IB Computer Science HL · Core — SL & HL
Computer Organization
The fetch–execute cycle, registers and binary representation — the most common lost marks here are sequencing errors (naming the right registers in the wrong order) rather than not knowing the components at all.
2.1 Computer organization
- Outline the architecture of the CPU and the functions of the ALU, the CU and the registers within the CPU.
- Describe primary memory.
- Explain the use of cache memory.
- Explain the machine instruction cycle.
- Identify the need for persistent storage.
- Describe the main functions of an operating system.
- Outline the use of a range of application software.
- Identify common features of applications.
- Define the terms: bit, byte, binary, denary/decimal, hexadecimal.
- Outline the way in which data is represented in the computer.
- Define the Boolean operators: AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR and XOR.
- Construct truth tables using the above operators.
- Construct a logic diagram using AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR and XOR gates.
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