Module 1: Computer Organization (MAKAUT)
1 Mark Questions with Answers
1. What is a stored program computer?
Ans: A computer where instructions are stored in memory before execution.
2. Name the three steps of instruction execution.
Ans: Fetch, Decode, Execute.
3. What is the function of a compiler?
Ans: It translates high-level language into machine code.
4. Define operand.
Ans: Operand is the data on which an operation is performed.
5. Define operator.
Ans: Operator is the symbol that tells the computer to perform a specific operation.
6. What does the fetch cycle do?
Ans: It retrieves instructions from memory.
7. What is decoding in instruction execution?
Ans: It interprets the fetched instruction to determine the operation.
8. Name any two general-purpose registers.
Ans: AX, BX.
9. What is the role of the accumulator?
Ans: It stores intermediate arithmetic and logic results.
10. What is an instruction set?
Ans: A collection of machine instructions supported by a CPU.
11. Define instruction format.
Ans: The layout of bits in an instruction.
12. What is an assembler?
Ans: A tool that converts assembly language into machine code.
13. What is the operating system's role in execution?
Ans: Manages hardware and software resources, and program scheduling.
14. What is the use of the Program Counter (PC)?
Ans: It holds the address of the next instruction to be executed.
15. Difference between compiler and interpreter?
Ans: Compiler translates the whole code at once; interpreter does it line-by-line.
16. Define immediate addressing mode.
Ans: Operand is directly specified in the instruction.
17. What is direct addressing?
Ans: Operand's memory address is specified in the instruction.
18. Define register addressing mode.
Ans: Operand is in a register.
19. What is the memory unit in a computer?
Ans: It stores data and instructions (e.g., RAM, ROM).
20. State one function of the ALU.
Ans: Performs arithmetic and logical operations.
5 Marks Questions with Answers
1. Explain the fetch-decode-execute cycle with a diagram.
Ans: The CPU performs fetch (from memory), decode (by Control Unit), and execute (via ALU or Memory). It
uses PC, MAR, MDR, IR, and repeats this cycle for each instruction.
2. Differentiate between compiler and assembler.
Ans: Compiler converts high-level language to machine code, whole program at once. Assembler converts
assembly code to machine code, instruction by instruction.
3. Explain any three addressing modes with examples.
Ans: Immediate (MOV A, #5), Direct (MOV A, 2000H), Register (MOV A, R1).
4. Write short notes on instruction format and types.
Ans: Instruction format includes opcode, operand, mode fields. Types: 0-address (stack), 1-address,
2-address, 3-address.
5. Describe the role of OS in program execution.
Ans: OS schedules processes, allocates memory, handles I/O, and switches between kernel/user modes.
15 Marks Questions with Full Answers
Q1. Basic Organization of Stored Program Computer
[Full answer on previous page - includes block diagram, units like ALU, CU, Memory, and explanation of Von
Neumann model.]
Q2. Explain instruction cycle - fetch, decode, execute.
[Detailed steps of instruction fetch from memory using PC, MAR, MDR, IR, followed by decoding and
execution using ALU.]
Q3. Addressing Modes with Examples
[Explains Immediate, Direct, Indirect, Register, Indexed, and Relative modes with examples like MOV A, #5
or JMP +4.]
Q4. Operator, Operand, Registers and Memory Roles
[Describes how operator tells action, operand is data, registers store intermediate values, and memory stores
both data and instructions.]
Q5. Instruction Sets and Formats
[Explains instruction types (Arithmetic, Logical, Branch), CISC vs RISC, and formats like 1-address,
2-address, and 3-address instructions.]
