Computer Architecture and Software Concepts

These flashcards cover key concepts from computer architecture, processor types, data types, and software concepts to aid in exam preparation.

The FDE cycle consists of three main stages: Fetch, , and Execute.

Decode

The holds the address of the next instruction to be executed.

Program Counter (PC)

During the Fetch stage, the address from the PC is copied into the .

Memory Address Register (MAR)

The temporarily holds the instruction that is to be executed after being fetched from memory.

Current Instruction Register (CIR)

In the CPU, the performs arithmetic and logic operations.

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

The is a small, high-speed storage location that temporarily holds data, instructions, or addresses.

Register

The interprets instructions fetched from memory to control the execution of the program.

Control Unit (CU)

The bus is unidirectional and sends memory addresses from the CPU to RAM.

Address Bus

The architecture features separate memory locations and buses for instructions and data.

Harvard

In a architecture, the same memory is used for both instructions and data, which can cause bottlenecks.

Von Neumann

Increasing the clock speed of a CPU can lead to overheating if pushed beyond .

specification

refers to the simultaneous execution of multiple instructions by different cores in a CPU.

Parallel Processing

A common characteristic of processors is that they have a large and complex instruction set.

CISC

_ memory is volatile, meaning it loses its data when power is turned off.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

is the process of reducing the file size by removing non-essential data, often irreversibly.

Lossy Compression

In a relational database, a is a unique identifier for each record.

Primary Key

is the architecture model where each node has equal status and functions both as a client and a server.

Peer-to-Peer Model

Data transmitted over a WAN can be sent using which splits it into packets for efficiency.

Packet Switching

The model allows many users to share the resources of a single powerful machine.

Multi-user Model

encryption uses both public and private keys for secure data transmission.

Asymmetric

The advantages of using include fast development and user involvement, making it suitable for dynamic projects.

Agile Development