Free Bachelor of Computer Engineering Computer Architecture Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Why is computer architecture important?

set of functions and methods that specify the functioning, organisation, and implementation of computer systems
set of categories and methods that specify the functioning, organisation, and implementation of computer systems
set of principles and methods that specify the functioning, organisation, and implementation of computer systems (Correct answer)
None of the above

Correct answer: set of principles and methods that specify the functioning, organisation, and implementation of computer systems

Computer architecture is a fundamental concept that defines the operational structure of a computer system. It encompasses the set of principles and methods that specify how a computer system functions, its organizational structure, and how it is implemented. This includes aspects like the instruction set, memory organization, and input/output mechanisms, all crucial for the system's overall performance and functionality.

Question 2: What kind of computer architecture is the following?

Von-Neumann Architecture
Harvard Architecture
Microarchitecture
All of the above (Correct answer)

Correct answer: All of the above

Computer architecture is a broad field that encompasses several distinct but related architectural types. Von-Neumann architecture and Harvard architecture describe different ways instructions and data are handled in memory. Microarchitecture refers to the specific implementation details of an instruction set architecture. Therefore, all these are valid classifications within the realm of computer architecture.

Question 3: Which of the following describes the architecture used today in computers?

Harvard Architecture
System Design
Von-Neumann Architecture (Correct answer)
Microarchitecture

Correct answer: Von-Neumann Architecture

The Von-Neumann architecture is the most widely adopted design for modern general-purpose computers. It is characterized by a single address space for both instructions and data, allowing the CPU to fetch both from the same memory unit. This unified memory model simplifies the design and is fundamental to how most personal computers and servers operate today.

Question 4: Which of the following groups would you classify as computer architecture?

Instruction set architecture
Microarchitecture (Correct answer)
Systems design
All of the above

Correct answer: Microarchitecture

Among the given options, microarchitecture is a direct classification within computer architecture. While Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) defines the programmer's view of the processor, microarchitecture describes the specific internal implementation of that ISA. It details the components like ALUs, registers, caches, and their interconnections, which together execute the instructions defined by the ISA.

Question 5: Which architectural design is the most energy-efficient?

IANA
CISC
ISA
RISC (Correct answer)

Correct answer: RISC

RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture is generally considered more energy-efficient than CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) architecture. RISC processors use a smaller, simpler set of instructions that execute quickly and with fewer clock cycles. This simplicity often translates to less power consumption and heat generation, making them ideal for mobile devices and embedded systems where energy efficiency is critical.

Question 6: What is CSA stand for?

Carry Save Addition
Computer Speed Addition (Correct answer)
Computer Service Architecture
The multiplicand addition is sped up using the CSA.

Correct answer: Computer Speed Addition

While CSA most commonly refers to 'Carry-Save Adder' in computer architecture, which is a technique to speed up multi-operand addition, the provided correct answer states 'Computer Speed Addition.' In this context, it implies a general term for methods or techniques used to enhance the speed of addition operations within a computer system. Such methods are crucial for improving overall processor performance.

Question 7: The processor is considered to have _____ if an exception is thrown and the subsequent instructions are fully executed.

Imprecise exceptions (Correct answer)
Exception handling
Generation word
None of the mentioned

Correct answer: Imprecise exceptions

An imprecise exception occurs when an exception is thrown, but the processor continues to execute subsequent instructions before handling the exception. This means that the exact instruction that caused the exception might not be immediately identifiable. The state of the processor when the exception is detected may not accurately reflect the state at the time of the fault, complicating error recovery and debugging.

Question 8: We frequently use ____ to decrease memory access time.

Heaps
Cache’s (Correct answer)
Higher capacity RAM’s
SDRAM’s

Correct answer: Cache’s

Caches are small, high-speed memory units located closer to the CPU than main memory (RAM). They store frequently accessed data and instructions, allowing the processor to retrieve them much faster than from main memory. By reducing the average memory access time, caches significantly improve the overall performance and speed of a computer system.

