Revision Guide

Revision Guide

1. CPU

   • Function
     • The CPU of a computer is a piece of hardware that carries out the instructions of a computer program. It follows the instructions of fetch-decode-execute.

2. Inputs

   • An input device that allows you to interact with and control the computer.
   • Examples of some inputs:
     • Mouse, Keyboard, Joystick and a mic

3. Outputs

   • An output device is any device that receives data from a computer and can usually be used for for display, projection, or physical reproduction.
   • Examples of some outputs:
     • 3D printer, Monitor, speaker and a GPS

4. Backing Storage

   • There are 3 different types of backing storage: Magnetic, Optical and Solid State.
     • Magnetic is storage like floppy disks and magnetic tape. They have a high capacity but there durability is low because after a while the tape stretches and corrupts data.
     • Optical storage is CD's and DVD's. They have a high capacity and a high durability.
     • Solid state is USB's and solid state drives. They have a high capacity and high durability.
   • any non-volatile data storage that will keep a computer's data even after the computer is powered off.

5. Cache Memory

   • It is random access memory that a computer microprocessor can access more quickly than it can access regular RAM. This memory is usually with the CPU chip or placed on a separate chip.

6. Virtual Memory

   • Virtual memory is memory that allows us to run more applications on the system than we have enough physical memory to support. Virtual memory is simulated memory that is written to a file on the hard drive.
   • Virtual memory is twice the size of the ram.