Kigali Independent University (ULK)

Department of Computer Science

Module of computer architecture

Year 3 CS/DAY

QUESTIONS REVIEW and answers

Instructions:

- Try to revise and respond to all of these questions for your preparation
- Don’t fail to try but, Try and fail

1. Describe on computer generation timeline

 First Generation (1940s-1950s): Vacuum tube computers, e.g., ENIAC.
 Second Generation (1950s-1960s): Transistors replace vacuum tubes, smaller
and faster computers.
 Third Generation (1960s-1970s): Integrated circuits (ICs) introduced, leading to
smaller and cheaper computers.
 Fourth Generation (1970s-1980s): Microprocessors enable personal computers
(PCs) and increased computing power.
 Fifth Generation (1980s-Present): Advancements in AI, robotics, and parallel
processing.
 Sixth Generation (Future): Speculative, could involve quantum computing or
other advanced technologies.
2. Make a difference between computer organization with computer architecture?
Computer Organization: Focuses on how operational attributes are
implemented, like data paths, control signals, memory hierarchies.
Computer Architecture: Concerned with the structure and behavior of computer
systems as seen by the programmer, including instruction set design,
addressing modes, and CPU design.

3. Mention any five characteristics of Memory Hierarchy.

 Five characteristics of Memory Hierarchy:
1. Hierarchy Levels: It consists of multiple levels of memory, typically including cache,
main memory (RAM), and secondary storage (disk or SSD).
2. Speed: Memory levels are arranged in decreasing order of speed, with faster but
more expensive memory closer to the processor.
3. Capacity: Each level has a different capacity, with higher levels having smaller
capacities but faster access times.
4. Cost: Memory levels vary in cost per byte, with faster memory technologies
generally being more expensive.
5. Access Time: Access time increases as you move down the hierarchy, meaning faster
access times for higher levels and slower access times for lower levels.
4. Classify and distinguish computers according to their technologies
Computers can be classified based on architecture (e.g., von Neumann, Harvard) or
technology (e.g., analog, digital, quantum).
5. Explain three categories of I/O devices
Three Categories of I/O Devices
 Input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse)
 Output devices (e.g., monitor, printer)
 Storage devices (e.g., hard drives, SSDs

6. Before explaining types of bus, what is the role of bus in computer system?
Role of Bus in Computer System
 The bus serves as a communication pathway, transferring data and control signals
between various components like CPU, memory, and peripherals.

7. Describe four basic methods used for communicating with an I/O device
Four Basic Methods for Communicating with an I/O Device
 Programmed I/O
 Interrupt-driven I/O
 Direct Memory Access (DMA)
 Memory-mapped

8. Discuss on different techniques for performing I/O

Different Techniques for Performing I/O
 Programmed I/O: CPU manages data transfer between I/O devices and memory.
 Interrupt-driven I/O: I/O device interrupts CPU when data is ready for transfer.
 Direct Memory Access (DMA): Specialized hardware transfers data directly between
memory and I/O device without CPU intervention.
9. What are the 3 techniques used to communicate with I/O devices?
Three Techniques Used to Communicate with I/O Devices
 Programmed I/O
 Interrupt-driven I/O
 Direct Memory Access (DMA)

10. List the steps in the instruction cycle

Steps in the Instruction Cycle
 Fetch: Retrieve instruction from memory.
 Decode: Interpret the instruction's opcode and operands.
 Execute: Perform the instruction's operation.
 Writeback: Store results back to memory or registers.