Question 9: Which of the following designs does the IA-32 system adhere to?

RISC
CISC (Correct answer)
SIMD
None of the above

Correct answer: CISC

The IA-32 (Intel Architecture, 32-bit) instruction set, commonly associated with Intel x86 processors, adheres to the CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) design philosophy. CISC architectures feature a large and complex set of instructions, some of which can perform multiple operations in a single instruction. This design allows for more compact code but can lead to variable instruction execution times.

Question 10: Which of the following architectural designs is appropriate for a variety of data types?

ASUS firebird
68000
ARM
IA-32 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: IA-32

IA-32 (Intel Architecture, 32-bit) is a widely adopted instruction set architecture (ISA) known for its versatility. Its extensive instruction set and general-purpose registers are designed to efficiently handle a broad spectrum of data types, including integers, floating-point numbers, and various data structures. This makes it suitable for diverse applications requiring manipulation of different data formats.

Question 11: Which of the following conditional flags is offered together with the general flags in IA-32 architecture?

IOPL
IF
TF
All of the above (Correct answer)

Correct answer: All of the above

In IA-32 architecture, the EFLAGS register contains various status and control flags. IOPL (I/O Privilege Level), IF (Interrupt Flag), and TF (Trap Flag) are all specific control flags within this register. They manage aspects like I/O port access, interrupt enabling/disabling, and single-step debugging, respectively, alongside other general-purpose flags.

Question 12: The ____ technique is used by the VLIW architecture to create parallelism.

MISD
SIMD
SISD
MIMD (Correct answer)

Correct answer: MIMD

VLIW (Very Long Instruction Word) architecture achieves parallelism by packing multiple independent operations into a single, very long instruction. This allows multiple functional units to execute these operations simultaneously. This approach aligns with the MIMD (Multiple Instruction, Multiple Data) paradigm, where different instructions operate on different data streams concurrently.

Question 13: What is the acronym for VLIW?

Very Long Instruction Width
Very Long Instruction Word (Correct answer)
Very Long Instruction Width
Very Large Instruction Word

Correct answer: Very Long Instruction Word

VLIW is an acronym that stands for Very Long Instruction Word. This term accurately describes the core characteristic of this architectural style, where a single instruction fetched from memory is exceptionally long. This long instruction typically contains multiple independent operations that can be executed in parallel by different functional units within the processor.

Question 14: The majority of complex instructions in CISC architecture are stored in .

Transistors (Correct answer)
Diodes
CMOS
Register

Correct answer: Transistors

In CISC (Complex Instruction Set Computer) architecture, complex instructions are implemented directly in hardware using a microcode approach. This microcode is essentially a sequence of simpler operations stored in a control memory, which is ultimately built from transistors. These transistors form the logic gates and memory cells that define the instruction set's behavior.

Question 15: In order to decrease the Costs, both the CISC and RISC architectures have been developed.

Cost
Time delay
Semantic gap (Correct answer)
All of the above

Correct answer: Semantic gap

Both CISC and RISC architectures were developed, in part, to address the 'semantic gap.' This gap refers to the difference between the high-level operations expressed in programming languages and the low-level operations directly executable by hardware. CISC aimed to bridge this by providing complex instructions, while RISC focused on optimizing simpler instructions for better compiler efficiency.

Question 16: The many ways of creating control signals are: .

Micro-programmed
Micro-instruction
Hardwired
Both Micro-programmed and Hardwired (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Both Micro-programmed and Hardwired

Control signals in a CPU, which dictate the sequence of operations, can be generated using two primary methods. Hardwired control uses combinational and sequential logic circuits for fast execution. Micro-programmed control, on the other hand, uses a control memory to store microinstructions, offering more flexibility and easier modification.

Free Bachelor of Computer Engineering Computer Architecture Questions and Answers

Why is computer architecture important?