IT APPLICATION TOOLS IN BUSINESS what it is instructed to do, making either an

arithmetic computation or a logical

CHAPTER 2: HARDWARE AND MOBILE DEVICES comparison.

01 PROCESSOR 4. Store results. - Results are stored in the

 Central Processing Unit (CPU) or simply registers or in memory. The instruction and
processor is part of the computer that execution phases together make up one
sequences and executes instructions. machine cycle.

 Memory provides the processor with a PROCESSOR FAMILIES

working storage area to hold program
instruction and data. It rapidly provides data  The Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) of a
and instructions to the processor. computer defines the basic set of commands
(opcodes) that the processor can execute.
 Input/Output Devices provides data and
instructions to the computer and receives  A Processor Family is a set of processors
results from it. from the same manufacturer that have
similar features and capabilities. However,
 Data and instructions are routed to and from within each processor family, multiple
the various components over the bus, a set processors are developed to meet the many
of electronic circuits. diverse computing needs of consumers.

 Each processor produces a series of x86 family - Intel, AMD, and VIA Technologies.
electronic pulses at a predetermined rate, Servers based on the x86 processor dominate data
called the clock speed which governs the centers, and it is the world’s predominant personal
speed at which these steps are completed. computer processor.
Clock speed is measured in gigahertz (GHz),
Intel Atom - Brand new name for a line of ultra-low-
which is a unit of frequency that is equal to
voltage CPUs from Intel that is designed to generate
one billion cycles per second. less heat than the x86 chip.

EXECUTION OF AN INSTRUCTION ARM - These processors are used in computers that

run Android, iOS, and other operating systems found
1. Fetch instruction. - In the instruction phase, a in mobile devices such as laptops and smartphones.
program’s instructions and any necessary
 MULTIPROCESSING involves the simultaneous
data are read into the processor.
execution of two or more instructions at the
same time. One form of multiprocessing uses
2. Decode instruction. - The instruction is then coprocessors.
decoded by the control unit of the CPU so
that the central processor can understand a. Coprocessor speeds processing by
what to do. executing specific types of instructions
while the CPU works on another
processing activity.
3. Execute instruction. - The arithmetic and
logic unit (ALU) component of the CPU does
 b. Multicore Processor has two or more Like the CPU, memory devices contain thousands of
independent processing units, called circuits imprinted on silicon chips. Each circuit is
cores, which are capable of sequencing
either conducting electrical current (on) or not
and executing instructions.
conducting current (off).
PARALLEL COMPUTING is the simultaneous
execution of the same task on multiple processors to Data is stored in memory as a combination of on or
obtain results more quickly. off circuit states. Usually, 8 bits are used to represent
a character, such as the letter A. Eight bits together
MASSIVELY PARALLEL PROCESSING SYSTEM is a form a byte (B).
system that speeds processing by linking hundreds
or thousands of processors to operate at the same
time, or in parallel, with each processor having its In most cases, storage capacity is measured in bytes,
own bus, memory, disks, copy of the operating with 1 byte equivalent to one character of data.
system and application.
COMPUTER STORAGE UNITS
GRID COMPUTING is the use of a collection of
computers, often owned by multiple individuals or
organizations, that work in a coordinated manner to
solve a common problem.

MANUFACTURING PROCESSOR is an integrated

circuit (IC) -or chip- is a set of electronic circuits on
one small piece of semiconductor material, normally
silicon.

Processors and memory chips are examples of

integrated circuits. TYPES OF MEMORY

 A semiconductor fabrication plant (also  Instructions or data can be temporarily

called a fab or foundry) is a factory where stored in and read from random access
integrated circuits are manufactured. memory (RAM).
 Cache Memory is a type of high-speed
 Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL) is a memory that a processor can access more
highly complex process used in manufacturing rapidly than main memory to help ease this
computer chips with feature sizes that are bottleneck.
extremely small-measured in nanometers (nm)  Read-only memory (ROM), is a nonvolatile
or billionths of a meter. meaning that its contents are not lost if the
power is turned off or interrupted.
02 MEMORY
Main Memory provides the CPU with a working
storage area for program instructions and data. The
chief function of memory is rapidly providing data
and instructions to the CPU.
Frequently used data is stored in easily accessible Magnetic tape is a type of secondary storage
cache memory instead of slower memory, such as medium which is frequently used for storing
RAM because cache memory holds less data, the backups of critical organizational data in the event
CPU can access the desired data and instructions of a disaster.
more quickly that when selecting from the larger set-
in primary storage. \\ Hard Disk Drive (HDD) is a direct access storage
device used to store and retrieve data from rapidly
rotating disks coated with magnetic material.

A Redundant Array of Independent/Inexpensive

Disks (RAID) is a method of storing data that
generates extra bits of data from existing data,
allowing the system to create a “reconstruction
map” so that if a hard drive fails, it can rebuild lost
data.

Virtual Tape is a storage technology suitable for

less frequently needed data. With this tape systems,
data appears to be stored entirely on tape
cartridges, although some parts might be located
on faster hard disks.

The software associated with a virtual tape system

is sometimes called a virtual tape server.

An optical storage device uses special lasers to

03 SECONDARY DATA STORAGE DEVICES read and write data. The lasers record data by
physically burning pits in the disc.
Storing data safely and effectively Is critical to an
organization’s success.

Secondary Storage is a device that stores large

amounts of data, instructions, and information
more permanently than allowed with main memory.
It offers the advantages of nonvolatility with greater
capacity and greater economy.

Magnetic Storage uses tape or disk devices

covered with a thin magnetic coating that enables
data to be stored as magnetic particles.