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