The CPU | 1.1a | OCR GCSE Computer Science

14 flashcards

What is a computer?: An electrical device that takes an input, processes data, and delivers output.
What is a computer program?: A set of instructions with the intention of performing a task or solving a problem.
In what forms can a computer program be written?: In programming language or pseudocode.
How does a computer carry out its function?: Through fetching instructions, decoding them, then executing them (FDE cycle).
The CPU: The brain of the computer.
What is the purpose of the CPU?: To process data and execute instructions.
What are the 4 components in the CPU? (von Neumann Architecture): - Control Unit (CU) - Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) - Registers - Cache
What is a key feature of von Neumann Architecture?: Both data and instructions are stored in the same memory (RAM).
What does the Control Unit (CU) do?: - Sends signals to control hardware. - Controls how data flows in (and out) the CPU. - Decodes instructions during the FDE cycle.
What does the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) do?: - Performs mathematical calculations. - Logical operations (e.g. AND, OR, NOT). - Binary shifts.
How does the ALU carry out multiplication and division?: Through repeated addition or subtraction.
Where are the results of calculations performed by the ALU stored?: In a register called the accumulator.
What are Registers?: Small, temporary storage locations inside the CPU for data or instructions.
Cache memory: - Stores frequently access data and instructions. It is faster for the CPU to access (fetch) than RAM.