C952 - Computer Architecture (with Complete Solutions)

Personal computer (PC) correct answers A computer designed for use by an individual, usually incorporating a graphics display, a keyboard, and a mouse. Server correct answers A computer used for running larger programs for multiple users, often simultaneously, and typically accessed only via a network. Supercomputer: correct answers A class of computers with the highest performance and cost; they are configured as servers and typically cost tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Embedded computer: correct answers A computer inside another device used for running one predetermined application or collection of software. Personal mobile devices (PMDs) correct answers are small wireless devices to connect to the Internet; they rely on batteries for power, and software is installed by downloading apps. Conventional examples are smart phones and tablets. Cloud computing correct answers refers to large collections of servers that provide services over the Internet; some providers rent dynamically varying numbers of servers as a utility. Software as a Service (SaaS) correct answers delivers software and data as a service over the Internet, usually via a thin program such as a browser that runs on local client devices, instead of binary code that must be installed, and runs wholly on that device. Examples include web search and social networking. Multicore microprocessor correct answers A microprocessor containing multiple processors ("cores") in a single integrated circuit. Acronym correct answers A word constructed by taking the initial letters of a string of words. For example: RAM is an acronym for Random Access Memory, and CPU is an acronym for Central Processing Unit. Terabyte (TB): correct answers Originally 1,099,511,627,776 (240) bytes, although communications and secondary storage systems developers started using the term to mean 1,000,000,000,000 (1012) bytes. To reduce confusion, we now use the term tebibyte (TiB) for 240 bytes, defining terabyte (TB) to mean 1012 bytes. The figure below shows the full range of decimal and binary values and names. Systems software: correct answers Software that provides services that are commonly useful, including operating systems, compilers, loaders, and assemblers. Operating system correct answers Supervising program that manages the resources of a computer for the benefit of the programs that run on that computer.