Welcome to the Low Level Software MCQs Page

Dive deep into the fascinating world of Low Level Software with our comprehensive set of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs). This page is dedicated to exploring the fundamental concepts and intricacies of Low Level Software, a crucial aspect of Reverse Engineering. In this section, you will encounter a diverse range of MCQs that cover various aspects of Low Level Software, from the basic principles to advanced topics. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to challenge your knowledge and deepen your understanding of this critical subcategory within Reverse Engineering.

Check out the MCQs below to embark on an enriching journey through Low Level Software. Test your knowledge, expand your horizons, and solidify your grasp on this vital area of Reverse Engineering.

Note: Each MCQ comes with multiple answer choices. Select the most appropriate option and test your understanding of Low Level Software. You can click on an option to test your knowledge before viewing the solution for a MCQ. Happy learning!

Low Level Software MCQs | Page 28 of 30

Explore more Topics under Reverse Engineering

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Introduction to Reverse Engineering

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Windows Fundamentals 🔒

03

Reversing Tools 🔒

04

Beyond the Documentation

05

Deciphering File Formats

06

Auditing Program Binaries 🔒

07

Reversing Malware 🔒

08

Piracy and Copy Protection

09

Antireversing Techniques 🔒

10

Breaking Protections 🔒

11

Reversing .NET 🔒

12

Decompilation

13

Deciphering Code Structures 🔒

14

Understanding Compiled Arithmetic

15

Deciphering Program Data 🔒

Q271.

What is the Out of Order Core in the NetBurst processor pipeline responsible for?

Decoding each instruction and producing sequences of μops

Reordering sequences of μops based on resource availability

Ensuring the original order of instructions is preserved

None of the above

Discuss

Answer: (b).Reordering sequences of μops based on resource availability Explanation:The Out of Order Core in the NetBurst processor pipeline receives sequences of μops from the Front end and reorders them based on the availability of the various resources of the processor.

Q272.

What is the Retirement section in the NetBurst processor pipeline primarily responsible for?

Decoding each instruction and producing sequences of μops

Reordering sequences of μops based on resource availability

Ensuring the original order of instructions is preserved

None of the above

Discuss

Answer: (c).Ensuring the original order of instructions is preserved Explanation:The Retirement section in the NetBurst processor pipeline is primarily responsible for ensuring that the original order of instructions in the program is preserved when applying the results of the out-of-order execution.

Q273.

What is the significance of the double-speed ALUs in port 0 and port 1 in IA-32 processors?

They allow each ALU to perform two operations in a single clock cycle

They allow for more efficient memory access

They enable SIMD floating-point operations to be performed in a single clock cycle

They are not significant for IA-32 optimizations

Discuss

Answer: (a).They allow each ALU to perform two operations in a single clock cycle Explanation:The double-speed ALUs in port 0 and port 1 in IA-32 processors allow each ALU to perform two operations in a single clock cycle, which is significant for IA-32 optimizations.

Q274.

Why are non-SIMD floating-point operations likely to take at least one clock cycle in IA-32 processors?

There is only one unit that performs floating-point operations

There are multiple units that perform floating-point operations

The ALUs in port 0 and port 1 cannot perform floating-point operations

The FPU stack cannot handle floating-point operations efficiently

Discuss

Answer: (a).There is only one unit that performs floating-point operations Explanation:Non-SIMD floating-point operations are likely to take at least one clock cycle in IA-32 processors because there is only one unit that actually performs floating-point operations (and another unit that moves data between memory and the FPU stack).

Q275.

What is meant by a NetBurst-aware compiler?

A compiler that takes the NetBurst architecture into consideration during the code generation process

A compiler that is designed specifically for NetBurst processors

A compiler that is optimized for floating-point operations

A compiler that is optimized for SIMD instructions

Discuss

Answer: (a).A compiler that takes the NetBurst architecture into consideration during the code generation process Explanation:A NetBurst-aware compiler is a compiler that takes the NetBurst architecture into consideration during the code generation process.

