Computer Data Types, Number Representation, Data Organization & Computer Architecture Review

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental data types, number systems, encoding standards, data structures, and computer architecture concepts.

Boolean

A data type that can only have TRUE or FALSE values.

Float

Represents numbers with decimal values and uses multiple bytes of data.

String

A sequence of characters, such as letters, numbers, or symbols (e.g., "Hello").

Char

Represents a single character (e.g., 'A', '7', '!').

Data

Raw facts or figures that can be processed.

Information

Processed data that has become meaningful or useful.

Binary Number System

A number representation system used by digital computers that uses only 0 and 1.

ON State

Represented by 1 in digital computer systems.

OFF State

Represented by 0 in digital computer systems.

Negative Numbers

Can be represented using complement systems, especially two's complement.

ASCII

A character encoding scheme; standard ASCII represents 128 characters.

Unicode

A character encoding standard that supports characters from many writing systems.

UCS-2

A character encoding that uses 2-byte units.

UCS-4

A character encoding that uses 4-byte units.

1 byte

A unit of data measurement equal to 8 bits.

Array

A collection occupying a consecutive block of memory cells; commonly stores elements of the same type.

File

A collection of similar records.

Field / Attribute

A related data element or item within a record.

Record

A group of related fields organized as one complete entry.

Cumulative Frequency Polygon

A graph used to determine median, quartiles, and percentiles.

Histogram

A graph showing a frequency distribution using bars.

X-axis

The horizontal axis of a graph.

Von Neumann Architecture

A computer architecture in which program instructions and data share the same memory.

1945

The year John von Neumann proposed the computer architecture design associated with the EDVAC first-draft report.

Register

A small, fast storage location inside the CPU.

Control Unit (CU)

Generates control signals and controls and coordinates computer operations.

ALU

Performs arithmetic and logical operations.

Memory

Stores data and instructions.

I/O Device

An interface between the computer and the external environment (such as a keyboard, mouse, or monitor) that allows communication.

PC (Program Counter)

A CPU register that contains the address of the next instruction to be executed.

IR (Instruction Register)

A CPU register that contains the current instruction being executed.

MAR (Memory Address Register)

A CPU register that holds the address of the memory location being accessed.

MDR (Memory Data Register)

A CPU register that holds data being transferred to or from memory.

TR (Temporary Register)

A CPU register that temporarily stores data during processing.

DR (Data Register)

A CPU register that holds data being processed or transferred.

TC (Terminal Count)

A CPU register or indicator that indicates completion/end of a counting operation.

FL (Input Flag)

A CPU register or indicator that indicates the status of an input operation/device.

Bus

A communication pathway through which information is shared between registers and other components.

Microprogramming

Implements the control unit using microinstructions stored in control memory.

Microprogram Sequencer

Determines the address sequence of microinstructions.

Decoder

Converts coded information into a form the system can interpret or use.