Assessment statement
Obj
Teacher’s notes
Explanations
Computer architecture
2.1.1
Outline the architecture of the central processing unit (CPU) and the functions of the arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and the control unit (CU) and the registers within the CPU.
2
Students should be able to reproduce a block diagram showing the relationship between the elements of the CPU, input and output and storage. The memory address register (MAR) and memory data register (MDR) are the only ones that need to be included.
CPU : The CPU executes programs, which are
stored as numbers representing Machine
Language Instructions. The Control Unit
manages communication with the memory (RAM and ROM). It must FETCH instructions from the memory.
After DECODING the
instruction, the ALU must perform the command,
performing Arithmetic (+,*,-,/) or Logic (and, or,...)
operations. The result of the operation
is placed in the ACCUMULATOR
(a CPU register).
Then the CU might send a result back to the RAM.
Data Retrieval : The Memory Address Register contains the address (location) of a byte in the memory. This is transmitted over the Address Bus. After that the RAM finds the data and sends it back over the Data Bus, and the value is stored in the Memory Data Register.
Data Storage : Same as Retrieval, but the data flows in the other direction over the Data Bus.
2.1.2
Describe primary memory.
2
Distinguish between random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM), and their use in primary memory.
Primary memory contains:
- data like numbers, images, text (ASCII codes), etc
- machine code instructions for running programs
- basic start-up routines
ROM =
Read Only Memory,
permanently encoded on a
dedicated
chip, contains BIOS
(Basic
Input/Output System) that runs low level
routines
when the machine is starting
RAM =
this is where data and programs are stored
This
is volatile (temporary) - that means it will erase
itself when the power is turned off
2.1.3
Explain the use of cache memory.
3
Students should be able to explain the effect of cache memory in speeding up the system as well as being able to explain how it is used.
Cache
Memory is a small amount of RAM located between
the CPU and the
RAM. This is faster
(and more expensive) than RAM. It is used as a buffer to temporarily store
small amounts of data and/or program
instructions. As long as needed data is
found in cache, the CPU can get it's data more
quickly and hence run faster. This is especially sensible if a program contains a loop, so the same instruction run over and over again.
2.1.4
Explain the machine instruction cycle.
3
This should include the role of data bus and address bus.
Data Bus and Address Bus are explained in 2.1.1
Secondary memory
2.1.5
Identify the need for persistent storage.
2
Persistent storage is needed to store data in a non-volatile device during and after the running of a program.
LINK Consequences of data loss.
TOK If there are no consequences of data loss, why is it stored.
TOK There is no such thing as persistent storage.
AIM 9 An appreciation of the issues related to both the ever increasing amount of data and a need to retain it.
Secondary Storage is a permanent storage device, such as hard-disk, tape, CD/DVD, cloud storage. This is the place to permanently store software, media files and data files. This is non-volatile - not erased when the power goes off.
This is needed in any device where the power is shut off and turned back on regularly. If a device is supposed to run constantly (24/7) without shutting down, it MIGHT function without Secondary Storage. But realistically, even an Air-Traffic-Control system needs a backup copy of it's software because it does occasionally need to shut down for maintenance.
Secondary storage is also used as Virtual Memory - to simulate primary storage when the memory is full.
Operating systems and application systems
2.1.6
Describe the main functions of an operating system.
2
This is confined to a single-user operating system. Technical details are not needed. For example, memory management should be described but how this is handled in a multitasking environment is not expected.
The main issue here is to recognize the different RESPONSIBILITIES of the OS as opposed to Applications.
Operating System :
- memory management
To load software, the OS must find enough free RAM, then
copy the program from secondary memory to primary mem
- multi-tasking
The computer can have multiple programs loaded and
"running". They don't actually run simultaneously. The OS
must manage program execution so
that one program runs
briefly (say 10 ms) and then a
different program runs briefly
and then a different one - this
is called "time-slicing".
Some systems allow one program to have "priority" over
another. Some
unimportant programs run "in the
background", like a cloud-storage-synchronization process.
