Chapter 2: How computer works
Block Diagram of a Computer
Computer Parts
Input
Storage
Processing
Output
When a computer is asked to do a job, it handles the task in a very special way.
1].It accepts the information from the user. This is called input.
2].It stored the information until it is ready for use. The computer has memory chips, which
are designed to hold information until it is needed.
3].It processes the information. The computer has an electronic brain called the Central
Processing Unit, which is responsible for processing all data
and instructions given to the computer.
4].It then returns the processed information to the user. This is called output.
Input Devices
A computer would be useless without some way for you to interact with it because the
machine must be able to receive your instructions and deliver the results of these
instructions to you. Input devices accept instructions and data from you the user. Some
popular input devices are listed below.
Keyboard
Mouse
Scanner
Microphone
CD-ROM
Joystick
Processing
In processing sections you will see two major subsections
1] Storage (Memory)
2] CPU (microprocessor)
Storage (Memory)
A personal computer must have a means of storing information (data) and instructions so
that it can perform processing tasks on the data. Personal computers have two types of
memory. These are discussed below.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
This is the area of memory where data and program instructions are stored while the
computer is in operation. This is temporary memory.
NOTE: The data stored in RAM is lost forever when the power is turned off. For this reason
it is very important that you save your work before turning off your computer. This is why
we have peripheral storage devices like your computer’s hard disk and floppy diskettes.
Read Only Memory (ROM)
ROM is a small area of permanent memory that provides startup instructions when the
computer is turned on. You can not store any data in ROM. The instructions in ROM are set
by the manufacturer and cannot be changed by the user. The last instruction in ROM directs
the computer to load the operating system.
Every computer needs an operating system. This is a special computer program that must
be loaded into memory as soon as the computer is turned on. Its purpose is to translate
your instructions in English into Binary so that the computer can understand your
instructions. The operating system also translates the results generated by your computer
into English when it is finished so that we can understand and use the results. The
operating system comes with a computer.
Permanent Memory (Auxiliary Storage)
Your files are stored in permanent memory only when saved to your disk in a: drive or saved
to your computer's hard disk, Drive c:
To better understand how a computer handles information. Your computer is made of
millions of tiny electric circuits. For every circuit in a computer chip, there are two
possibilities:
1] An electric circuit flows through the circuit An “on” circuit is represented by the number
one (1)
2] An electric circuit does not flow through the circuit. An off circuit is represented by the
number zero (0)
The two numbers 1 and 0 are called bits. The word bit comes from “binary digit”. Each
time a computer reads an instruction, it translates that instruction into a series of bits, 1’s
and 0’s. On most computers every character from the keyboard is translated into eight bits,
a combination of eight 1’s and 0’s. Each group of eight bits is called a byte.
Byte – The amount of space in memory or on a disk needed to store one character. 8 bits =
1 Byte
Since computers can handle such large numbers of characters at one time, metric prefixes
are combined with the word byte to give some common multiples you will encounter in
computer literature.
Kilo means 1000 Kilobyte (KB) = 1000 Bytes
Mega means 1,000,000 Megabyte (MB) = 1,000,000 Bytes
Giga Means 1,000,000,000 Gigabyte (GB) = 1,000,000,000 Bytes
CPU (Microprocessor)
The central processing unit (CPU) is one of the two most important components of your
microcomputer. It is the electronic brain of your computer. In addition to processing data, it
controls the function of all the other components. The most popular microprocessors in IBM
compatible computers are made by [Link] series of microprocessors are listed below.
8088,80286,80386,80486,Pentium l,Pentium ll,Pentium III,Pentium
IV,Dualcore,Core2duo,QuadCore,intel3 (i3),intel5 (i5),intel7 (i7) etc.
Two typical components of a CPU are:
The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic and logical operations.
The control unit (CU), which extracts instructions from memory and decodes and
executes them, calling on the ALU when necessary.
Output Devices
A device capable of representing information from a computer which we can see using
display screens, printers, plotters, and synthesizers. Some popular output devices are listed
below.
Monitor
Speakers
Printer
Impact
Dot Matrix
Non-Impact
Ink Jet
Laser
Storage Devices
Hard disk
Floppy disk
Tape drive
CD-ROM
Live Practicle
