1. What is Cache Memory?
Mention its advantages
Ans: Cache memory is like a buffer memory present between the RAM and the CPU.
It is extremely fast and makes the working of the system much faster as it stores
frequently requested instructions and data for easy and quick access.
Cache Memory comes in three different levels, that is, L1, L2, and L3.
2. What is Pipelining. Explain it using an example.
Ans: Pipelining is a specialized technique used by an advanced microprocessor to
manage and accumulate multiple instructions that enter the system. These multiple
instructions overlap, making it difficult to process a request. Pipelines are used to
accumulate instructions from the processor that are used further for processing a
request in an orderly manner.
For example, we consider a car manufacturing company; there is a series of events
that take place to manufacture a car. After one task is completed, the product moves
ahead to the next stage. This smooth shift to the next stage is facilitated using
pipelines.
3. Differentiate between RAM and ROM
Ans:
RAM ROM
RAM is short for Random Access ROM is short for Read-Only Memory.
Memory.
It is a volatile memory. It is a non-volatile memory.
To keep the data, power supply is You can store data and information in ROM,
needed. even with no power supply.
It is high-speed memory. It is slower than RAM.
The stored data can be accessed by the It cannot be accessed by the CPU in this case.
CPU.
It is greater in size and capacity. It is lesser in size and capacity.
4. What do you understand by DMA?
Ans: DMA stands for Direct Memory Access. It is such a feature of the system that
facilitates input/output devices to send or receive data. The data transmission is done
from or to the main memory, bypassing the CPU. A chip known as a DMA controller
is used to perform the process.
5. Explain the role of the control unit and ALU in a CPU.
Ans: The ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) is a critical component of the CPU
responsible for performing arithmetic and logical operations. It processes data by
executing instructions from the control unit, enabling the CPU to perform complex
calculations and decision-making tasks.
The control unit (CU) is the component of the CPU that directs the operation of the
processor. It interprets instructions from the memory and converts them into signals
that control other parts of the CPU.
6. What is a virtual memory on a computer?
Ans: A virtual memory is an operating systems' memory management feature that uses
software and hardware to allow computers to compensate for the shortages of physical
memory by temporarily moving data from RAM to disk storage.
7. What are the steps involved in an instruction cycle?
Ans: A program that resides in the memory contains a set of instructions that the
computer needs to perform sequentially. The cycle for every instruction is called the
instruction cycle, which consists of the following steps:
Fetch instruction. The CPU fetches the instruction from the memory. The computer
gets loaded with the contents of the instruction.
Decode. This allows the CPU to determine what instruction must be performed and
how many operands are needed to fetch to perform an instruction.
Execute. At this step, the instruction is performed. If the instruction has logic or
arithmetic, the ALU is utilized. This is the only step of the instruction cycle that's
useful from the end user's perspective."
8. What distinguishes RISC from CISC architecture?
Ans: RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computing) architecture is designed around a small
set of simple instructions, aiming for efficiency and speed. CISC (Complex Instruction
Set Computing), on the other hand, includes a wide range of complex instructions,
allowing for more versatile but potentially slower processing.
9. What are the different types of memory in a computer system?
Ans: The main types of memory in a computer system are RAM (Random Access
Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), and cache memory. RAM is volatile and used
for temporary storage, while ROM is non-volatile and stores permanent data; cache
memory is high-speed storage that improves processing efficiency by storing
frequently accessed data.
10. What is the purpose of an instruction set architecture (ISA)?
Ans: The purpose of an instruction set architecture (ISA) is to serve as the interface
between software and hardware, defining the commands that a CPU can execute. It
standardizes the instructions, ensuring compatibility and optimizing system
performance
11. Explain the difference between synchronous and asynchronous communication.
Ans: Synchronous communication occurs when data is sent and received at regular
intervals, requiring both the sender and receiver to be in sync. Asynchronous
communication, on the other hand, allows data to be sent and received at any time,
without requiring synchronization between the sender and receiver
12. Explain the significant differences between Von Neumann and Harvard
architectures.
Ans:
Von Neuman Architecture Harvard Architecture
This same memory is used for In this, separate memories are used for
storing instructions and data. storing instructions and data.
Due to the single memory, it has a Due to multiple memories, it has a higher
cheaper cost. cost.
The CPU cannot simultaneously read Due to multiple memories, the CPU can
and write the instructions and data as read and write the instructions and data
a single memory. simultaneously.
We can commonly find Von-
Harvard Architecture is typical in
Neuman Architecture in personnel
microcontrollers and signal processing.
computers.
13. What are the different hazards?
Ans: This is one of the critical situations of a physical system. This kind of situation
mainly prevents to provide proper instruction to the next executor stream for
execution desired script which actually designed by the architecture suppose in the
proper clock cycle. It obviously reduces the desired performance of the physical
system.
Commonly three kinds of hazards defined in the computer system:
Structural: Hazards which are normally generated due to the defined structure of the
system, suppose some instruction is not able to run due to hardware inability.
Data: This kind of hazards can generate at the time of executing dependent
instruction.
Control: this kind of hazards mainly generate at the time of changing pipelining which
directly impact on system configuration.
14. Do you have any idea about Cache Coherence?
Ans: Cache coherence is also one of the popular characters of cache management in
the computer system. It mainly ensures data integrity for storing data in local cache
which actually belong to shares resource.
15. Differentiate between Write-back and Write-through cache
Ans:
Write-back Cache Write-through Cache
Write-back cache does not flush until The Write-through cache flushes for each
that cache line has been used for write.
reading.
It does not protect the integrity of the It is comparatively better in terms of
processors, especially when several integrity.
processors are accessing the same
data.
It gives a good performance by saving It does not have such a good performance.
multiple write or memory write cycles.