is a small, fast memory that stores frequently used data and instructions so the CPU can access them quickly.

What are Registers?

Registers are small, fast storage locations inside the CPU that temporarily store data and instructions.

What is the Memory Address Register in terms of the von Neumann Architecture

The Memory Address Register (MAR) stores the address of the memory location that the CPU wants to access.

What is the Memory Data Register in terms of the Von Neumann Architecture

The Memory Data Register (MDR) stores the data or instructions being transferred to or from memory.

What is the Program Counter used for?

The Program Counter (PC) stores the address of the next instruction to be fetched from memory.

What is the Accumulator used for?

The Accumulator (ACC) temporarily stores the results of calculations and operations carried out by the CPU.