1. State
[1]
One difference between RISC and CISC.
Answer: • RISC uses a small set of simple instructions, each designed to execute in one clock cycle
• CISC uses a large set of more complex instructions that may take multiple cycles
• RISC architectures rely heavily on registers and simple addressing modes
• CISC architectures include instructions that can perform multi‑step operations or complex memory access patterns
• CISC uses a large set of more complex instructions that may take multiple cycles
• RISC architectures rely heavily on registers and simple addressing modes
• CISC architectures include instructions that can perform multi‑step operations or complex memory access patterns
2. Identify
[1]
One drawback of abstraction.
Answer: • Important implementation details can be hidden from developers who need to understand performance or behaviour
• Too many layers of abstraction can make it harder to trace how a system actually works
• Poor abstractions can be inflexible and hard to modify without affecting dependent code
• Abstraction may introduce extra processing steps, reducing efficiency slightly
• Too many layers of abstraction can make it harder to trace how a system actually works
• Poor abstractions can be inflexible and hard to modify without affecting dependent code
• Abstraction may introduce extra processing steps, reducing efficiency slightly
3. State
[1]
One benefit of recursion.
Answer: • Allows certain algorithms, such as tree traversal or divide‑and‑conquer sorts, to be expressed concisely and clearly
• Can mirror the natural recursive structure of a problem, making the solution easier to reason about
• Reduces the need for complex loop and stack management in the source code
• Makes some mathematical definitions (e.g. factorial, Fibonacci) straightforward to implement
• Can mirror the natural recursive structure of a problem, making the solution easier to reason about
• Reduces the need for complex loop and stack management in the source code
• Makes some mathematical definitions (e.g. factorial, Fibonacci) straightforward to implement
4. Explain
[1]
How paging and segmentation differ
Answer: • Paging divides memory into fixed‑size blocks (pages), whereas segmentation uses variable‑size blocks (segments)
• Pages are based on physical memory management; segments reflect logical program structures such as functions or data areas
• Paging typically avoids external fragmentation but may have internal fragmentation
• Segmentation can suffer from external fragmentation as segments vary in size
• Segmentation makes it easier to apply different protection or access rights to different logical units
• Pages are based on physical memory management; segments reflect logical program structures such as functions or data areas
• Paging typically avoids external fragmentation but may have internal fragmentation
• Segmentation can suffer from external fragmentation as segments vary in size
• Segmentation makes it easier to apply different protection or access rights to different logical units