11. Differentiate Isolated vs. Memory-Mapped I/O

 Isolated I/O: Separate I/O space distinct from memory space.
 Memory-Mapped I/O: I/O devices are mapped into memory address space.
12. Explain what is meant by “decode an instruction”
Decode an instruction involves interpreting the opcode and operands to
determine the operation to be performed
13.List and discuss the factors of a good computer performance.
Factors of Good Computer Performance
 Processor speed and efficiency
 Memory capacity and speed
 Storage speed and type (e.g., SSD vs. HDD)
 System architecture and bus speed
 Software optimization and task scheduling

14. Explain latency and throughput

 Latency: Time delay between the initiation of a process and its completion.
 Throughput: Rate of processing or transferring data over time.
15.Distinguish between Von Neumann computer architecture and Harvard computer
architecture.
 Von Neumann: Single shared memory for both data and instructions.
 Harvard: Separate memory spaces for data and instructions, allowing simultaneous
access.

16.With help of neat diagrams, describe Direct Memory Access (DMA) operation for
communicating with I/0 devices.
 DMA allows I/O devices to transfer data directly to/from memory without involving
the CPU.
Diagram: Direct Memory Access Operation
17.Distinguish between Instruction Register (IR) and Program Counter (PC) register
 IR holds the currently fetched instruction.
 PC holds the address of the next instruction to be fetched.
18.Distinguish latency from throughput in terms of computer performance.
Latency: Time taken to complete a single task or operation.
Throughput: Rate at which tasks or operations can be completed over time.
19.Explain different types of computer memories
 Primary memory (RAM)
 Secondary memory (HDD, SSD)
 Cache memory
 Register memory
20.Briefly, write the main role of a register in Central Processing Unit (CPU)?
Registers in the CPU are used to store temporary data and operands for arithmetic
and logic operations.
They facilitate quick access to data for processing.
21.Distinguish between Instruction Register (IR) and Program Counter (PC) register.
IR holds the currently fetched instruction.
PC holds the address of the next instruction to be fetched.
22.Distinguish latency from bandwidth in terms of computer performance.
 Latency: Time delay between initiating a task and its completion.
 Bandwidth: Rate of data transfer over a communication channel.
23.Briefly, describe the stages of the system instruction cycle.
Fetch: Retrieve instruction from memory.
Decode: Interpret the instruction's opcode and operands.
Execute: Perform the instruction's operation.
Writeback: Store results back to memory or registers.
24.Assume registers C, B, and A of a processor contain 34, 45, and 56 respectively. If the
processor pushes them onto the stack in the order C, then B, then A then pulls them
off the stack in the order B, then A, then C, what values do the registers contain
afterwards?
Values of Registers After Pushing and Pulling from Stack
 After pushing C, B, A onto the stack and then pulling B, A, C off the stack, the
registers will contain: A=34, B=45, C=56.

25.a. Describe any five disadvantages of computer system.

 Vulnerability to malware and hacking.
  Dependency on electricity and hardware reliability.
 Cost of maintenance and upgrades.
 Potential for data breaches and privacy concerns.
 Environmental impact of electronic waste.
26. We know that computer executes instructions depends on different steps which
must be involved for such activity. Explain machine cycle in detail.
Machine Cycle
 Machine cycle is the series of steps that a computer's central processing unit (CPU)
goes through to execute a single instruction.

27. a. Mention any five characteristics of Memory Hierarchy.

Memory Hierarchy Characteristics
a. Hierarchy Levels: Multiple levels of memory with varying access speeds and
capacities.
b. Speed: Decreasing order of access speed as you move down the hierarchy.
c. Capacity: Increasing capacity as you move down the hierarchy.
d. Cost: Increasing cost per byte as you move down the hierarchy.
e. Access Time: Decreasing access time as you move up the hierarchy.

b. Distinguish latency from throughput in terms of computer performance.

 Latency: Time delay between initiating and completing a task.
 Throughput: Rate of tasks completed per unit of time.

28.The RAM is a temporal storage area in the computer system that usually contains the
data that are being processed by the CPU. Briefly describe how the CPU and the
RAM interacts to carry out their operation.
The CPU interacts with RAM to fetch instructions and data needed for processing.
Instructions are fetched from RAM into CPU registers for execution.
Data is transferred between RAM and CPU registers for processing.

