Computer Science

used to carry instructions from one component to another

a sequence of 0s and 1s — the machine code of a computer

a register in the CPU that stores the results of calculations

a program or system that imitates the behaviour of a real-world process

The fetch-execute (FE) cycle

Software and embedded systems

Operating system

The processor

Main memory

Secondary storage

Computer specifications

Environmental impacts of computing devices

In this unit pupils will discover the difference between general purpose and embedded systems. They will examine computer architecture and the components that make up a processor. Pupils will recognise the need for storage and be able to select a suitable storage device for a given purpose.

Computer Systems

What is the main purpose of the CPU in a computer system?

Which register stores the address in memory for data or instructions to be accessed?

Match each CPU component to its description:

Which component of the von Neumann architecture is responsible for fetching and decoding instructions?

the CPU interprets and understands instructions like a person

the CPU stores instructions for later use

the CPU executes instructions using its components

the CPU creates new instructions on its own

Which statement best describes what the CPU actually does with instructions?

Which component holds the data currently being processed by the CPU?

Which part of the CPU performs mathematical calculations?

What is the main function of the control unit in the CPU?

Which of these is NOT a register in the CPU?

What is the purpose of the buses in von Neumann architecture?

Which register holds the address of the next instruction to be fetched?

Put the following steps of the fetch-execute cycle in order:

The fetch-execute (FE) cycle

Lesson outcome