IGCSE O-Level Computer Coursebook

Chapter 2: Communications and Internet Technologies

Q.1 Describe the fetch-execute cycle carried out in the von Neumann architecture.
Ans: The basic operation of a computer is called the ‘fetch-execute’ cycle. The CPU is
designed to understand a set of instructions - the instruction set. It fetches the instructions
from the main memory and executes them. This is done repeatedly from when the computer
is booted up to when it is shut down. The steps in the fetch-execute cycle are as follows:
1. The CPU fetches the instructions one at a time from the main memory into the
registers. One register is the program counter (pc). The pc holds the memory address
of the next instruction to be fetched from main memory.
2. The CPU decodes the instruction.
3. The CPU executes the instruction.
4. Repeat until there are no more instructions.

Q.2 Define the term ‘register’.

Ans: A register is a temporary storage area built into a CPU. Some registers are used
internally and cannot be accessed outside the processor, while others are user-accessible.
Most modern CPU architectures include both types of registers.

Q.3 Draw a line to form each term to its correct definition.

Connection between components in

Control Unit the CPU along which information
travels.

Unit that manages the flow of data

A&L Unit
through the CPU.

Register in which values are stored

Accumulator to have calculations carried out on
them.

Unit that carries out calculations on

Bus data in the CPU.

Q.4 Describe three functions of an operating system.

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IGCSE O-Level Computer Coursebook
Chapter 2: Communications and Internet Technologies
Ans: An operating system has three main functions. They are as follows:
1. To manage the computer's resources, such as the central processing unit, memory,
disk drives, and printers.
2. To establish a user interface.
3. To execute and provide services for applications software.
However, that much of the work of an operating system is hidden from the user; many
necessary tasks are performed behind the scenes. In particular, the first listed function,
managing the computer's resources, is taken care of without the user being aware of the
details. Furthermore, all input and output operations, although invoked by an applications
program, are actually carried out by the operating system.

Q.5 Describe two advantages of high-level languages.

Ans: The main advantage of high-level languages over low-level languages is that they are
easier to read, write, and maintain. Ultimately, programs written in a high-level language
must be translated into machine language by a compiler or interpreter. The first high-level
programming languages were designed in the 1950s.

Q.6 Explain the difference between a compiler and an interpreter.

Ans: Computer programs are usually written on high level languages. An Interpreter
translates just one statement of the program at a time into machine code. Compiler scans the
entire program and translates the whole of it into machine code at once. An interpreter takes
very less time to analyze the source code.

Q.7 Describe the role of an assembler.

Ans: An assembler is a program that converts assembly language into machine code. It takes
the basic commands and operations from assembly code and converts them into binary code
that can be recognized by a specific type of processor. Assemblers are similar to compilers in
that they produce executable code.

Q.8 Tick (✓) which statements are true and false about low-level languages.

Statement True False

Low-level languages are a computer’s native language. ✓

Low-level languages need to be compiled before they can be
✓
processed.
Low-level languages are much easier for a human to understand. ✓

In a low-level language one line of code will perform only ne task. ✓

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