EA-1.1-1.2

1.1 Visible Computer

Computer: an electronic device that can perform calculations

  • PC Typically runs microsoft windows

  • Types: General purpose, specific purpose, device w/ comp inside

OS controls hardware & enables user to tell comp what to do

  • UI is interactable software 

  • GUI offers imgs+icons to select

  • Communicates with the hardware of the device

  • Creates a user interface (UI)

  • Enables users to determine available programs

  • Enables users to add, move, and delete programs and data

  • Provides a method to secure a system from threats

Applications

  • Allow u to do specialized tasks on comp

Computing Process

  • Input, Processing, Output

  • Data into comp (user), cpu tells hardware what to do (using os), shows the results (os)

  • Additional modern stages: data storage (saving permanent copy of work), network connection (1 comp connects to 1(+) comps)

Breaking down the computing process: 

  1. Power up the computer

  2. Processing parts prepare for action

  3. You provide input

  4. Processing parts process your command

  5. Processing parts sends output

  6. Output devices show results

  7. Repeat Steps 3–6 (as needed)

  8. Save your work

  9. Power down the computer

Diff UIs

  • Windows 10: traditional modern mix

  • Mac OS X: supports spaces (multiple desktops)

  • Linux: desktop environments

File Structures

  • Tree pattern, root-drive/disc → folder/subfolder

    • Windows: root directory- where os installed, access files thru windows explorer

    • File extension- appears after file name

    • File association- tells os which application to use w/file

    • C:\Program Files (All Windows versions)- Default location for installing programs

    • C:\Users\Mike\Videos

    • Mac OS X: finder holds the key to files and folder (diff style, same func as windows)

    • Linux: same structure, home folder instead of users folder tho 

  • Drive letter designation (1 letter, A, B, (C))

Tech Launch Points

  • Windows 10: control panel, settings app

  • Mac OS X: system preferences, utilities folder

  • Linux: terminal-command line, unity (ubuntu desktop default)- system settings, gnome 3(def 4 fedora workstation, red hat enterprise linux)- all settings application, kde plasma desktop (def 4 OpenSUSE, kubuntu)- kickoff menu (~ windows start menu)


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Computing Software:  902 exam

Focuses on five Microsoft operating systems. Windows Vista, windows 7, windows 8, windows 8.1 and Windows mobile,  Apple Mac OS X  and iOS and Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Redhat.



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1.2 Microprocessors

CPU Core Components

  • Cpu works as v powerful calculator

  • EDB (external data bus) is communication device

    • Voltage applied to a little wire

    • Uses binary to communicate

    • Can be turned on and off from inside or outside

  • Registers

    • 4 general-purpose registers found in all: AX,BX,CX,DX

  • Codebook/Instruction Set

    • Commands called machine language

    • 1 command = 1 line of code

  • Clock Wire

    • Charge tells cpu it is time to work

    • Clock Cycle- time for clk wire to charge

    • 1 command = 2(+) clock cycles

    • Clock Speed- max num clock cycles cpu can handle in given time (measured in hertz- Hz, MHz, GHz)

  • System Crystal

    • Governs CPU running speed

    • Modern CPUs tell the motherboard the clock speed it needs, and the clock chip automatically adjusts.

    • Crystal can clock a CPU with a rated speed higher than the crystal, but the CPU will operate at the slower speed of the crystal.

      • A 1 GHz crystal can clock a 2 GHz CPU, but the CPU will operate only as fast as the crystal clock—1 GHz.

      • Underclocking means running a CPU slower than its rated clock speed—it does not take advantage of all the power of the CPU.

      • Overclocking means to run a CPU faster than its maximum clock speed—it can overheat the CPU.

  • Memory

    • Program is stored on the hard drive

    • Hard drives no fast enough for cpu, need ‘nother thigny

    • Devices that hold 1s 0s that the cpu accesses are called memory

    • Each memory line has address

    • RAM org like spreadsheet (each row holding 1 byte)

      • Transfers to and from cpu in byte-sized chunks

    • DRAM (digi ram) be da main memory

      • Circuits need constant electrical charge and to be refreshed to maintain data. (bc dynamiccccc)

    • CPU-RAM communicate thru da edb

    • MEMORY CONTROLLER CHIP (MCC) (cpus helper chip) to help data flow from ram 2 cpu

    • Address Bus- set of wires from edb

      • Enables cpu to control mcc (by choosing which code line)

      • Num wires determines max ram cpu can handle

  • Developers

    • Intel ON TOP (more like untop mwahah)

    • AMD also der, but like we ne’er heard so like ne’er actually der duhhh

    • BRAND NEW FULL THROTTLE- throttling- saving energy by making cpu run more slowly in light demand

    • CPUID (identifier) helps automatically let the cpu runs its actual speed, bc it faster dan de oder bros

Other Tidbits ith

  • Enables hardware-based virtualization support

  • Parallel execution thru multiple pipelines, dedicated cache, work w multiple threads/ programs at one time

  • Pipelining

    • Fetch- get data from edb

    • Decode- figure out what type of command needs to be executed

    • Execute- perform the calc

    • Write- send data back edb

  • Multi decode stages to reduce stalls

    • Allows alu + floating point unit (fpu) to work same time

  • Cache- reduces wait states thru static RAM (Sram)

  • Frontside bus= edb+address bus (connecting cpu/mcc/ram)

  • Backside bus= cpu/l2 cache connection

  • Multithreading- CPU simulates actions of 2nd processor

    • Enhances efficiency, not inc processing power

    • Multi-multithreading =hyperthreading

  • Dual-Core architecture

    • Multiple cpus/cores on 1 chip, shared caches+ram

  • Multicore processing

    • Cores independent of OX

    • Differs from Hyper-Threading, in which the OS and applications have to be written specifically to handle multiple threads

  • Integrated memory controller (IMC)

    • In most microprocessors

    • Chip- motherboard → cpu

    • Causes diff cpus to need diff ram capacities+types

  • Integrated Graphics Processing Unit

    • Video processing by GPU (graphics processing unit)

    • Ideal for mobiles

  • Security

    • NX bit tech in all modern processors

      • Enables cpu to protect certain sections of memory

      • Stawps malicious attacks from getting to essential os files

  • CPUs use heat sink+fan to prevent overheating (or liquid cooling)

    • Need to apply thermal paste when attaching cpu to heat sink

  • Overclocking

    • For proper cpu usage, motherboard speed/multiplier/voltage must be set properly

      • Cpuid does auto, or manual

    • Some people intentionally run their systems at clock speeds higher than the CPU was rated, a process called overclocking, to enhance performance.

      • Immediately voids warranties- lot of bad effects