CSC710: Computer Architecture & Organization

Bole tak nak jawab contoh-contoh soalan quiz & test for the above-mentioned subject kat sini? Ada test hari Jumaat ni, nak study, tapi malas gila nak tulis atas kertas. So decided nak taip soalan & jawapan kat sini. hehe. Sape rasa nak baca, bacalah yer. Sape rase tak berminat nak tahu, adalah dipersilakan dengan segala hormatnya untuk mengabaikan entry ini. Sekian harap maklum.


Sample QUIZ#1

Question 1
ENIAC was considered the first modern electronic computer. ENIAC is an acronym for? When was it completed?
My answer:
-ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical Integrator Analyzor and Computer.
-It was started in 1943 and was completed in 1946.

Question 2
The ENIAC was a decimal machine, where a register was represented by a ring of 10 vacuum tubes. At any time, only one vacuum tube was in the ON state, representing one of the digits 0 thru 9. Why is this representation wasteful? Could you suggest of a better way to improve this? Explain your solution how can this be done.
My answer:
-why wasteful: only one vacuum tube is on at a particular time
-better way to improve: multiple vacuum tubes may be on and binary can be used to represent the number

Question 3
At the integrated circuit level, what are the three principal constituents of a computer system?
My answer:
-gates
-memory cells
-interconnections
*a computer consists of gates,memory cells,and interconnections among these elements.The gates and memory cells are, in turn, constructed of simple digital electronic components

Question 4
What is Moore's Law? Explain the performance of CPU compared to Main Memory based on Moore's Law. Is Moore's Law a physical law? Explain why it is true or false.
My answer:
-Moore's Law: Gordon Moore (cofounder of Intel) observed that the numbers of transistors on a chip will double every year and correctly predicted that this pace would continue into the near future. To the surprise of many, including Moore, the pace continued year after year and decade after decade.The pace slowed to a doubling every 18 months in the 1970s but has sustained that rate ever since.
-performance of CPU compared to Main Memory: gap between CPU and memory is currently widening
-is Moore's Law a physical law: No, it is not a physical law
-why true of false: whether the Moore's Law is true or not, it already explains itself to the world and yet until now it still holds valid given with the number of transistors within CPU in these decades

Sample TEST#1

Question 1
Describe the general structure of the von Neumann's architecture. What was the most profound idea brought forth by this architecture and why is this approach much better than the traditional ENIAC's architecture?
My answer:
-general structure of von Neumann architecture:
*main memory storing programs and data
*ALU operating on binary data
*control unit interpreting instructions from memory and executing
*input & output equipment operated by control unit







-the most profound idea: introduced stored-program concept
-why better than traditional ENIAC's: ENIAC use decimal data which consume a lot of memory whereas von Neumann operating on binary data and ENIAC programmed manually by setting switches and plugging and unplugging cables whereas von Neumann interpreting instructions from memory and executing

Question 2
Moore's Law describes a long-term trend in the history of computing hardware, in which the number of transistors that can be placed inexpensively on an integrated circuit has doubled approximately every two years. Explain the profound consequences of this law
My answer:
-cost of a chip has remained almost unchanged
-higher packing density means shorter electrical paths, giving higher performance
-smaller size gives increased flexibility
-reduced power and cooling requirements
-fewer interconnections increase reliability

Question 3
What general categories of functions are specified by computer instructions?
My answer:
*Structure: The way in which the components are interrelated
*Function: The operation of each individual component as part of the structure
-there are 4 general categories of functions:
i, Data processing - computer must be able to process data. The data may take a wide variety of forms,and the range of processing requirements is broad
ii, Data storage - it is also essential that a computer store data. Even if the computer is processing data on the fly, the computer must temporarily store at least those pieces of data that are being worked on at any given moment
iii, Data movement - computer must be able to move data between itself and the outside world
iv, Control - there must be control of these three functions.

Question 4
Explain some of the major achievements and advancements in the evolution of the Intel processor starting from the world's first general purpose microprocessor until the Itanium processor line (provide some indication of the timeline and technology used).
My answer:
.......tengok jam kat taskbar dah pukul 3.03 pagi. sambung nanti-nanti bole? dah ngantuk........