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This document provides an introduction to computer systems. It discusses the key components of a computer system including the central processing unit (CPU), memory, input/output devices, and storage devices. The CPU is described as the "brain" of the computer and is responsible for carrying out processing instructions. Common input devices include keyboards, mice, and touchscreens, while common output devices include monitors, printers, and speakers. The document then provides a brief overview of the evolution of computing devices from simple calculators to modern powerful data processors.

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28 views4 pages

Document

This document provides an introduction to computer systems. It discusses the key components of a computer system including the central processing unit (CPU), memory, input/output devices, and storage devices. The CPU is described as the "brain" of the computer and is responsible for carrying out processing instructions. Common input devices include keyboards, mice, and touchscreens, while common output devices include monitors, printers, and speakers. The document then provides a brief overview of the evolution of computing devices from simple calculators to modern powerful data processors.

Uploaded by

manishkarnatak11.0118
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1.

1 Introduction to Computer System

A computer is an electronic device that can be

programmed to accept data (input), process it and

generate result (output). A computer along with

additional hardware and software together is called a

computer system.

A computer system primarily comprises of a central

processing unit, memory, input/output devices, and

storage devices. All these components function together

as a single unit to deliver the desired output. A computer

system comes in various forms and sizes. It can varyfrom a high-end server to a personal

desktop, laptop, tablet computer, or

smartphone.

Figure 1.1 shows the block diagram

of a computer system. The directed

lines represent the flow of data and

signal between the components.

1.1.1 Central Processing Unit (CPU)

It is the electronic circuitry of a

computer that carries out the actual

processing and is usually referred to

as the brain of the computer. It is also

commonly called 'processor' also. Physically, a CPU can

be placed on one or more microchips called integrated

circuits (IC). The ICs comprise semiconductor materials.

The CPU is given instructions and data through

programs. The CPU then fetches the program and data


from the memory and performs arithmetic and logical

operations as per the given instructions and stores the

result back to memory.

While processing, the CPU stores the data as well

as instructions in its local memory, 'called' registers.

Registers are part of the CPU chip and they are limited

in size and number. Different registers are used for

storing data, instructions or intermediate results.

Other than the registers, the CPU has two main

components — Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) and Control

Unit (CU). ALU performs all the arithmetic and logic

operations that need to be done as per the instruction in a

program. CU controls sequential instruction execution,

interprets instructions and guides data flow through the

computer’s memory, ALU and input or output devices.

CPU is also popularly known as microprocessor.

1.1.2 Input Devices

The devices through which control signals are sent

to a computer are termed as input devices. These

devices convert the input data into a digital form that is

acceptable by the computer system. Some examples of

input devices include keyboard, mouse, scanner, touch

screen, etc., as shown in Figure 1.2. Specially designed

braille keyboards are also available to help the visually

impaired for entering data into a computer. Besides, we can now enter data through voice, for example,
we can use Google voice search to search the web where we can

input the search string through our voice.

Data entered through input device is temporarily


stored in the main memory (also called RAM) of the

computer system. For permanent storage and future use,

the data as well as instructions are stored permanently

in additional storage locations called secondary memory.

1.1.3 Output Devices

The device that receives data from a computer system

for display, physical production, etc., is called output

device. It converts digital information into human-

understandable form. For example, monitor, projector,

headphone, speaker, printer, etc. Some output devices

are shown in Figure 1.3. A braille display monitor is

useful for a visually challenged person to understand

the textual output generated by computers.

A printer is the most commonly used device to get

output in physical (hardcopy) form. Three types of

commonly used printers are inkjet, laserjet and dot

matrix. Now-a-days, there is a new type of printer

called 3D-printer, which is used to build physical

replica of a digital 3D design. These printers are being

used in manufacturing industries to create prototypes

of products. Their usage is also being explored in the

medical field, particularly for developing body organs.

1.2 Evolution of Computer

From the simple calculator to a modern day powerful

data processor, computing devices have evolved in a


relatively short span of time. The evolution of computing

devices is shown through a timeline at Figure 1.5.

The Von Neumann architecture is shown in Figure

1.4. It consists of a Central Processing Unit (CPU)

for processing arithmetic and logical instructions, a

memory to store data and programs, input and output

devices and communication channels to send/receive

the output data. Electronic Numerical Integrator And

Computer (ENIAC) is the first

binary programmable computer

based on Von Neumann

architecture.

During the 1970s, Large Scale

Integration (LSI) of electronic

circuits allowed integration of

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