IB Computer Science (Topic 2)

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A hardware component of a computer system that performs basic arithmetic, logic, and input/output operations in order to process data from input devices into useful information

Control Unit (CU)

A component of the CPU that is responsible for the operation of the CPU. It also controls the retrieval of instructions from the primary memory and the sequence of their execution

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

A component of the CPU that performs basic arithmetic and logic operations

Register

A very small and high-speed block of memory within the CPU

Random Access Memory (RAM)

A volatile general-purpose storage area that stores data and instructions that the computer has loaded since starting up

Read Only Memory (ROM)

A non-volatile storage area used to store data and instructions which cannot be overwritten

Cache

A small and high-speed storage area placed between the CPU and RAM used to store frequently used data

Machine Instruction Cycle

Fetch, decode, execute, store

Secondary Memory

A relatively slow non-volatile memory that may be written to

The need for secondary storage

Persistence, capacity, cost-effectiveness

Operating System

A set of software that controls the computer’s hardware resources and provides services to computer programs

Database

An organised collection of data

Software Application (For writing)

Word Processor

Software Application (For analyzing data)

Spreadsheet

Software Application (For users to connect with databases)

Database management system

Software Application (To use the WWW)

Web browser

Software Application (Exchanging digital messages)

Email

Common GUI Elements

Toolbar, menu, and dialogue box

Bit (Binary Digit)

The smallest unit of data in computing, representing a value of either 0 or 1

Byte

A group of 8 bits