Computer Architecture Basics: Definition and Overview

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental component of a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Monitor

Answer

Processor

Answer

Memory

Answer

Storage

Question 2

Which component is **NOT** considered fundamental to a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Network card

Answer

Processor

Answer

Memory

Answer

Input/Output devices

Question 3

In a computer architecture, what is the primary function of the control unit?

Accepted Answer

Controlling data and instruction flow

Answer

Processing data

Answer

Storing data

Answer

Executing instructions

Question 4

What is the main purpose of a cache memory in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Accelerate memory access by storing frequently used data

Answer

Provide additional permanent storage

Answer

Prevent data from being overwritten

Answer

Control the flow of instructions

Question 5

What is the distinction between a load instruction and a store instruction in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

A load instruction retrieves data from memory to a register, while a store instruction transfers data from a register to memory

Answer

A store instruction retrieves data from memory to a register, while a load instruction transfers data from a register to memory

Answer

A load instruction reads data from memory, while a store instruction writes data to memory

Answer

A store instruction reads data from memory, while a load instruction writes data to memory

Question 6

In a computer architecture, what is the primary function of the arithmetic logic unit (ALU)?

Accepted Answer

Executing arithmetic and logical operations

Answer

Controlling data and instruction flow

Answer

Storing data and instructions

Answer

Managing input and output operations

Question 7

What is the primary purpose of a compiler in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Translating high-level language code into machine code

Answer

Executing machine code instructions

Answer

Providing a user interface for interacting with the computer

Answer

Managing memory allocation

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental component of a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Software

Answer

Processor

Answer

Memory

Answer

Input/Output devices

Question 9

What is the primary role of the fetch-execute cycle in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

To retrieve instructions from memory and execute them sequentially

Answer

To store data in memory

Answer

To connect peripherals to the processor

Answer

To manage user interactions

Question 10

Which of the following is a key concept in the Von Neumann architecture?

Accepted Answer

Stored program concept, where instructions and data are stored in the same memory

Answer

Separate data and instruction memory

Answer

Parallel processing

Answer

Virtual memory

Question 11

What is the purpose of a bus in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

To provide a pathway for sharing data and control signals between components

Answer

To store data

Answer

To execute instructions

Answer

To connect peripherals

Question 12

Which of the following is a characteristic of a RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture?

Accepted Answer

Emphasis on simple instructions with limited addressing modes

Answer

Use of complex functional units

Answer

Long instruction pipelines

Answer

Large register file

Question 13

What is the main distinction between a Harvard and a Von Neumann architecture?

Accepted Answer

Harvard architecture has separate data and instruction memory, while Von Neumann architecture has a combined memory

Answer

Von Neumann architecture has separate data and instruction memory, while Harvard architecture has a combined memory

Answer

Harvard architecture uses a RISC instruction set, while Von Neumann architecture uses a CISC instruction set

Answer

Von Neumann architecture uses a RISC instruction set, while Harvard architecture uses a CISC instruction set

Question 14

What is the primary function of a register file in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

To store frequently used data and instructions, providing fast access

Answer

To store large amounts of data

Answer

To connect peripherals to the processor

Answer

To buffer data for input and output operations

Question 15

What is the significance of Moore's Law in the context of computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

It predicts the exponential growth of transistors on integrated circuits, driving advancements in computer capabilities

Answer

It states that the speed of computers doubles every year

Answer

It describes the relationship between memory capacity and processor speed

Answer

It defines the minimum size of a transistor

Question 16

Define computer architecture.

Accepted Answer

The blueprint for a computer system's hardware and software components

Answer

The organization and execution of a computer program

Answer

The set of instructions a processor can interpret

Answer

The method of storing and retrieving data from memory

Question 17

Which component is NOT part of a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Network card

Answer

Processor

Answer

Memory

Answer

Bus

Question 18

What does the bus in a computer architecture primarily facilitate?

Accepted Answer

Processor-memory communication

Answer

Memory-input/output device connection

Answer

Processor-input/output device communication

Answer

Data and instruction storage

Question 19

Which organization is NOT a type of computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Transputer architecture

Answer

Von Neumann architecture

Answer

Harvard architecture

Answer

Modified Harvard architecture

Question 20

Describe the primary objective behind implementing a memory hierarchy within a computer system.

