Exam 2: Introduction to Systems Architecture

A ____ is a program that translates instructions in a programming language into CPU instructions.

​A simple definition of a computer is a device that can accept numeric inputs, perform computational functions, and ____.

The term ____ can describe computers as small as midrange computers and as large as supercomputers.

A ____ is a group of similar or identical computers, connected by a high-speed network, that cooperate to provide services or run a single application.

____ is typically the cheapest component of current information systems.

The evolution of Microsoft OSs is a good example of how software development depends on hardware technology.

The World Wide Web is sometimes called a network of networks because it interconnects millions of other networks.

Mechanical computation devices cannot perform complex calculations.

____ software describes programs used to develop other programs.

An end-user accesses a Web-based application via a URL.

A moving photon's ____________________ can be harnessed to perform computational work.

The CPU contains a few internal storage locations called ____, each capable of holding a single instruction or data item.

____ signals can carry more data than electrical signals.

Electronic computers addressed most shortcomings of mechanical computation.

Optical processors might be easier to fabricate than current processors and are better matched to optical communication technologies.

The ____ software layer has utility programs used by end users and system administrators to manage and control computer resources.

The most famous of the mechanical computation devices is the ____________________, built by Charles Babbage in 1821.

Optical light pulses can be stored indirectly, such as ____.

A key function of ____________________ software is allocating resources to users and programs.

A typical computer system must have much more secondary storage capacity than primary storage capacity.