What is the primary function of an I/O system in a computer?
A Manage memory
B Store data
C Transfer data between CPU and peripherals
D Perform calculations
The I/O system facilitates the communication between the CPU and external devices (such as keyboards, displays, and storage devices). It enables data exchange between the computer and the outside world.
What does a bus in computer architecture do?
A Handles calculations
B Transfers data between components
C Stores data
D Manages power
A bus is a system of pathways used to transfer data, addresses, and control signals between the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices. It acts as the main communication medium within the system.
What is the role of parallel processing in computer systems?
A Execute multiple instructions simultaneously
B Process data sequentially
C Manage memory allocation
D Store multiple programs
Parallel processing involves the simultaneous execution of multiple tasks or instructions. It utilizes multiple processing units (cores) to increase computational power, reducing the overall time required for complex tasks.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a bus architecture?
A Requires no synchronization
B Multiple buses for each device
C Direct connection between devices
D Single communication channel for all components
In a bus architecture, a single communication path (bus) is shared among all components, including the CPU, memory, and I/O devices. It reduces complexity and allows for efficient communication, although it can become a bottleneck.
Which component of the computer system connects the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices?
A ALU
B Register
C Bus
D Control Unit
The bus is responsible for connecting the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices, allowing data, addresses, and control signals to be transferred between these components. It is a critical element of the computer architecture.
What type of processing system can handle multiple tasks at the same time?
A Parallel processing
B Pipeline processing
C Sequential processing
D Single‐core processing
Parallel processing involves using multiple processors or cores to perform computations simultaneously. This increases processing power and speeds up the execution of tasks, making it suitable for large‐scale computations and data‐heavy applications.
What is the primary purpose of a control bus in a computer system?
A Transfer memory addresses
B Transfer control signals
C Execute instructions
D Transfer data
The control bus carries control signals from the control unit to various components of the system, directing the operations of the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices. It helps synchronize and manage the flow of data.
What does a multi‐core processor allow a computer to do?
A Increase clock speed
B Use more RAM
C Execute tasks in parallel
D Store more data
Multi‐core processors have multiple processing units (cores) on a single chip. This allows them to execute multiple tasks simultaneously, improving performance, particularly for multitasking and parallel‐processing applications.
Which of the following is a disadvantage of using a bus architecture?
A Limited peripheral support
B Decreased data transfer rates
C Increased complexity
D Communication bottleneck
In a bus architecture, all components share the same communication path, which can lead to a bottleneck. As multiple components try to communicate over the same bus, the data transfer speed can slow down.
What does the term “synchronous processing” refer to in parallel processing?
A Tasks are executed in a sequential manner
B Tasks run independently
C Tasks are executed one by one
D All tasks are executed at the same time
In synchronous processing, tasks are executed in a predetermined sequence. Each task starts and finishes in sync, ensuring that one task is completed before the next one begins. It contrasts with asynchronous processing, where tasks can run independently.
What is the role of the data bus in a computer system?
A Execute instructions
B Carry memory addresses
C Transfer data between components
D Carry control signals
The data bus carries the actual data being transferred between components such as the CPU, memory, and I/O devices. It is essential for communication within the system, facilitating the exchange of data.
What is the purpose of an interrupt in a computer system?
A Handle errors in memory
B Transfer control to a higher‐priority task
C Increase data storage
D Execute instructions
Interrupts allow the CPU to temporarily halt its current task and shift to a higher‐priority task. This ensures the system responds quickly to important events, such as user input or critical system processes.
Which of the following is NOT a benefit of parallel processing?
A Higher memory capacity
B Faster data processing
C Improved task efficiency
D Increased computational power
Parallel processing increases computational power by enabling multiple tasks to be processed simultaneously. However, it does not directly increase memory capacity. Additional memory would require separate resources like RAM.
What does the term “bus contention” refer to in a computer system?
A Conflicts in memory allocation
B Data transfer speed mismatch
C Multiple components trying to access the bus
D Synchronization issues
Bus contention occurs when multiple components attempt to access the same bus at the same time. This can lead to delays and reduced system performance as components must wait for access to the bus.
How does parallel processing enhance performance in computer systems?
A By increasing memory access speed
B By simplifying data handling
C By increasing clock speed
D By executing multiple instructions simultaneously
Parallel processing improves performance by allowing multiple instructions to be executed simultaneously across multiple processors or cores. This reduces processing time, particularly for tasks that can be divided into smaller parts.