Answer the following questions:
1. Which generation of the 4-bit simulators above is the most abstract? Why?
Answer
The generation2 simulator is the most abstract because it represents the bits and bytes as commands such as STR, ADD, and NOP.
2. Explain the purpose or function of the RAM and the CPU.
Answer
The function of the RAM is to temporarily store data from the simulator which is then cleared when the simulator is reset. The CPU carries out the operations- for instance in the gen 2 simulator it does the storing, adding, and multiplying.
3. Describe in your own words the difference between the fetch and execute steps.
Answer
The difference between these is that the fetch step takes the machine language and puts it into the ram in the form of instructions and data. The execute step then runs the commands and is what gets the value that is printed in the monitor. The execute step runs the program.
4. Summarize the differences between assembly language and machine language programming.
Answer
The most prominent difference between machine language and assembly language programming is that machine language is comprised of ones and zeroes whereas assembly language is comprised of commands such as ADD, NOP, and STA. In addition, assembly language is more abstract, though both as low-level languages.