- (10 pts.)
Briefly compare and contrast software and the microprocessor.
Software runs on, and controls, the microprocessor. The microprocessor controls the rest of the computer; it executes programs (software). Software is to hardware as the mind is to the body. The microprocessor can be likened to the ``heart'' of the computer.
- (5 pts.)
Compare and contrast dot-matrix and laser printers.
Laser printers are faster, more costly, much quieter, and produce higher quality output than dot-matrix printers.
- (10 pts.)
The operating system and application programs are both software. What
distinguishes them? How do they interact?
The operating system is a layer of software between applications and the hardware. It provides various services to application programs, such as a filesystem for storing application datea.
- (5 pts.)
Convert the binary number
to decimal.
16 + 4 + 1 = 21
- (5 pts.)
What is the name of the code used for storing characters in a PC's memory?
Why is this code needed?
ASCII. It's needed because the computer only understand binary numbers. Therefore, characters must be represented by a binary code.
- (10 pts.)
In class, we discussed a four layer diagram showing how a user related to a
computer's hardware through software. Draw the diagram and briefly
describe the layers.
- Hardware is the physical computer: PC, workstation, mainframe,
etc.
- Operating system is just that: MS-DOS, Windows 95, Unix, etc.
- Application software is word processors, spreadsheets,
presentation graphics programs, etc.
- User is us.
- Hardware is the physical computer: PC, workstation, mainframe,
etc.
- (5 pts.)
What is pipelining and why is it used in microprocessors?
Pipelining is an assembly-line technique used to by some microprocessors to execute instructions more quickly. It enhances performance by enabling the microprocessor to execute programs more quickly.