CS DP1

What is software?

Software is a collection of programs and applications that instruct the hardware on how to perform tasks and operations.

What is data in computer systems?

Data refers to the information processed or stored by a computer, which can include numbers, text, images, and other types of content.

CPU

The Central Processing Unit; executes instructions and performs basic arithmetic, logic, and control operations.

Control Unit

The part of the CPU that manages and coordinates all computer operations.

Arithmetic Logic Init

The component of the CPU that performs arithmetic and logical calculations.

Resgiters

Small, fast storage locations in the CPU used to hold temporary data and instructions.

Instruction Register

A register that stores the current instruction being executed.

Progrm Counter

A register that holds the memory address of the next instruction to execute.

Memory Adress Register

Holds the address in memory where data will be read or written.

Memory Data Register

Holds the actual data being transferred to or from memory.

Accumulator(AC)

A register used to store results of arithmetic and logic operations.

Buses

Communication pathways that transfer data, addresses, and control signals.

Control Bus

Carries control signals between the CPU and other components.

Data Bus

Transfers actual data between components.

Adress Bus

Carries memory addresses for reading/writing data.

Cores

Independent processing units inside a CPU.

Single-Core Processor

A CPU with one processing core.

Multi-Core Procesor

A CPU with two or more processing cores.

Co-Processor

A secondary processor that performs specialized tasks to assist the CPU.

GPU

Graphics Processing Unit; specialized for parallel processing and graphics tasks.

Deep Learning

A subset of AI using neural networks with many layers to learn patterns from large data.

Proof-of-work

A blockchain consensus method requiring computers to solve difficult math problems.

RAM

Random Access Memory; fast, volatile memory used for active processes.

V-RAM

Video RAM dedicated to storing graphical data for the GPU.

ROM

Read-Only Memory; permanent, non-volatile storage used for firmware.

Cache

High-speed memory that stores frequently accessed data for quick retrieval.

Volatile

Memory that loses its contents when power is turned off.

Cache Hit

When requested data is found in cache memory.

Cache Miss

When requested data is not found in cache and must be fetched from slower memory.

Multi-Core Architecutures

Systems that use multiple CPU cores to improve performance and parallelism.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Storage device using spinning magnetic disks.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

Storage device using flash memory; much faster than HDDs.

Embedded Multi Medica Card (eMMC)

Compact, slower flash storage used in mobile devices and budget laptops.

Optical Disk

Storage media that uses lasers to read/write data (e.g., CDs, DVDs).

Optical Drives

Hardware that reads/writes data on optical disks.

Memory Cards

Small flash storage for cameras, phones, and portable devices.

Network Attached Strogae (NAS)

A storage device connected to a network for shared file access.

Redudent Array of Independent Disks (RAID)

A system that combines drives for speed, redundancy, or both.

Lossless Compression

Reduces file size without losing any data.

Lossy Compression

Reduces file size by removing some data, reducing quality.

Statistical Redundency

Repeated patterns in data that can be compressed efficiently.

Run Length Encoding (RLE)

Compression method that stores repeated values as a single value plus count.

Low Frequency Data

Smooth or slowly changing data components (e.g., background colors).

High Frequency Data

Rapidly changing data components (e.g., edges, details, noise).

Transform Coding

Compression that converts data into frequency components (e.g., JPEG's DCT).

Software as a Service (SaaS)

Software applications over the internet

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Cloud platform that provides tools for building and deploying applications.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Virtualized computing resources over the internet