Chapter 3: Hardware
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Define CPU Central processing unit
responsible for the execution or processing of all the instructions and data in a computer
Define Von Neumann Architecture
a type of computer architecture which introduced the concept of the stored program in the 1940s
Define ALU
the component of the CPU that carries out all arithmetic and logical operations
Define ACC [Accumulatr]
temporary general-purpose register that stores numerical values at any part of a given operation
Define MAR (memory address register)
a register that stores the address of the memory location currently being read from or written to
Define CIR [current instruction register ]
a register that stores the current instruction being decoded and executed
Define MDR [memory data register]
a register that stores data that has just been read from memory or data that is about to be written to memory
Define PC [Program couunter]
a register that stores the address where the next instruction to be read can be found
Define control unit
the component of a computer’s CPU that ensures synchronisation of data flow and programs throughout the computer by sending out control signals along the control bus
Define system clock
produces timing signals on the control bus to ensure synchronisation takes place
Define clock cycle
s temporary memory using static RAM to hold frequently used data/instructions by the CPU thereby increasing CPU performance. More generally, cache means any area of storage used to quickly access frequently-used data - other examples include web cache, database cache, DNS cache
Define register
a temporary component in the CPU which can be general or specific in its use; it holds data or instructions as part of the Fetch–Decode–Execute cycle
Define address
a label for a memory location used by the CPU to track data
Define memory location
a numbered place in memory where values can be stored
Define system bus
a connection between major components in a computer that can carry data, addresses or control signals
Define address bus
the system bus that carries the addresses throughout the computer system
Define data bus
the system bus that allows data to be carried from CPU to memory (and vice versa) or to and from input/ output devices
Define control bus
– the system bus that carries signals from control unit to all other computer components
Define unidirectional
can travel in one direction only
Define bidirectional
can travel in both directions;
Define over clocking
changing the clock speed of a system clock to a value higher than the factory/recommended setting
Define core
a unit on a CPU made up of an ALU, control unit and registers
Define dual core
A CPU containing 2 cores
Define Fetch-Execute-Decode
– a cycle in which instructions and data are fetched from memory, decoded and finally executed