Q276.

What is the problem with executing conditional branches in a deep pipeline?

The processor must wait before processing instructions currently in the pipeline until the information on whether the branch is taken or not becomes available.

The pipeline is automatically refilled with instructions located either right after the branch instruction (when the branch is not expected to be taken) or from the branch’s target address (when the branch is expected to be taken).

Predicting the outcome of a branch has no impact on pipeline performance.

None of the above.

Discuss

Answer: (a).The processor must wait before processing instructions currently in the pipeline until the information on whether the branch is taken or not becomes available. Explanation:Conditional branches are a problem in a deep pipeline because often their outcome is not known at the time the next instruction must be fetched, and simply waiting until the outcome is known before processing instructions currently in the pipeline would have a detrimental impact on performance.

Q277.

What is the general prediction strategy for conditional branches?

Backward branches that jump to an earlier instruction are always expected to be taken, while forward branches (typically used in if statements) are assumed to not be taken.

Forward branches that jump to a later instruction are always expected to be taken, while backward branches (typically used in loops) are assumed to not be taken.

Both forward and backward branches are always expected to be taken.

The processor always waits for the outcome of a conditional branch before proceeding with the next instruction.

Discuss

Answer: (a).Backward branches that jump to an earlier instruction are always expected to be taken, while forward branches (typically used in if statements) are assumed to not be taken. Explanation:The general prediction strategy is that backward branches that jump to an earlier instruction are always expected to be taken because those are typically used in loops, where for every iteration there will be a jump, and the only time such branch is not taken is in the very last iteration. Forward branches (typically used in if statements) are assumed to not be taken.

Q278.

How does the IA-32 processor improve its prediction abilities for branches?

By emptying the pipeline when a branch is missed.

By using a branch trace buffer (BTB) that records the results of the most recent branch instructions processed and using that information for predicting the branch.

By assuming that all conditional branches are always taken.

By always waiting until the outcome of a branch is known before proceeding with the next instruction.

Discuss

Answer: (b).By using a branch trace buffer (BTB) that records the results of the most recent branch instructions processed and using that information for predicting the branch. Explanation:IA-32 processors employ a branch trace buffer (BTB) which records the results of the most recent branch instructions processed. When a branch is encountered, it is searched in the BTB. If an entry is found, the processor uses that information for predicting the branch.

Q279.

What is the purpose of the retirement section in the NetBurst pipeline?

To decode program instructions

To reorder μops based on resource availability

To preserve the original order of program instructions after out-of-order execution

To predict the outcome of conditional branches

Discuss

Answer: (c).To preserve the original order of program instructions after out-of-order execution Explanation:The retirement section is primarily responsible for ensuring that the original order of instructions in the program is preserved when applying the results of the out-of-order execution.

Q280.

What is the problem with conditional branches in a pipelined processor?

They take too long to execute

Their outcome is not known when the next instruction must be fetched

They can only be executed by one ALU at a time

They cause the pipeline to become clogged

Discuss

Answer: (b).Their outcome is not known when the next instruction must be fetched Explanation:Conditional branches are a problem because often their outcome is not known at the time the next instruction must be fetched.

Page 28 of 30

Windows Fundamentals 🔒

Reversing Tools 🔒

Auditing Program Binaries 🔒

Reversing Malware 🔒

Antireversing Techniques 🔒

Breaking Protections 🔒

Reversing .NET 🔒

Deciphering Code Structures 🔒

Deciphering Program Data 🔒

Welcome to the Low Level Software MCQs Page

Low Level Software MCQs | Page 28 of 30

Explore more Topics under Reverse Engineering

Introduction to Reverse Engineering

Beyond the Documentation

Deciphering File Formats

Piracy and Copy Protection

Decompilation

Understanding Compiled Arithmetic

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