computer organization

logic gates

NOT, AND, OR , XOR, NAND, NOR

operating system

a software program that provides an interface between the user and the computer and manages application software installed on the computer

data bus

a system bus that carries data to/from the cpu, memory, and peripherals

address bus

a system bus that establishes a connection between the CPU and memory which carry the address to/from which the CPU wishes to read or write.

control bus

a system bus that is used by the CPU to communicate with other devices within the computer. Carries the commands from the cpu and returns status signals from the devices

byte

a unit of measurement in computing. 1 byte = 8 bits

registers

a very small amount of very fast memory that is built into the cpo in order to speed up its operations by providing quick access to commonly used values. All processors include some common type of these used for specific functions.

execute

actually process the command

binary numbers

all data in the computer is represented in ______ ______

system bus

comprised of the control bus, data bus and address bus. Used for connections betwee nthe processor, memory and peripherals and transferal of data between the various parts

primary memory

computer memory that is accessed directly by the CPU, includes serveral type of memory including the processor cache and system ROM. In most cases the primary memory refers to the system RAM

application software

consists of programs designed to perform specific tasks for users. Examples include word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems, etc.

control unit

controls the movement of instructions in and out of the processor, and also controls the operation of the ALU. Consists of a decoder, control logic circuits, and a clock to ensure everything happens at the correct time.

truth table

defines the function of a gate by listing all possible input combinations that the gate could encounter along with corresponding output

machine cycle

fetch, decode, execute, store

managing resources

function of the operating system; coordinates all the computer's resources including keyboard, mouse, printer, monitor, storage and memory

running applications

function of the operating system; loads and runs applications such as word processors and games

user interface

function of the operating system; users interact with application programs and computer hardware through this

fetch

get an instruction from cache or memory

memory buffer register

holds the contents of data or instruction read from or written to memory

memory address register

holds the memory addresses of data and instructions and is used to access this memory during the execution phase of an instruction

memory

housed on the motherboard. Here the program being executed is stored and as such is a crucial part of the overall stucture involved in program execution

Arithmetic logic unit

part of the central processing unit that deals with operations such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication of integers and Boolean operations. It receives control signals from the control unit telling it to carry out these operations

RAM

random access memory, consists of one or more memory modules that temporarily store data while a computer is running. Volatile

ROM

read only memory; holds instructions for starting up the computer. Cannot be written to. Non-volatile which means it won't be erased when the computer is off

decode

translate it into computer commands (machine language)

store

write the result to memory

but

a digit in the binary number system, two values 1 or 0

boolean expressions

a form of algebraic notation to demonstrate the activity of an electrical circuit. C = A AND B OR NOT A

logic diagram

a graphical representation of a circuit. The words with circles around them including AND OR etc

hexadecimal

number system based on sixteen digits; also known as base 16

decimal

number system based on ten digits, also known as base 10

cache memory

small high-speed memory that improves the performance of a CPU by storing needed data closer in both time and distance to where its needed

persistent storage

such as a hard drive, is needed because RAM is temporary memory and is erased when the computer is turned off or a program is closed, also known as secondary storage

central processing unit

the key component of a computer system, which contains the circuitry necessary to interpret and execute program instructions. Includes the ALU, CU, registers, system buses, and memory