It runs whenever nothing
important is going on.
- device drivers
The OS provides a control-interface. Applications make a
request,
like to use a printer. The app sends data to the
OS, then the OS controls the
printer and transmits the data.
This
means that applications don't need to control devices
directly, so the
application can be simpler. This also
provides standardization
for controlling the devices.
- user interface (GUI or CLI)
The OS takes care of drawing all the
windows and other
GUI controls, as well as
accepting keyboard input
and
producing visual output. Applications use
OS modules
to control these devices.
This provides a standard
"look
and feel" for the specific platform.
Applications -
Applications
implement the actual LOGIC
for useful tasks.
For example, a word-processor takes care of
choosing fonts,
copying and pasting, etc. But the
actual keyboard input,
display, file management and printer management are
done by the OS.
2.1.7
Outline the use of a range of application software.
2
Application software should include word processors, spreadsheets, database management systems, email, web browsers, computer-aided design (CAD) and graphic processing software.
word-processor - writing documents
spreadsheet - business calculations
database - stores and organizes large quantities of data
email - sending "mail" to other people
web browser - retrieve and render web-pages
CAD - draw technical diagrams, for engineers and architects
graphics - photo editing, video editing
2.1.8
Identify common features of applications.
2
Including toolbars, menus, dialogue boxes, graphical user interface (GUI) components.
Students should understand that some features are provided by the application software and some by the operating system.
S/E This improves usability for a wide range of users.
AIM 9 An appreciation of the improvements associated with developments in application software.
WIMP = Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointer (GUI OS)
GUI Componenets =
Buttons, text-boxes, media, lists, menus
Binary represen-
tation
2.1.9
Define the terms: bit, byte, binary, denary/decimal, hexadecimal.
1
bit = true/false , 1/0 = BInary digiT
Byte = 8 bits = 0 … 255
binary = number system Base 2, using bits
denary/decimal = base 10
hexadecimal = base 16 using 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,A,B,C,D,E,F
2.1.10
Outline the way in which data is represented in the computer.
2
To include strings, integers, characters and colours. This should include considering the space taken by data, for instance the relation between the hexadecimal representation of colours and the number of colours available.
TOK, INT Does binary represent an example of a lingua franca?
S/E, INT Comparing the number of characters needed in the Latin alphabet with those in Arabic and Asian languages to understand the need for Unicode.
numbers = stored in binary, usually displayed in hexadecimal
characters = stored in ASCII (8 bits) or UNICODE (16 bits)
colours = 24 bit = True Color = Red/Green/Blue 1 Byte each
2^24 = 16 million colors
Simple logic gates
2.1.11
Define the Boolean operators: AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR and XOR.
1
LINK Introduction to programming, approved notation sheet.
Learn
the truth tables :
A B not A A and B A nand B (opposite of and)
0 0 1 0 1
0 1 1 0 1
1 0 0 0 1
1 1 0 1 0
A B A or B(inclusive) A nor B A xor B(exclusive)
0 0 0 1 0
0 1 1 0 1
1 0 1 0 1
1 1 1 0 0 (the exclusive part)
2.1.12
Construct truth tables using the above operators.
3
For example, Maria won’t go to school if it is cold and raining or she has not done her homework.
Not more than three inputs are used.
LINK Thinking logically.
TOK Reason as a way of knowing.
C = Cold R = Raining H = Homework
C R H C and R not H (C and R) or not H = not S S
0 0 0 0 1 1 0
0 0 1 0 0 0 1
0 1 0 0 1 1 0
0 1 1 0 0 0 1
1 0 0 0 1 1 0
1 0 1 0 0 0 1
1 1 0 1 1 1 0
1 1 1 1 0 1 0
2.1.13
Construct a logic diagram using AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR and XOR gates.
3
Problems will be limited to an output dependent on no more than three inputs.
The gate should be written as a circle with the name of the gate inside it. For example:
LINK Thinking logically, connecting computational thinking and program design, introduction to programming.
Not enough space here