Computer Architecture is the study of the design, organization, and functions of computers. It encompasses everything from the design of the instruction set to the intricacies of a computer’s hardware components. Let’s dive into 25 multiple-choice questions to test and enhance your knowledge.
1. Which part of the computer temporarily holds program instructions and data?
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RAM (Random Access Memory) temporarily holds data and instructions that the CPU can access quickly. It's volatile, meaning data is lost when the power is turned off.
2. Which component performs all the arithmetic and logical operations?
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The ALU is responsible for all arithmetic and logical operations. It's a core component of the CPU.
3. Which of the following is a non-volatile memory?
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ROM (Read-Only Memory) retains its contents even when the power is turned off, making it non-volatile.
4. Pipelining is a technique where:
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Pipelining divides instruction processing into stages, with each stage being handled by a different segment of the CPU. It allows for increased throughput as multiple instructions can be processed simultaneously.
5. What is the primary purpose of cache memory?
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Cache memory provides high-speed volatile storage accessible to the CPU. It stores frequently used data, making data access faster compared to accessing the main memory.
6. In which architecture is the data bus width different from the address bus width?
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In Harvard Architecture, the data bus and address bus have separate pathways, allowing different widths and potentially simultaneous access.
7. Which architecture focuses on executing many instructions simultaneously?
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MIMD architecture allows for multiple instructions on multiple data sets to be executed in parallel.
8. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing)?
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RISC focuses on a smaller set of simple instructions, aiming for faster performance.
9. Which level of cache memory is closest to the CPU?
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L1 cache is integrated within the CPU chip itself and is the fastest but also the smallest.
10. Which of the following is a primary function of the Control Unit?
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The Control Unit manages and coordinates the activities of the computer. It directs the operation of the processor.
11. Fetch, Decode, and Execute are phases of:
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The Instruction Cycle, often referred to as the fetch-decode-execute cycle, represents the steps a computer takes to retrieve, understand, and enact instructions.
12. Which of the following storage devices can store maximum data?
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Among the given options, a Blu-ray Disc has the highest storage capacity, often ranging from 25GB to 128GB, depending on the number of layers.
13. In which memory is the data lost when the computer is turned off?
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RAM is volatile memory, meaning its contents are lost when the power is turned off.
14. Which type of memory is used to store BIOS?
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BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is stored in ROM, specifically in a type called EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory).
15. Parallel processing is a feature of:
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MIMD (Multiple Instruction, Multiple Data) involves multiple processors executing different instructions on different data simultaneously.
16. Which of the following is a type of RAM?
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SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) is a type of RAM that holds its content until power is connected, without the need for refreshing, unlike DRAM.
17. Which component connects the CPU to other parts of the computer?
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The bus acts as a communication system for transferring data between the CPU and other components such as RAM, hard drives, and I/O devices.
18. Little-endian and big-endian are terms related to:
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Little-endian and big-endian refer to byte ordering or how multibyte data is stored in memory. In little-endian, the least significant byte is stored first, while in big-endian, the most significant byte is stored first.
19. What is the function of the registers in a CPU?
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Registers are small, fast storage locations within the CPU that temporarily hold data and instructions that are being used by the ALU.
20. The term "clock cycle" refers to:
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A clock cycle is a single oscillation or pulse of the CPU's clock. It represents the time taken to execute a basic operation.
21. Which of the following is a secondary storage device?
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Hard drives are secondary storage devices that store data permanently. They're non-volatile and retain data even when the power is turned off.
22. What does ISA stand for in computer architecture?
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ISA (Instruction Set Architecture) represents the part of a computer's architecture related to programming, including the native data types, instructions, registers, and memory addressing.
23. Which of the following architectures relies heavily on parallel execution units?
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EPIC focuses on using parallel processing. Instructions are scheduled by the compiler, and the architecture uses multiple execution units to process instructions simultaneously.
24. Which of the following terms is associated with "powering up" a computer system?
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Booting refers to the process of loading the operating system into RAM when a computer is powered on or restarted.
25. Virtual memory is:
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Virtual memory allows a computer to use hard disk space as an extension of RAM. When RAM is full, data that isn't immediately needed is temporarily moved to the hard disk.