29.We know that computer executes instructions depends on different steps

Instruction Execution Steps
 Fetch: Retrieve instruction from memory.
 Decode: Interpret the instruction's opcode and operands.
 Execute: Perform the instruction's operation.
 Writeback: Store results back to memory or registers.

30.a. Briefly, describe the stages of the system instruction cycle.

a. Fetch: Retrieve instruction from memory.
b. Decode: Interpret the instruction's opcode and operands.
c. Execute: Perform the instruction's operation.
d. Writeback: Store results back to memory or registers.
b. Which must be involved for such activity. Explain machine cycle in detail.
 Machine cycle comprises the steps of fetching, decoding, executing, and storing
an instruction or data.
31. A bus is a high-speed internal connection. Buses are used to send control signals
and data between the processor and other components. Describe the types of bus.
 Address Bus: Carries memory addresses from CPU to memory.
 Data Bus: Transfers data between CPU, memory, and peripherals.
 Control Bus: Carries control signals for coordination of activities between
components.
32.a) List and discuss the factors of a good computer performance.
a. Processor speed and efficiency
b. Memory capacity and speed
c. Storage speed and type
d. System architecture and bus speed

b) Classify and distinguish computers according to their technologies

 Analog computers: Process continuous data using physical phenomena.
 Digital computers: Process discrete data using binary representation.
 Quantum computers: Utilize quantum bits for computation, offering potential for
exponential speedup.

33.a. Briefly, describe the stages of the system instruction cycle.

Stages: Fetch, Decode, Execute, Writeback.

b. Discuss on different ways in which data may be transferred to and from the CPU
and I/O devices.
Data Transfer Methods: Programmed I/O, Interrupt-driven I/O, Direct Memory
Access (DMA).

34. Some of the most important pieces of data stored in the RAM are the instructions
which basically tells the CPU what to do at a particular time. Explain the concept of
Instruction Set in the CPU and how it works.
Instruction Set and CPU
 Instruction Set: Collection of commands understood by a CPU, defining its
capabilities and operations.
 CPU executes instructions by fetching, decoding, and executing them based on the
instruction set architecture.

35.a. What are the main differences between a multi-processor system and a multi-
computer system?
Differences Between Multi-processor and Multi-computer Systems
 Multi-processor: Multiple CPUs share memory and peripherals in a single system.
 Multi-computer: Independent computers connected via a network, each with its own
memory and peripherals.

b. Explain the binary representation of instructions?

Binary Representation of Instructions
 Instructions are represented in binary format using bits to encode different
operations and operands.
36. a. Explain the difference between digital computer and analog computer.
Digital Computer: Processes discrete data using binary representation.
Analog Computer: Processes continuous data using physical phenomena.

b. What is meant by pipelining in computer architecture?

Pipelining: Technique where multiple instructions are overlapped in execution to
improve throughput.

37. a. The RAM is a temporal storage area in the computer system that usually
contains the data that are being processed by the CPU. Briefly describe how the
CPU and the RAM interacts to carry out their operation.
CPU-RAM Interaction a. The CPU communicates with RAM to fetch instructions
and data for processing. b. RAM holds the data and instructions needed for the CPU
to execute tasks.

b. Briefly, write the main role of a register in Central Processing Unit (CPU)?

 Registers in the CPU are small, fast storage locations used to hold data temporarily
during processing.

 They are essential for storing operands, intermediate results, and memory
addresses.

38.a. Explain if the internal bus connects only register within the CPU, how would you
get data to and from memory?
Internal Bus and Data Transfer
 If the internal bus connects only registers within the CPU, data transfer to and from
memory occurs through the external data bus.
 The CPU sends memory read/write requests via the external bus, and data is
transferred between RAM and CPU registers through this bus

b. Discuss on classification of computer according to purpose.

 General-purpose computers: Designed for various tasks, such as personal

computers and laptops.
 Special-purpose computers: Built for specific applications, like embedded systems
or supercomputers.

Good application