Accepted Answer

To introduce varying levels of performance and capacity tailored to specific data and instruction storage needs, primarily based on their frequency of access.

Answer

To safeguard data from potential loss in the event of unforeseen power outages.

Question 21

Which of the following performance metrics accurately measures a computer system's efficiency?

Accepted Answer

MIPS (Millions of Instructions Per Second)

Answer

Watt-hours (Wh)

Answer

Frames Per Second (FPS)

Answer

Kilobytes Per Second (KB/s)

Question 22

Describe the fundamental role of a compiler within the context of a computer system.

Accepted Answer

Compilers are primarily responsible for translating high-level programming languages into their machine code equivalents.

Answer

Compilers assume the duty of interpreting high-level programming languages.

Answer

Compilers are employed to optimize the performance of machine code.

Question 23

Which of the following is **not** a fundamental component of a computer system's architecture?

Accepted Answer

Database

Answer

Memory

Answer

Bus

Answer

Processor

Question 24

The component responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations is the:

Accepted Answer

Processor

Answer

Memory

Answer

Input/Output

Answer

Bus

Question 25

The fundamental unit of data in computer systems is the:

Accepted Answer

Bit

Answer

Word

Answer

Instruction

Answer

Byte

Question 26

Which component connects all parts of a computer system and enables data transfer?

Accepted Answer

Bus

Answer

Memory

Answer

Processor

Answer

Input/Output

Question 27

The logical organization of a computer system as defined by a single shared memory for both instructions and data is known as:

Accepted Answer

Von Neumann Architecture

Answer

RISC Architecture

Answer

CISC Architecture

Answer

Harvard Architecture

Question 28

The type of computer architecture that separates instruction and data memory is:

Accepted Answer

Harvard Architecture

Answer

CISC Architecture

Answer

Von Neumann Architecture

Answer

RISC Architecture

Question 29

A defining characteristic of Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture is:

Accepted Answer

Emphasis on simple instructions

Answer

Large number of instructions

Answer

Complex instructions

Answer

Use of microprocessors

Question 30

A fundamental design objective of computer architecture is:

Accepted Answer

Optimizing performance and efficiency

Answer

Matching the latest trends

Answer

Minimizing cost

Answer

Ensuring user friendliness

Question 31

**Precise and Specific Definition of Computer Architecture**

Which of the following most accurately defines computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

The science and art of designing the structure and behavior of computing systems, encompassing hardware and software components and their interactions.

Answer

The process of creating and maintaining computer programs.

Answer

The study of computer networks and their protocols.

Question 32

**Essential Component of a Computer Architecture**

Which of the following is **not** a fundamental component of a typical computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Compiler

Answer

Input/output devices

Answer

Processor

Answer

Memory

Question 33

**Primary Function of the Processor**

What is the main responsibility of the processor in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Executing instructions and performing calculations.

Answer

Providing an interface between the user and the computer.

Answer

Connecting different system components.

Answer

Storing data and instructions.

Question 34

**Advantage of Von Neumann Architecture**

Which of the following is **not** recognized as an advantage of the Von Neumann architecture?

Accepted Answer

High performance and low power consumption

Answer

Flexibility and customization options

Answer

Simplicity and ease of design and implementation

Answer

Scalability and reliability

Question 35

**Purpose of Register File**

What is the purpose of a register file in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Storing frequently used data and instructions for faster access, reducing memory latency.

Answer

Storing the program counter, which keeps track of the next instruction to be executed.

Answer

Executing instructions and performing calculations.

Question 36

**Role of Instruction Decoder**

What is the primary function of an instruction decoder in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Translating machine code instructions into a format that the processor can understand and execute.

Answer

Executing instructions and performing calculations.

Answer

Storing the program counter.

Question 37

**Distinction Between Superscalar and VLIW Architectures**

What is the key difference between superscalar and VLIW architectures?

