Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science - Hardware and Software

Comprehensive question-and-answer revision flashcards covering Section 3 (Hardware) and Section 4 (Software) of the Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0984 syllabus.

What is the primary role of the central processing unit (CPU) in a computer?

The CPU processes instructions and data that are input into the computer so that the result can be output.

What is meant by a microprocessor?

A microprocessor is a type of integrated circuit on a single chip.

What are the specific CPU units, registers, and buses in a computer with a Von Neumann architecture?

Units: arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and control unit (CU); Registers: program counter (PC), memory address register (MAR), memory data register (MDR), current instruction register (CIR), and accumulator (ACC); Buses: address bus, data bus, and control bus.

Which three factors can affect the performance of a CPU?

The number of cores, the size of the cache, and the speed of the clock.

What is an instruction set for a CPU?

An instruction set is a list of all the commands that can be processed by a CPU, and the commands are machine code.

How does an embedded system differ from a general purpose computer?

An embedded system is used to perform dedicated functions (for example, in domestic appliances, cars, security systems, lighting systems, or vending machines), whereas a general purpose computer is used to perform many different functions (for example, in a personal computer or a laptop).

What are the three types of touch screens specified in the syllabus?

Resistive, capacitive, and infra-red.

What types of sensors are specified in the Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science syllabus?

Acoustic, accelerometer, flow, gas, humidity, infra-red, level, light, magnetic field, moisture, pH, pressure, proximity, and temperature.

What is the key difference between primary storage and secondary storage in terms of CPU access?

Primary storage is directly accessed by the CPU, whereas secondary storage is not directly accessed by the CPU and is necessary for more permanent storage of data.

How does magnetic storage operate to store, read, and write data?

Magnetic storage uses platters which are divided into tracks and sectors, and data is read and written using electromagnets (e.g., hard disk drive or HDD).

How does optical storage operate to read and write data, and what are its examples?

Optical storage uses lasers to create and read pits and lands. Examples include CD, DVD, and Blu-ray.

What technology is used in solid-state (flash memory) storage?

Solid-state storage uses NAND or NOR technology, where transistors are used as control gates and floating gates (examples include solid-state drive (SSD), SD card, and USB drive).

How is virtual memory used in conjunction with RAM?

Pages of data are transferred between RAM and virtual memory when needed.

What is a MAC address, how is it represented, and how is it constructed?

A media access control (MAC) address is given to a network interface card (NIC) at the point of manufacture, is usually written as hexadecimal, and is created using the manufacturer code and the serial code.

How is an IP address allocated, and what types can it be?

An IP address is allocated by the network, can be static or dynamic, and includes versions IPv4 and IPv6.

What are three primary roles of a router in a network?

A router sends data to a specific destination on a network, can assign IP addresses, and can connect a local network to the internet.

What is the difference between system software and application software?

System software provides the services that the computer requires (including operating system and utility software), while application software provides the services that the user requires.

What hierarchy is required to run application software in relation to hardware, firmware, and the operating system?

Applications are run on the operating system, the operating system is run on the firmware, and the bootloader (firmware) is run on the hardware.

What are examples of software interrupts and hardware interrupts?

Software interrupts include division by zero and two processes trying to access the same memory location; hardware interrupts include pressing a key on the keyboard and moving the mouse.

What is assembly language, and what translator does it require?

Assembly language is a form of low-level language that uses mnemonics, and an assembler is needed to translate an assembly language program into machine code.

How do a compiler and an interpreter differ in how they translate code and report errors?

A compiler translates the whole code at once before executing it, producing an executable file, and provides an error report for the whole code if errors are detected. An interpreter translates and executes the code line-by-line and stops execution when an error is found.

When are interpreters and compilers typically used during software development?

An interpreter is mostly used when developing a program, and a compiler is used to translate the final program.

What common functions and tools are provided by an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)?

Code editors, run-time environment, translators, error diagnostics, auto-completion, auto-correction, and prettyprint.