EDEXCEL IGCSE ICT FLASH CARDS

discuss 3 impacts of the size of RAM on users?

1. if the amount RAM is a lot this will allow users to run multiple programs at the same time. 2.if there is less space available in RAM users experience a big decrease in their system performance. 3.if some of the programs are closed this means there is some space available in RAM and as a result of that active programs move onto RAM this makes the users experience a bi improvement made on to their system.

name two types of ROM?

1.Erasable programmable read only memory(E PROM) 2.Electrically Erasable programmable read only memory(EEPROM)

name 3 types of memory ?

1.RAM 2.ROM 3.Flash memory

state 4 characteristics of flash memory?

1.flash memory is non volatile - this means data held in flash memory is not lost when the power is switched off. 2.it does not have any moving parts unlike hard disk drives and that is why they are given by the name solid state drives because they do not have any moving parts. 3.lower power consumption - flash drives consumes little power unlike hard disk drives 4.portable - you can move around with them from place to place.

state 4 characteristics of ROM?

1.stores data permanently 2.is non volatile 3.can not be upgraded 4.inexpensive

State 4 characteristics of RAM?

1.stores data temporarily 2.is volatile 3.can be upgraded 4.expensive

list 2 uses of flash memory ?

1.they are used as SSDs in laptop computers 2.they are used as removable storage in USB and SD cards.

what are the differences between E PROM AND EEPROM ?

E PROM - data stored on this can be erased by the exposion of UV lights. EEPROM - data stored is erased through by applying too much voltage .

the clock cycles are measured in units called what?

Hertz e.g. kHz

explain what is meant by the term RAM ?

RAM - is random access memory

explain the meaning of the term ROM?

ROM - this is read only memory

processor speed is measured in?

clock cycles per second

describe the processor cycle ?

during the processor cycle 1.instructions are fetch from RAM/Main memory. 2.after this , the instructions are decoded/converted into machine language which are usually in the form binary digits. 3.the final stage is to execution stage - which simply means turning/changing these machine language which are in the form binary digits into a high level of language which can easily be understood by human beings and now again the cycle has to begin and that is how CPU - spends its entire life.

name the type of computers that use RAM?

general purpose computers - these type of computers usually allow users to run multiple programs at the same time /store multiple programs at the same time e.g. mainframe computers.

explain why increasing the amount of RAM in a system improves the user experience?

increasing the amount of RAM means users can run multiple programs at the same time , this reduces the user's using virtual memory from secondary storage media such as hard disk drive which is much slower in terms of speed compared to RAM and this causes to experience better improvements made into their computer systems.

explain 2 reasons why the characteristics of flash memory makes it suitable for use as a secondary storage in smartphones?

it does not have any moving parts. it consumes less power .

name the type of computers that use ROM ?

single purpose computers - these type of computers usually allow users to run one program /store one program . e.g digital watches.

what is clock cycles per second?

this is the number of times per second that the processor carries out one or more instructions.

describe what virtual memory is and why it is used?

virtual memory is an area of memory storage where data is stored when there is no space available in RAM/when its full.