Accepted Answer

Superscalar architectures issue and execute multiple instructions per clock cycle, while VLIW architectures bundle multiple instructions into a single instruction and execute them together.

Answer

Superscalar architectures use a load-store architecture, while VLIW architectures use a register-register architecture.

Question 38

**Ineffective Architectural Optimization Technique**

Which of the following is **not** a commonly used architectural optimization technique?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the number of processor cores without a corresponding increase in cache size.

Answer

Using pipelining to overlap the execution of different instructions.

Answer

Implementing branch prediction to reduce the cost of mispredicted branches.

Question 39

Which of the following accurately defines computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

The science and art of designing, constructing, and operating computer systems

Answer

The physical components that comprise a computer system

Answer

The assembly of software programs for computer systems

Question 40

Within a computer architecture, what is the primary function of the CPU?

Accepted Answer

Central processing

Answer

Data transfer

Answer

Data storage

Question 41

What is the primary purpose of memory in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Storing data and instructions

Answer

Facilitating user input and output

Answer

Connecting various computer components

Answer

Executing data processing tasks

Question 42

Which of the following is a type of bus found in computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Data bus

Answer

Processor

Answer

Memory

Answer

Hard disk drive

Question 43

Which of the following is a guiding principle in computer architecture design?

Accepted Answer

Modularity

Answer

Uniqueness

Answer

Intricacy

Answer

Redundancy

Question 44

When designing computer architecture, what represents a significant challenge?

Accepted Answer

Balancing performance and cost

Answer

Selecting appropriate components

Answer

Creating efficient programming code

Answer

Testing system functionality

Question 45

Which of the following is a recent advancement in computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Multi-core processors

Answer

Transistors

Answer

Vacuum tubes

Answer

Integrated circuits

Question 46

What is a key advantage of employing a layered approach in computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Simplified design, implementation, and maintenance

Answer

Enhanced system performance

Answer

Reduced system cost

Question 47

Which metric is commonly used to evaluate computer architecture performance?

Accepted Answer

Instructions per second (IPS)

Answer

Lines of code per hour (LOC/h)

Answer

Errors per hour (E/h)

Answer

Bytes per second (B/s)

Question 48

Which of the following components is NOT typically included in the definition of computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Operating system

Answer

CPU

Answer

Memory

Answer

Input/output devices

Question 49

The arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) is a key component of which part of a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

CPU

Answer

Memory

Answer

Input/output devices

Answer

Bus

Question 50

What is the primary purpose of a memory hierarchy in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

To optimize data access speed and storage capacity through the use of multiple levels of memory.

Answer

To store all data and instructions permanently.

Answer

To perform arithmetic and logic operations.

Question 51

Which of the following is a key advantage of using a pipelined architecture in a computer system?

Accepted Answer

Increased instruction throughput

Answer

Improved data security

Answer

Increased memory capacity

Answer

Reduced power consumption

Question 52

What is the primary function of an instruction set architecture (ISA)?

Accepted Answer

To define the set of instructions that a processor can execute.

Answer

To specify the physical design of the processor.

Answer

To control the flow of data within the system.

Question 53

Which of the following is a distinguishing characteristic of RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architectures compared to CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) architectures?

Accepted Answer

RISC architectures use fewer and simpler instructions.

Answer

RISC architectures have a larger register file.

Answer

RISC architectures always use pipelining, while CISC architectures do not.

Question 54

What is the main purpose of a cache in a computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

To store frequently used data and instructions, reducing memory access time.

Answer

To execute arithmetic and logic operations.

Answer

To control the flow of data and instructions within the system.

Question 55

What is the fundamental difference between a uniprocessor architecture and a multiprocessor architecture?

Accepted Answer

A multiprocessor architecture has multiple CPUs, while a uniprocessor architecture has only one.

Answer

A multiprocessor architecture is inherently more efficient than a uniprocessor architecture.

Answer

A uniprocessor architecture is always faster than a multiprocessor architecture.

Question 56

Which of the following is a primary challenge in the design of computer architecture?

Accepted Answer

Balancing performance, cost, and power consumption.

Answer

Choosing the optimal programming language.

Answer

Creating a user-friendly interface.